The University of Hawaiʻi accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

Hawaiʻi received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across 东精影业, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university鈥檚 role in advancing health research and innovation in Hawaiʻi.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH鈥檚 shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of Hawaiʻi researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, 东精影业 interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at 东精影业:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at 东精影业 Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the 东精影业 Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related 东精影业 News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related 东精影业 News story)

A University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center study aimed at understanding mesothelioma (a rare, aggressive cancer) in people with inherited BAP1 gene mutations has received a $1-million, five-year All-Star Translational Award from the . The project is led by researchers Michele Carbone and Haining Yang, who previously identified the condition they named “BAP1 Cancer Syndrome.” Individuals born with these mutations may develop multiple cancer types over their lifetime, most commonly mesothelioma.

Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 Cancer Center identifies treatable form of mesothelioma

Their earlier research, which contributed to a National Cancer Institute surgical clinical trial studying families with the BAP1 mutation over more than 20 years, suggests that tumors arising in some mutation carriers are less invasive and less likely to spread into nearby tissues and organs.

The new project will build on these findings to examine why some BAP1-mutant patients survive longer and identify the biological mechanisms that limit tumor invasion and spread.

“Understanding why some tumors are less invasive opens new possibilities for identifying mechanisms that could guide new therapeutic strategies for mesothelioma,” Carbone said.

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and community members are invited to the free workshop “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” hosted by the 鈥檚 Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 9鈥�11 a.m. at the Sullivan Conference Center.

东精影业ees will learn how trials work, hear from experts and patient panelists, and explore how participation shapes future care. The event will follow with light refreshments and a preview of the new 贬辞ʻ艒濒补 Early Phase Clinical Research Center, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Participants can attend in-person and via Zoom. .

‘Where research turns into real hope’

“Clinical trials are where research turns into real hope,” said Naoto T. Ueno, director of the 东精影业 Cancer Center and a two-time cancer survivor. “They give patients access to promising therapies and new possibilities.”

Clinical trials allow patients to receive new treatments or new combinations of existing therapies, often before they are widely available, while being closely monitored by research teams.

Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 cancer support network champions patient advocacy

The 东精影业 Cancer Center administers nearly 90% of cancer clinical trials in Hawaiʻi. Its new 贬辞ʻ艒濒补 facility will expand access to early-phase trials locally.

The workshop also marks the one-year anniversary of the Cancer CARE Community and honors founder Susan Hirano, whose vision continues to support and empower those affected by cancer. Since launching, the Cancer CARE Community has connected hundreds statewide, continuing Hirano鈥檚 legacy of hope and support.

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The , in partnership with Google Cloud, will host a landmark full-day workshop on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, titled, “Accelerating Research in the Age of AI: A Synergistic Workshop with Google.” The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sullivan Conference Center, 东精影业 Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu.

Designed to reflect the 东精影业‘s unique geographic and cultural context, the workshop will highlight how academic-industry partnerships can strengthen research capacity by expanding access to advanced AI tools, high-performance computing and specialized technical expertise. The program is open to 东精影业 faculty, investigators, trainees and students across biomedical, population, ocean, earth and computational sciences.

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“This workshop represents an exciting opportunity for 东精影业 researchers to engage directly with Google’s leading AI scientists and tools,” said John Shepherd, chief scientific officer at the 东精影业 Cancer Center, who is organizing the workshop. “We are committed to building the infrastructure and partnerships that will propel our research into the next generation of discovery.”

Workshop highlights

The agenda features a lineup of renowned speakers and interactive sessions, including:

• Keynote: “AI Co-Scientist System and Gemini-Based Research Tools,” presented by Charlie Elliot, lead of rapid innovation, Google Public Sector;
• Flash Talks: Great Challenges Across Disciplines—featuring Peter Sadowski (associate professor, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补), István Szapudi (theoretical cosmologist, Institute for Astronomy, 东精影业), and Justin Stopa (associate professor, Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补);
• Deep Dive Sessions covering your “Modern Research Toolkit” (Francisco Gonzalez, application modernization specialist architect, Google Public Sector) and “Federated Learning for Global Collaboration” (Tom Denton, research scientist, Google DeepMind/Google Research);
• Student Poster Competition, with Google-sponsored awards for the best presentations, judged during the Google-sponsored lunch break;
• Co-Designing Breakouts in which participants brainstorm high-impact solutions in three focus areas: AI for hypothesis generation, Google’s cloud tools and federated learning.

The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion and vision synthesis identifying a roadmap for future 东精影业-Google collaboration, along with the announcement of poster competition award winners.

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The genesis of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community began not in Kaka驶ako, but during a visit to a breast cancer specialist in Texas. There, Susan and Peter Hirano first heard about Naoto Ueno, who would soon become director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center.

After Ueno relocated to Hawaiʻi, the Hiranos connected with him, and Susan shared her vision: a supportive space where cancer patients, families and caregivers could access information, education and emotional support.

Read more 东精影业 Giving Day stories

Diagnosed with stage-four metastatic breast cancer in October 2021, Susan immersed herself in research, exploring clinical trials and consulting with specialists at leading institutions.

“She had an intense and fierce determination to live,” Peter said. “So, in addition to researching the science of the disease, she explored other ways to supplement her medical treatments, from reiki massages and naturopathic treatments to acupuncture, meditation and diet.”

Empowering patients, building community

Susan brought that same determination to her medical appointments, encouraging patients to actively participate in their care. That philosophy became the foundation of the Cancer CARE Community—CARE representing Community, Awareness, Research and Emotional Well-Being.

Her vision became reality on April 5, 2025, when the 东精影业 Cancer Center launched the program.

“I remember that she wasn’t feeling very well that morning,” Peter recalled. “But she told me, ‘Just get me there, and the people will lift me up.’”

During the inaugural workshop, Susan spoke for 25 minutes, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and asking questions. The event culminated in an emotional surprise: the program was officially named in her honor.

“She was blown away,” Peter said. “She had no idea that the team was going to name the program the ‘Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community.’ I am so proud of the legacy she has built.”

Less than two weeks later, on April 18, 2025, Susan passed away peacefully at home.

Sustaining the legacy on Giving Day

Today, the program continues her legacy, offering quarterly workshops that provide holistic support for patients, survivors and caregivers. More than 550 people have attended events so far, with many returning regularly.

“The event was ‘empowering’ to learn about the true value of empowerment––how to find peace with our situation, our thoughts and our choice,” commented one attendee in an evaluation survey.

More 东精影业 News stories about Susan C. Hirano and her legacy

Community support is vital to help the CARE Community reach more cancer patients, families and caregivers across Hawaiʻi.

As the community comes together for 东精影业 Giving Day, Peter wants potential donors to know that their contributions aren鈥檛 just abstract numbers.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps ensure the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community can continue providing trusted resources, connection and support for those facing cancer across Hawaiʻi—just as Susan envisioned.

about the Cancer CARE Community, make a gift and explore other Giving Day opportunities.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is part of a new $3.5 million multi-state project to improve cervical cancer screening and follow-up at primary care clinics in Hawaiʻi, Florida and Massachusetts. The Hawaiʻi portion, led by Holly Fontenot, associate dean for research and professor at the and faculty member of the , is supported by a major five–year, R01 award from the National Institutes of Health.

The project, Development of Systems and Education for Cervical Cancer Prevention (DOSE–CC), will adapt, validate and test interventions designed to boost cervical cancer prevention and follow-up care across diverse populations.

Fontenot brings experience from her prior work in women鈥檚 health and HPV-associated cancer prevention, and is one of four multiple principal investigators collaborating with Boston Medical Center, Tufts University and the Moffitt Cancer Center. The Hawaiʻi research team also includes Komal Soin and Patty Tran from the .

“This award reflects the strength of our ongoing research partnerships and the importance of multidisciplinary teams working together to develop effective, sustainable and impactful multi-level interventions that help to transform the current paradigm in cancer screening and follow-up,” Fontenot said.

The project builds on previous studies, including Cervical Cancer: Provider Response and Options of Guidelines Related to Screening Strategies (CC PROGRESS), funded by the American Cancer Society, and DOSE–HPV, which successfully increased HPV vaccination rates.

By combining clinical research with community engagement, the project seeks to develop sustainable, effective interventions that can be scaled nationally — including across the U.S. Work on DOSE–CC is already underway and is expected to be completed by 2030.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green emphasized that cancer research and medical science are not only matters of public health, but also essential to national and global security, during a roundtable discussion at the ’s 17th Annual on January 23.

The three-day international symposium, held January 21–23, at the 东精影业 Cancer Center in Kakaʻako, brought together leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to share cutting-edge discoveries in cancer genetics and environmental carcinogenesis — the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influence cancer risk and treatment outcomes.

Cuts, costs, commitment

Speaking before nearly 100 attendees including international and U.S. cancer researchers, 东精影业 faculty, students and community members, Green addressed concerns about the future of medical research amid rising costs and federal funding cuts. The discussion was moderated by Michele Carbone, co-founder of the Weinman Symposium and director of thoracic oncology at the 东精影业 Cancer Center.

Cancer does not know a red state or a blue state.
—Gov. Josh Green

“The challenges are many, but there鈥檚 no question that states can help,” said Green. He pointed to a plan to provide an additional $7.5 million to the 东精影业 Cancer Center to help sustain research momentum during a difficult fiscal period.

Green warned that reductions in federal research funding threaten the nation鈥檚 ability to respond to future health crises and stressed that science should transcend politics.

“Cancer does not know a red state or a blue state,” he said. “It doesn鈥檛 know ideology. This is something we should commit ourselves to for humanity.”

He also tied biomedical research directly to global security, citing emerging technologies such as RNA-based research and vaccines. “If we don鈥檛 fund important research and someone else does—and they control that scientific discipline—we鈥檙e not just at a disadvantage during outbreaks,” Green said. “It鈥檚 unsafe to have monolithic control of major technologies.”

东精影业 Cancer Center Director Naoto Ueno expressed appreciation for the governor鈥檚 support. “His vision, making sure that there is long-term cancer research, really makes a big difference,” Ueno said. “There are 70,000 people in Hawaiʻi with cancer. The only way to cure cancer for future generations is to advance research.”

Green also presented the 2026 Weinman Award to Antoni Ribas of UCLA, a leader in cancer immunotherapy research.

Read more at the .

Cancer patients traveling off-island for treatment. K奴puna waiting months to see a neurologist. Rural communities struggling to access behavioral health and addiction services. These challenging realities are driving the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents request for $3,724,600 to expand Hawaiʻi鈥檚 healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands.

The funding would support 东精影业鈥檚 new Health Science and Healthcare Interdisciplinary Workforce Initiative, a coordinated hire request that would add 18.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) clinician and faculty positions across five health sciences units to address severe shortages in high-need medical fields, including cancer, neurology and dementia, and behavioral health integration and addiction medicine.

“东精影业 has a kuleana to the people and ʻāina of Hawaiʻi, and that responsibility drives us to focus on solutions that make a real difference in our communities,” said 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel. “By strengthening our healthcare workforce, we can train more providers and expand access to care for kupuna and families across all islands.”

Expanding the healthcare pipeline, patient care

The coordinated hire would add clinician faculty who both train future healthcare providers and deliver direct patient care in rural and underserved communities across the state.

“The goal is to improve access to care across all islands by providing direct clinical services and addressing shortages in underserved communities,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This coordinated request for positions will increase the workforce pipeline by training more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other health providers essential to providing high quality care for patients with dementia, addictions, or other behavioral health challenges.”

Addressing high-priority health needs

The initiative spans five 东精影业 units—东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , the , the , the , and the 东精影业 Hilo —and focuses on clinician leaders and researchers working with state and health system partners through community-based, interprofessional approaches aligned with legislative priorities.

Funding would be directed toward three high-priority health areas identified as critical needs for the state:

• Cancer ($1,674,400; 6.35 FTE): Establishing an accredited hematology-oncology fellowship and expanding clinical research capacity.
• Neurology and Dementia ($1,162,200; 7.40 FTE): Creating an accredited neurology residency program and expanding the K奴puna Workforce Innovation Hub.
• Behavioral Health Integration and Addiction Medicine ($888,000; 4.75 FTE): Expanding the Education and Research Center of Addiction Medicine and enhancing telehealth services.
• Beyond direct patient care, the initiative would support statewide continuing education in dementia care and behavioral health–primary care integration, consistent with Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and legislative priorities.

Targeted request in a tight budget climate

The initiative is one of two high-priority items in 东精影业鈥檚 $18.8 million supplemental operating budget request () for fiscal year 2026–27, introduced amid slowing state revenue growth.

“We purposefully limited the request to major strategic items that are time-sensitive and provide essential benefits to both the state and the university,” said 东精影业 Vice President for Budget and Finance Luis Salaveria. “Given the current fiscal climate, this approach allows 东精影业 to focus its resources on areas where the need is greatest, and the impact on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 communities will be most immediate.”

Caring for a loved one with cancer can be isolating, but more than 100 people found support, education and connection at “Caring for Caregivers,” a free interactive workshop held January 17, at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center in Kaka驶ako.

Presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, the quarterly workshop brought together in-person and online participants to learn about caregiver research, practice journaling for emotional processing, and take part in facilitated breakout discussions for caregivers and for patients, survivors and thrivers.

“Caregiving can feel very lonely. But the message we want to convey to all caregivers is: You’re not alone,” said Peter Hirano, whose late wife, Susan Hirano, was a patient advocate and founder of the Cancer CARE Community. He shared personal reflections from his wife’s cancer journey and emphasized the importance of self-care and connection.

‘Acknowledge, uplift, educate and empower’

In Hawaiʻi, more than 70,000 people are living with cancer, and about one in four adults are family caregivers. Hirano said the event was designed to “acknowledge, uplift, educate and empower caregivers, who often are among the unsung heroes of the cancer journey.”

Featured speakers included Kevin Cassel, associate director for community outreach and engagement at the 东精影业 Cancer Center, who highlighted current caregiver research and practical resources for patients and families. Faryal Michaud, a palliative care physician and certified life and wellness coach, led participants through a journaling exercise focused on reframing anxious or overwhelming thoughts.

“It is important to connect with other people in your environment and your community, to talk and hold space for each other,” Michaud said. “Your experience as a caregiver is legitimate and important as well.”

The next free workshop, “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” will be held April 18. More information is available at the

Director Naoto Ueno and his wife, Miwa Ueno, have announced an estate gift to the to establish the Michiko, Miwa, and Naoto Ueno Memorial Fund鈥攁n endowed fund that will provide long-term, unrestricted support for the 东精影业 Cancer Center鈥檚 most pressing needs.

The gift reflects a deeply personal commitment to the future of cancer care and research in Hawaiʻi, shaped by family, gratitude and a sense of responsibility to the community the Uenos now call home.

“This gift comes from gratitude and responsibility—a deep sense of kuleana, our shared obligation to give back to the community that has welcomed us so warmly,” said Ueno. “We are grateful for the care and hope we鈥檝e experienced through the Cancer Center, and we feel a responsibility to help ensure future generations in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific will have access to even stronger cancer care and research.”

…cancer care is never just about science or medicine: it鈥檚 about people, their stories and the legacy we leave behind.
—Naoto Ueno

The fund is named for Miwa鈥檚 mother, Michiko Ueno, whose success in international business helped make the gift possible; Miwa, whose values shape the couple鈥檚 vision; and Naoto, whose life鈥檚 work has been dedicated to advancing cancer research and care.

“The fund鈥檚 name carries deep meaning,” Naoto said. “Each name reminds us that cancer care is never just about science or medicine: it鈥檚 about people, their stories and the legacy we leave behind.”

As director, Naoto has led efforts to expand clinical trials, increase access for patients across the islands and strengthen the 东精影业 Cancer Center鈥檚 research excellence. The endowed fund will provide the flexibility to respond to emerging needs with timeliness and impact.

“Our hope is that this fund will empower the Cancer Center for years to come, supporting groundbreaking research, expanding clinical trials, and opening doors to education and outreach,” Ueno said. “We want this legacy to give the Center the courage to stay bold and innovative—unafraid to lead.”

A survivor of both myelodysplastic syndrome and sarcoma, Ueno said his most affirming moments come when research translates into real-world impact.

“I do not want anyone in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to go through the same suffering I went through. And the only way to cure cancer is through research,” he said.

Read the full story on the .