The concept is both innovative and traditional: a conference for Hawaiian men and boys where they can talk about all the things it means to be male, to be Hawaiian, and to thrive in the contemporary world.

Kamana'opono Crabbe, Ph.D., came to the idea of the three-day gathering during his work as a clinical psychologist.

"There's overwhelming need to help our people — but how effective am I really going to be as one individual working with one family or one young boy?" Crabbe said. "One of my mentors always tried to encourage me to think of how to look at interventions not just for individuals but to really look at intervention targeting the masses."

The conference, called 'Aha Kane, will have workshops on body, mind, spiritual and cultural topics. Speakers will include Tommy Kaulukukui, John Keola Lake, Robert Kihune, Nainoa Thompson, Richard Paglinawan and Kyle Nakanelua.

There are many ways to be a Hawaiian male, many complexities. Topics range from substance abuse and incarceration to financing higher education to understanding cultural practices. But the underlying tenet is to help all Hawaiian men fulfill their responsibilities.

"The pou kihi, which is the corner post or the main post of the house — that is the role of the man, to be a role model," Crabbe says. "Our role as the conference organizers is to help him to build the foundation so that it stands upright and is solid. We're just providing all the venues and the resources to help him do that."

Non-Hawaiian men will not be turned away. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For single moms who want their sons to attend, organizers are hoping this provides an opportunity for the child to identify a mentor.

"If they don't have a spouse or partner ... , perhaps the mom can get an uncle or brother to take their son or nephew to the conference," Crabbe says.

In traditional Hawaiian culture, a boy around the age of 6 leaves his mother and his babyhood spent in the women's house to join his father and brothers in the Hale Mua, the men's house. Here, the men teach him how to be a man. In the 'Aha Kane conference, participants will gather, as in the Hale Mua, to teach, learn, encourage and inspire.

"A leader can be a 35-year-old man whose kids are in 'Aha Punana Leo and he has a full-time job," Crabbe says. "Sometimes we don't see leaders that way, but he's being a role model for his family. Looking at the spectrum of leadership, we need leadership at all levels, but it starts in our own 'ohana."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.