Na Pu`uwai
- Project Title: Tobacco Cessation Program
- Program Representative Interviewed: Nicole Robello, Behavioral Health Program Director
- Location: Kaunakakai, HI
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Program Overview: Na Pu`uwai, a Native
Hawaiian organization on the island of Molokai, offers evidence-based tobacco cessation services to
patients. The behavioral health staff provides brief interventions based on the 5As model, as well as
more intensive tobacco cessation interventions for patients that require additional support. In
addition, Na Pu`uwai provides patients with nicotine replacement therapy free of charge and helps
facilitate access to other medications for smoking cessation.
As access to transportation can be limited in this rural community, Na Pu`uwai offers telephone counseling and provides culturally-tailored “quick kits” during the first counseling session to encourage long-term cessation efforts. These kits include materials that support exercise, including water bottles and pedometers, and oral alternatives to tobacco, such as sunflower seeds.