Michael Parkin

Colonization has impacted Native Hawaiians for centuries, destroying culture, language, and community, and exacerbating disasters such as COVID-19. However, a renaissance of Hawaiian culture has emerged, marked by increased longevity, education, and social mobility among Native Hawaiians. In this restorative spirit, we present Kaona, a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) and digital storyteller, designed to foster youth wellbeing from a Native Hawaiian perspective, by introducing the values of lōkahi (harmony). Kaona engages players in culturally revitalizing gameplay, integrating technologies to enrich immersion as players collaborate to restore balance to the realms they explore. Players problem-solve, self-reflect, and build community as they navigate complex quests inspired by local lived experiences and Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories and legends). This paper details Kaona’s development, iterative playtesting, and our initial observations, presenting culturally restorative, community-informed RPGs as a promising avenue for empowering Native Hawaiian youth, fostering community wellbeing, and inspiring Indigenous futures.