The Impact of Policy and Practice Development Efforts on Service Delivery

Hawaii’s unique environment combines geographic isolation with a richness of cultural and economic diversity. The state is a veritable mosaic of interests, ethnicities, cultures, communities, and values. According to the Hawaii’s Vital Statistics 2001 Report (Hawaii Department of Health, 2002), 19.8% of general population is Caucasian, 21.3% are Hawaiian, 21.6% are Japanese, 15.7% are Filipino. A large group of Hawaii’s residents identify themselves as being of other ethnic groups or mixed ethnicity (21.5%). There is a wide variance in community structure as well. Honolulu is one of the largest cities in the United States, withmore than 1million people in the greater metropolitan area. The city facesmany of the challenges that plague other urban areas in the United States, including poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and unemployment. Outside of Honolulu, Hawaii is primarily composed of isolated small towns and rural communities. These communities struggle with common challenges facing rural areas, such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and scarcity of resources. Hawaii also has an informed and critical attitude toward change. The anthropology and social science literature is replete with examples of