04/22/2026
As we reflect on this , we acknowledge the intrinsic connection between Public Health and Climate.
This past Saturday, 50 Public Health students participated in a community-driven event centered on mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). They contributed by giving back to the land through native tree planting with the Aloha Tree Alliance on Oahu.
Faculty, Dr. Jasmine Wagner and Dr. Anela LaBore, organized this event for the Public Health students, enhancing community and cultural experiences for our Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students, particularly those in HC 306, Health Disparities and Indigenous Health.
Public Health professionals plan for and respond to air pollution, which impacts cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and upper respiratory illness; changes in temperature, which can lead to heat stroke, new viruses, and increased disease; as well as increased flooding and water run-off, which can increase the risk of illness in vulnerable populations.
As our Public Health students joined other volunteers in celebrating Earth Day by helping to restore the native forest along Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge, they learned about the history of Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge and deepened their understanding of the importance of mālama ʻāina.
AAloha Tree Alliance
