A Personal Message from Dr. Malia!
In 2015, I did something crazy! Not just kooky. I’m talking out of my mind cuckoo-NUTS! I quit my safe and comfortable job as a university professor and opened aplant-based restaurant.
That doesn’t sound too bad, right? Unless, of course, you consider these critical facts. First, I had absolutely no culinary training (yup!). Second, I had zero experience in the restaurant industry (zip-olah!) Third, the restaurant was located in Waimānalo, a small rural low-income community on the Eastside of O’ahu (East-siiiiide!). Fourth, Native Hawaiians were (and still are) the largest ethnic group represented in Waimānalo (kū ha’aheo).
Although I love that fact (because I’m a Hawaiian who lives there too), let’s face it. Hawaiians aren’t the most ideal target market for a plant-based joint (at least not at that time). I figured that out rather quickly after they repeatedly asked, “What’s vegan food?!”
How it all began...
Was I scared? Heck, yeah! Did people advise against it? You bet! Was I completely out of my comfort zone? Let’s just say I felt as comfortable as a vegan working in a butcher shop. NOT! Still, I did it anyway.
Why? Well, in 2014, I was hired to do an extensive study on Hawai’i’s food system (full report here: HDOA) and found that I was living in a food desert (despite Waimānalo’s agricultural zoning).
What’s that, you say? It’s a community filled with fast-food restaurants, convenience/liquor stores, and markets that sell limited healthy food options and few (to no) organic products.
Unsurprisingly, these neighborhoods usually have higher cardio-metabolic diseases and obesity rates. Conditions that negatively affect Native Hawaiian health.
If not you, then who?
I was pretty disturbed by this. However, the more I dug into the research, the angrier I got.
For example, I discovered that the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is significantly higher for Native Hawaiians. Also, since they have the lowest mean family income of all major ethnic groups in Hawai’i, many contend with inadequate nutrition and food insecurity issues.
“What the &#@*,” I thought. “Someone has to do something about this! But who?” I looked around and realized if I wanted change, I had to do something about it myself.
A plant-based restaurant is born!
So, in August 2015, I launched ‘Ai Love Nalo. Yup, I did it! I opened a fully plant-based restaurant smack dab in the middle of a food desert. Fortunately, together with the help of our fantastic team, loyal customers, and supportive community we built something GREAT.
Over time, we were awarded the best healthy restaurant in Hawai’i, won numerous Ilima Awards, and secured top spots in the vegetarian/vegan cuisine category by culinary experts. We were featured in magazines, newspapers, videos, and TV shows including an international airline in-flight program. We even made the front cover of the popular Honolulu Magazine.
A call for help...
Initially, our only goal was to offer healthier food options for our community. Yet, as fate would have it, that soon changed.
About a year after we opened, I met a young man who needed heart surgery. However, he couldn’t have the procedure done until he lost some weight.
“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” he said. “I can’t seem to shake off the pounds. Can you help?” “Of course,” I replied.
To start, I fed him two plant-based meals each day for two months to help break his addiction to salt, sugar, and fat. I also taught him about nutrition and gave him simple tips and tricks to improve his diet.
By the end of week ten, he lost 26 pounds and had a successful surgery. I guess the word got out because soon afterward, I started receiving calls about my “new health coaching service.”
Building the wellness program
Obviously, there was a need, and I had to figure out a way to help. Luckily, I had a doctorate in education and knew a thing or two about student learning, curriculum development, and the psychology of change. I also had a professional certificate in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies from eCornell. Plus, I did post-graduate research in health, nutrition, and sustainability.
Therefore, relying on my experience, I slowly developed the ‘Ai Love Health Wellness Program. Centered around my 7 Elements of Health model that incorporates seven interdependent factors.
They include physical health: Aloha Ke Kino, psychological health: Aloha Ka Mana’o, financial health: Aloha Hana, ecological health: Aloha Ka Honua, socio-cultural health: Aloha Kākou, economic health: Aloha Kōkua, and spiritual health: Aloha Ke Akua – all the ingredients that embody holistic health.
Plant-based program shows remarkable results
I am so proud and happy to say that we have helped many people through our program. The results speak for themselves. For instance, clients have lost 5, 15, 45, to upwards of 120 pounds within a year. Others have experienced significant reductions in their glycated hemoglobin levels, glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Many have reversed their pre-diabetic conditions, increased their energy and sense of community, and improved their overall mental health. One participant reduced her A1c from 6.3 to 5.8 in less than nine months. Another decreased her glucose from 239 to 126 and cholesterol from 152 to 115 in four months!
My primary goal
Sadly, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, we had to stop our program temporarily. However, over the last two years we have improved the model, wrote a book, and expanded the program curriculum. We also created this site to provide you easy access to the content we cover in the program through blogs, videos, and online classes.
Ultimately, my primary goal is to provide you with short lessons, smart tips, and simple tricks that you can use to heal your body, nourish your spirit, and attain optimal health (or what I call, TRUE WELLTH)!
Thank you for joining me here! I am both humbled and blessed to be a part of your wellness journey.
With Aloha & Light be well,
About Dr. Malia
Dr. Malia holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Her post-graduate training includes studies in self-efficacy, leadership, and plant-based nutrition.
As a business owner, researcher, lecturer, and consultant, her interest lies in nutrition, health education, the food industry, and sustainability.
These are critical components of holistic healing. Dr. Malia strives to be the living example of everything she teaches, treasures her relationships with people, animals, and nature, and has a deep passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge with others.