University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 Associate Professor Mapuana Antonio of the received two national awards from the (APHA) for her impact on Native Hawaiian health and climate justice.
Antonio’s leadership reflects her commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge into public health education, research and practice. She mentors students in ethical Indigenous research and ensures her work connects ʻā颈苍补 (land) and culture to Native Hawaiian health, fully integrating Indigenous perspectives into the field.
“Receiving these awards from APHA is truly an honor and reflects the collective work of our students and communities,” said Antonio, who serves as associate chair in the . “Indigenous knowledge continues to guide solutions for health, wellbeing, and climate justice, and I’m inspired by our students who carry this work forward intentionally with cultural grounding and with a deep sense of responsibility to our communities.”
Honoring ancestral knowledge, health equity
As the Queen Liliʻuokalani Endowed Professor in Native Hawaiian Culture, Antonio earned the APHA’s Emerging Leaders Award from the (ICTHP) section for her dedication to health equity.
“She exemplifies the heart of Native Hawaiian Indigenous health,” nominators said. “Her commitment to health equity has made a lasting impact with, for, and by Native Hawaiian communities and Indigenous peoples worldwide, and her work embodies the holistic approach that is at the core of ICTHP, by honoring ancestral knowledge with contemporary scientific research to restore health, resilience and wellbeing.”
Antonio also received the Student Champions for Climate Justice Award for guiding a multidisciplinary student team, including Melissa Kahili-Heede, Caleb Rivera, Camille McComas, Kiʻilaweau Aweau and Mākoa Miura, in organizing the Climate Justice Through Indigenous Knowledge Symposium in October 2025. The event served as a platform for scholars to address environmental sustainability through traditional practices.