The impoverishment of native Hawaiians and the social work challenge.

Native Hawaiians, the people indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands, are impoverished in quality of life. Only recently has the myth that native Hawaiians are a carefree people living in a tropical paradise been dispelled. The number of health and mental health problems confronting native Hawaiians is alarming; their general health status is far below that of other U.S. population groups. It is urgent that social workers begin to examine the unique circumstances of native Hawaiians and encourage professional support for the planning of culturally appropriate services for this population.