LIFE THEMES OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN FEMALE ELDERS - RESOURCES FOR CULTURALPRESERVATION

Women of color represent a growing segment of the rapidly increasing a ging population in the United States, and yet descriptive and epidemio logical data on this population remain sparse. This article examines t he life experiences of aging native Hawaiian women. Oral history metho dology is used to collect information on the life experiences of six f emale elders (kupuna) to identify life themes and cultural values and, more important, to contribute to cultural preservation. Implications for social work policy and research are identified.