Pictured: N. Kauʻi Baumhofer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health
Aloha, Kauʻi! Can you describe what you do at JABSOM?
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health. My research explores the social, cultural, and environmental contexts that influence the dietary behaviors of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. I want to understand how our history and our environment has changed our diets over the past 200 or so years and what effect that change has had on our health. Globalization and the evolution of the social meaning of food in the Pacific is especially interesting to me. For example, Spam’s social journey from war ration to beloved cultural symbol and the health consequences of this social journey are fascinating.
What do you like most about the UH medical school?
Not only are we physically located a block from the beautiful Pacific Ocean, but academically, we are located at the center of a highly innovative, multinational region. Our cultural, geographic, and academic location exposes us to new ideas on a daily basis.
How long have you been with the University? What other kinds of work have you done?
I began working for the Department of Native Hawaiian Health in 2006 as a Graduate Research Assistant while completing my Master’s in Pacific Islands Studies at University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa. After completing my graduate degrees, I knew I wanted to return as a faculty member and was able to do so in January of 2017. I have also done research in substance abuse and American Indian infant mortality in Hawaiʻi and on the continental U.S.
What is your favorite hobby (or two or three!)?
Hiking, cooking, and photography.
Where is your favorite spot in Hawai’i?
My favorite spot in Hawaiʻi is as far up in the Ko‘olau Mountains as I can get. There is nothing more peaceful than sitting, all alone, at the top of the island, listening to the birds and the wind and nothing else.
How about your favorite place outside of Hawai’i?
There is a remote campsite on the slopes of Mt. Greylock in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. I camped there often while living in Boston and it became my haven away from the city.
What else would you like folks to know about you?
When I lived in Massachusetts I used to freeze bags of poi and take them back in my suitcase with me. One time, I was a couple of pounds overweight and figured I would just have to leave some of the poi behind. When I unzipped my bag, the ticket agent saw the poi and asked if I was a college student. When I said I was and that I had to ration my poi between trips home she said, “No worries, Bebe. You just take ‘um. It’s okay.” On that day, she was my angel.
IT IS YOUR TURN! WE WELCOME FACULTY AND STAFF PROFILES!
We’re so pleased Kauʻi was willing to share about herself. We invite faculty and staff to download our questionnaire, and then send it in to Tina Shelton in JABSOM Communications, so that we may put the spotlight on you! Download: “YOU are the story” form