A children¡¯s storybook developed through the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ is now available in ʻŌlelo Â鶹´«Ã½, offering Hawaiian-speaking families a new resource to support loved ones with dementia.
P¨mai L¨¡ua ʻo Papa: Ka Wā Kamaliʻi a me ka Makua Poina Wale: Pehea e M¨¡lama ai i n¨¡ Mea Koʻikoʻi loa is the Hawaiian-language version of P¨mai and Her Papa: Growing Up Around Memory Loss and Holding on to What Matters Most, originally published in English.
Expanding access
The translation, led by at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s , helps meet a growing need for culturally and linguistically relevant resources for Hawaiian-speaking families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer¡¯s disease and dementia.
Related UH News story: ʻŌlelo Â鶹´«Ã½ for elder care, February 2025
Translating medical concepts such as “geriatrician” and “social worker” into ʻŌlelo Â鶹´«Ã½ required the thoughtful creation of new terms. It reflects the commitment to improving access for the increasing number of Hawaiian language speakers.
“We wanted to contribute to increasing language access for Hawaiian speakers by having P¨mai L¨¡ua ʻo Papa available everywhere P¨mai and Her Papa is already available,” said H¨¡ K¨±puna graduate assistant Kepo ʻo Keliʻipaʻakaua, who led the project.
Understanding dementia together
The initiative was prompted by H¨¡ K¨±puna¡¯s joint advisory committee, which identified a pressing need for Hawaiian-language eldercare materials. Both versions of the storybook help families recognize the signs of dementia, understand the difference between memory loss and normal aging, and connect with support services.
Initially, partners at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center requested a small number of ʻŌlelo Â鶹´«Ã½ copies for outreach kits to houseless families.
“There was such an interest, even among volunteers, that they requested more Hawaiian language books,” said Shelley Muneoka of H¨¡ K¨±puna. “It¡¯s so exciting to see the enthusiasm for this resource!”
By the end of 2025, more than 1,500 copies of the English book will have been distributed, and nearly 350 Hawaiian language copies will join them in public and school libraries statewide.
In Â鶹´«Ã½, where multigenerational homes are common, and dementia rates are rising, P¨mai L¨¡ua ʻo Papa offers families a child-friendly way to talk about memory loss and support k¨±puna with care and compassion.
To download the books or request printed copies, visit H¨¡ K¨±puna¡¯s website or email Shelley Muneoka at muneokas@hawaii.edu.