At the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, students are leading efforts to address period poverty—the inability to afford menstrual products and limited access to menstrual education and care—recognized as both a public health and equity issue in Hawaiʻi.

A found 43% of 东精影业 students who menstruate have experienced period poverty, about three times the national average. Those affected are more likely to face food insecurity, severe depression and academic disruption.

Student-led drives expand campus support

Graduate student Jenny Brown and undergraduate student Lovely Molina, both from a College of Engineering , organized “Flow Forward” period product drives in October 2025 and February 2026, collecting 2,679 pads and tampons for the campus . They also hosted kit-making events to support distribution and awareness.

“These efforts aim to institutionalize this as a permanent budget priority, providing equitable and sustainable access to basic hygiene is a strategic investment in student success and retention—and what’s needed now is senior leadership to champion it to the finish line,” said Brown.

Overlapping needs

The Food Vault was chosen because period poverty often overlaps with food and housing insecurity, allowing one access point to meet multiple needs. Brown and Molina also coordinate with student groups, alumni, nonprofits and faculty advisors Yuka Polovina of the Department of Public Health Sciences and Teresa Bill of Womenʻs Center/SEED program.

“I’m so proud of our students who demonstrate this level of passion and initiative to address this critical public health issue,” said Polovina. “And at the same time, it concerns me that they shoulder this burden as students.”

In 2023, the State Senate passed Senate Resolution 23 urging the 东精影业 System to provide free menstrual products across campuses. Implementation remains limited due to infrastructure and funding challenges.

“Implementing an ‘unfunded resolution’ is challenging on a campus with more than 300 Women’s and All Gender restrooms, controlled by three different entities,” said Bill. “Selecting new locations will take into account ‘high traffic’ areas as well as product ‘deserts,’ but this is a long-term project.”

While systemwide efforts continue, students remain the primary drivers of immediate support through donation drives, nonprofit partnerships like , and advocacy.

“Providing period products for students should not be another student’s responsibility,” said Molina. “We started this drive without high expectations of getting many donations and seeing my peers raise this much product blows my mind.”

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)

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Associate Professor Denise Nelson-Hurwitz has been named the 2026 recipient of the . Nelson-Hurwitz was honored at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon in March in Arlington, Virginia.

A faculty member in the at the , she was recognized for her outstanding contributions to undergraduate public health education, including innovation in teaching, leadership in program development and student engagement.

“It’s wonderful to see the work being done by 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s undergraduate program and students highlighted in this way and a tremendous honor to have been nominated by my students and peers,” Nelson-Hurwitz said.

Expanding access, supporting success

An 东精影业 alumna and first-generation college graduate, Nelson-Hurwitz is deeply rooted in her community. She has focused her career on expanding access to higher education and supporting student success by building inclusive pathways into public health, and increasing diversity in the field. She co-developed and co-led the Community Health Scholars program, which engages diverse high school students in immersive research and practice experiences.

For more than a decade, she served as chair of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s , overseeing curriculum development, course sequencing and program assessment. She also helped create a public health minor, expanding access for students across disciplines.

Students praised Nelson-Hurwitz for her supportive teaching, mentorship and dedication to preparing future public health professionals. She is known for going above and beyond inside and outside the classroom.

“Winning this national award from the ASPPH highlights Denise Nelson-Hurwitz驶s extraordinary ability to inspire students and her tireless work in ensuring our curriculum remains both innovative and impactful,” said Jane Chung-Do, department chair. “We are honored to have such a dedicated leader on our faculty.”

As Hawaiʻi鈥檚 population ages, an award-winning public health graduate student is working to improve policies that help k奴puna (older adults) live safely and independently.

Kevin Peralta, a master of public health student in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 , recently received the at the Hawaiʻi Pacific Gerontological Society 2025 conference. The award recognizes emerging leaders in aging research and highlights Peralta’s work on aging in place and fall prevention.

At the conference, Peralta delivered an oral presentation on fall risk factors, related health outcomes and the need for stronger prevention efforts.

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among adults 65 and older in Hawaiʻi, yet prevention remains underprioritized across legislation, insurance coverage and social services. Peralta鈥檚 work aims to inform stronger policy solutions.

“Too often, I observed older adults experiencing declines in mental health after losing their ability to live independently and with dignity,” Peralta said. “Many families rely on home modifications to keep their loved ones safe, but these preventive measures are often financially out of reach for low-income households. Institutionalization should be a last resort. More can and should be done to prevent falls and support people to remain safely in their homes.”

Turning research into action

During his practicum with Thrive for Life, Peralta helped develop lobbying strategies supporting the reintroduction of a Caregiver Tax Credit bill in 2026, which would give families tax relief to help cover costs of caring for older relatives at home. He also explored ways to expedite permits for home modifications and helped plan statewide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rallies in July 2025.

More can and should be done to prevent falls and support people to remain safely in their homes.
—Kevin Peralta

“Aging is something we will all experience,” Peralta said. “Supporting positive changes in current health policies, implementing aging-related health interventions, and providing financial stability for the aging population, would improve the quality of life for all persons through every phase of life.”

Expected to graduate in May 2026, Peralta plans to continue advancing policy solutions that support aging with dignity in Hawaiʻi.

“Kevin is making a difference in the community by integrating his academic research with community needs and policy action in his MPH degree,” said Tetine Sentell, a professor in public health and his advisor. “We are very proud of him and happy to see these important collaborations thriving.”

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 东精影业 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 东精影业 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 东精影业 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the UH law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

东精影业 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

东精影业 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is gaining national visibility for its work on clinician well-being. Assistant Professor Frankie B. Hale, has been selected as a Changemaker Accelerator in Cohort 2 of the , a yearlong program that brings together national leaders to develop and scale innovative strategies for improving clinician resilience and well-being.

The selection recognizes Hale鈥檚 research on reducing burnout and supporting well-being in nurses. Her work focuses on translating evidence-based strategies into practical tools for students and faculty, helping prepare the next generation of clinicians for sustainable careers in healthcare. Hale also contributes to the State of Well-Being Project through the Hawaiʻi Governor鈥檚 Office of Wellness and Resilience.

Expanding impact through national collaboration

Through the NAM program, Hale will work with national leaders鈥攊ncluding the American Nurses Association (ANA)鈥攖o expand evidence-based strategies developed with community partners. Using a simulation learning model, her project provides student nurses with practical tools to strengthen their well-being and resilience as they navigate the demands of clinical work.

“I鈥檓 excited to bring what we鈥檙e learning here in Hawaiʻi to a national stage, and then bring back strategies and resources that can make a real difference for our students and faculty,” Hale said. “This work is about more than measuring burnout鈥攊t鈥檚 about creating sustainable ways to support the well-being of the people who care for our communities every day.”

By the end of the program, Hale hopes to build lasting peer-to-peer partnerships with national leaders and translate those lessons into actionable programs at 东精影业, advancing the school鈥檚 mission to train the next generation of clinicians who thrive in their professional and personal lives.

In the wake of historic flooding on Oʻahu鈥檚 North Shore, University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) students continue to provide care where it鈥檚 urgently needed. On March 23, JABSOM鈥檚 Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) Project—a student-run initiative that provides free healthcare to unsheltered and underserved communities—set up an on-site clinic at Waialua Elementary, treating 25 patients with a team of 16 student volunteers under the guidance of faculty.

“We鈥檝e been seeing a wide range of patients. We鈥檝e seen a fair amount with wounds and infections, probably from the storm water,” said Jill Omori, H.O.M.E. Project director.

Other patients sought care for back pain, joint pain and eye infections, conditions that can worsen when access to routine care is disrupted.

“We also saw people with GI (gastrointestinal) problems because of the contaminated water, but also just regular medical issues like hypertension or diabetes that still need to be controlled,” Omori said.

Student dedication and rural health disparities

The clinic weaves hands-on care into the JABSOM curriculum, but Omori said the majority of the students today came on their own time.

“A lot of times, the students come down to the North Shore and do service projects here and there,” Omori said. “But something like this really hits home for them. It鈥檚 really nice for them to be able to give back to the community this way.”

Second-year medical student Michael Ajimura saw that impact firsthand.

“A lot of people weren鈥檛 able to get care because of the past few days of flooding, as well as those who were injured helping out or because of the flooding,” Ajimura said. “Just being able to help them has been really rewarding. When we say that we care for the community, it鈥檚 everyone. Being out here is fulfilling, and it鈥檚 something a lot of the students are more than willing to do.”

The response also highlighted the broader issue of rural health in Hawaiʻi, which is exacerbated during a disaster.

“Rural health doesn鈥檛 just mean the neighbor islands,” Omori said. “Waialua is a great example of a rural community right here on Oʻahu. They have some of the same problems that other rural communities have, even without storms. I think it just emphasizes some of the rural health disparities and the need for more equitable care.”

As recovery continues on the North Shore, JABSOM鈥檚 H.O.M.E. Project plans to hold a pop-up clinic every day during the week of March 23. They will either be at Waialua District Park or at Haleiwa Beach Park. .

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A new (NASEM) is urging clinicians to prioritize ongoing symptom evaluation and continuity of care for individuals potentially exposed to jet fuel contaminated drinking water on Oʻahu in 2021.

The report examined health risks tied to leaks of JP-5 fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility that affected the water supply serving Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and nearby communities. As many as 93,000 people may have been exposed to the jet fuel through drinking water, inhalation of vapors or skin contact.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (JABSOM) Dean Emeritus Jerris R. Hedges, JABSOM Chair and Professor Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, JABSOM graduate and clinical faculty member Marcus Kawika Iwane, and JABSOM graduate and 东精影业 West Oʻahu Professor Ricardo Custodio served on the 16-member multi-disciplinary National Academies “committee on the clinical follow-up and care for those impacted by the JP-5 releases at Red Hill,” which authored this report. 东精影业 Mānoa Professor of Public Health Sciences Catherine Pirkle and Assistant Professor Aurora Kagawa-Viviani served on the multi-disciplinary peer-review team.

Key NASEM report findings

Researchers found limited evidence linking exposure to short-term respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and mental health symptoms. However, data remains insufficient to determine specific long-term health effects, and no validated medical tests exist to confirm past exposure or the extent of exposure. As a result, the report recommends clinicians carefully document patient histories and symptoms while ensuring ongoing, patient-centered care.

The report also calls for expanded research and improved environmental monitoring to better understand exposure levels and potential health outcomes. Recommendations include developing biomarkers to detect jet fuel exposure, standardizing water testing methods and conducting long-term studies of exposed populations.

“This report highlights the importance of a registry to collect long-term health information to fill the gaps in truly understanding how JP-5 exposure may impact the community over time,” Kaholokula said. “The more people who enroll in the , the more impactful the research and information becomes.”

“Continued enrollment in the Red Hill Registry and similar programs is critical for future studies and research,” Hedges said. “Such registries will provide important additional knowledge related to the exposure, especially regarding potential long-term effects on women and children.”

The report further highlights the need for improved coordination among federal, state and local agencies to ensure drinking water safety and rebuild public trust following the contamination incident.

“The release of this report reminds families that even though we are removed in time from the May 2021 and November 2021 fuel spills, the voices of the individuals and families who lived through the water crisis are still being heard,” said Rosana “Sanie” Weldon, director of the Red Hill Registry. “By enrolling in the Red Hill Registry, whether you had symptoms or not, you help researchers establish accurate baseline data, detect even small health differences which may present years from now, and ensure that findings truly reflect the whole community.”

Importance of Red Hill Registry

The Red Hill Registry aims to track health outcomes and provide resources and education for those who experienced jet fuel in their drinking water from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Based in the at 东精影业, the registry has dozens of partners supporting the registry from across the 东精影业 System with technology infrastructure, data security, questionnaire integrity, clinical guidance, water science and more.

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Graduate students in the (DPHS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 enrolled in are helping tackle some of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most pressing health challenges, including issues related to maternal health, cultural responsiveness in data collection and fall prevention. Their community-engaged research was recently highlighted at the department鈥檚 annual Hōʻike (exhibit) in December.

Modeled after a professional academic conference, the Hōʻike, now in its 10th year, highlights student projects developed through partnerships with community organizations. Students work in teams to translate health promotion theory into practice鈥攂uilding relationships, conducting interviews, analyzing qualitative data and sharing findings grounded in community perspectives.

Guided by faculty Jane Chung-Do and David Stupplebeen, students collaborate directly with local partners to address pressing public health priorities.

“Student projects like these help connect students with the community, provide meaningful contributions to the work of community-based organizations, and help perpetuate the vision and mission of the Department of Public Health Sciences,” said Stupplebeen.

Partnerships that make an impact

The community partners of the Fall 2025 semester included ,, , and . Student projects examined a wide range of topics from factors related to delayed prenatal care among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women to coalition engagement in fall prevention efforts and expanding training pathways for Native Hawaiian healthcare practitioners.

For many students, the Hōʻike marked their first formal research presentation, strengthening skills in collaboration, analysis and professional dissemination.

“Having the opportunity to work so closely with a community of practice allowed me to uplift their values during this project, all while reflecting on my own position as a researcher,” said Shanda Shamela Delos Reyes, a graduate student in the course. “The hōʻike itself was a practice of reciprocation, allowing us to share the community’s data back to them.”

“This invaluable learning opportunity is made possible by the dedication of our community partners. We are deeply grateful for their tireless service to Hawaiʻi and for welcoming our students into their vital work,” said Chung-Do.

“The students approached the project with diligence and professionalism, and delivered valuable data that will guide us in designing and implementing effective interventions for our members and the broader community,” said Lucie Tam, clinical coordinator, Quality & Performance Improvement, Quality Management at HMSA. “We look forward to partnering again on future initiatives!”

The Hōʻike reflects DPHS鈥� continued commitment to experiential learning, community engagement and advancing health equity statewide.

A University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 study confirms that outrigger canoe paddling is far more than a state team sport. It’s a way of life that supports physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual health for paddlers in Hawaiʻi.

Related 东精影业 News story: High canoe-paddling rates among NHPI could help health outcomes

The study, published in , examines paddling through a public health perspective. It was led by Simone Schmid, a former postdoctoral fellow and current adjunct assistant professor in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health’s (DPHS), as well as the director of strategy, impact and research at AccesSurf Hawaiʻi in collaboration with other DPHS authors, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and AccesSurf Hawaiʻi.

While previous 东精影业 research documented paddling’s physical benefits and participation patterns among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, this study uniquely centers paddlers’ voices to explore the cultural, spiritual and community meaning that sustains long-term participation.

Centering paddlers’ voices

“As a paddler myself, having benefited from this physical and cultural activity and community in more ways than I can express, we did this work to capture what is already known in the community,” Schmid said. “It is just one piece in the puzzle of overall efforts and goals to support past, current and future paddlers. And one step in my journey of getting canoe club membership covered by health insurance.”

The research team analyzed open-ended survey responses from 362 paddlers statewide who answered: “What does outrigger canoe paddling mean to you?” Almost half (47%) identified as Native Hawaiian; 65% were female. Responses revealed multiple layers of meaning, from physical health, stress relief and teamwork to family traditions, pride, connection to the ocean and ʻāina, cultural heritage and spirituality. Researchers adapted a social-ecological model to include a spiritual perspective.

Many paddlers reflected on ancestry and traditions. Ann Yoshida, paddler and community author with AccesSurf Hawaiʻi said, “Paddling across the world representing Hawaiʻi and the U.S., I felt connected to my island home and culture because my ancestors knew through navigation that the water was our highway to connect with the world. I knew if I was in water, I was home and I never felt alone. This power pushed me to live my extraordinary life.”

Cultural ties drive long-term participation

The study found cultural ties, rather than health goals alone, might motivate long-term participation. Paddling connects people to their health, ancestors, environment and sense of purpose. Findings have been shared with canoe clubs and public health partners to explore how paddling can support chronic disease prevention and community-based activity programs.

Related 东精影业 News story: Measuring outrigger canoe paddling intensity

The study also received international recognition, with Schmid and co-authors named finalists for the , ranking among the top five Early Career Research papers of 2025.

“We are very proud to see the global dissemination of this important work from Hawaiʻi around strengths-based public health promotion, relevant to our communities,” said Tetine Sentell, DPHS professor and study co-author. Other DPHS authors include Carrie Soo Hoo, Catherine Pirkle, Michael Phillips and Mika Thompson.

With Hawaiʻi facing a critical shortage of public health professionals, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 is strengthening the public health workforce pathway—starting in high school classrooms.

Lightbulbs go off when participants realize how much public health shapes their daily lives.
—Yuka Polovina

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (DOE) offers a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health Services pathway that includes a focus in public health, but only five schools statewide currently offer it. Limited awareness of public health careers among students—and limited familiarity with foundational public health concepts among teachers—have slowed expansion.

To help address this gap and increase the number of schools offering the pathway, Yuka Polovina, a faculty member in the (DPHS) at the Thompson school, developed “” (PH101-CTE). The workshop builds awareness of public health careers and equips educators with foundational concepts and classroom strategies, showing how public health principles can be integrated into lessons, activities and assessments.

“When I meet students who are interested in health fields, more often than not they say it鈥檚 because they want to help their communities,” said Polovina, who also serves as a workshop instructor. “It then surprises me when they say they want to become a nurse or doctor. Few know that public health is another powerful way to make an impact, and once students learn about it, they get excited.”

Real-world learning in action

The first PH 101 training, held in October 2025, brought together Windward District teachers in health services and agriculture pathways. Organized by Windward District CTE Resource Teacher Trisha Kim, the workshop highlighted connections between sustainability, food systems and public health.

“This is the best form of teacher professional development,” said Kim. “We are grateful for our partnership and the positive impact for our Windward District students.”

The day included a session at Kailua High School, facilitated by Polovina, and a site visit to the . The visit was led by Jane Chung-Do, acting chair of DPHS, along with Ilima Ho-Lastimoa and Ted Radovich from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). Participants learned about the , offering a hands-on and place-based example of public health in practice.

“Lightbulbs go off when participants realize how much public health shapes their daily lives––from the clean air we breathe to the simple fact that we don鈥檛 have to boil water before drinking it,” said Polovina. “They immediately see how their students will connect to it too.”

The PH 101 training is open to DOE CTE teachers statewide, with another session tentatively planned for this spring. Teachers interested in participating can request a workshop by emailing hiphwork@hawaii.edu.

This initiative builds on efforts from the and is supported through collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health鈥檚 Public Health Infrastructure Grant.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform healthcare, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (COA) researcher is gaining national recognition for advancing data-driven tools that improve the lives of k奴puna.

Jinyoung Jenny Lee has been accepted into the competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) program: .

Funded by the NIH through the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, the program trains researchers and clinicians to use AI/ML in healthcare, strengthens infrastructure in communities and healthcare systems, and supports multidisciplinary projects that improve health outcomes. FHIR sets standards for the secure exchange of electronic health data.

“Given AI‘s current and future impact on our population’s health, I’m excited to have been selected for this multidisciplinary cohort to learn about accelerating and sustaining the adoption of AI in healthcare and research settings,” Lee said.

Translating data into tools for communities

Lee earned her PhD in public health from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and has consistently integrated technological innovation into her work at COA. Her research focuses on program evaluation and data analytics, with an emphasis on making complex data accessible and actionable for communities.

I hope to empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology.
—Jinyoung Jenny Lee

Among her projects is the creation of the interactive, user-friendly web page , which provides detailed demographic information about 贬补飞补颈驶颈’s aging population. She has also designed intuitive dashboards using data she collected and analyzed through her evaluation work with community organizations.

“Through my participation in the AIM-AHEAD training program, I hope not only to increase my knowledge and awareness of AI/ML but also to help empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology,” she said.

This research was, in part, funded by the National Institutes of Health Agreement No. 1OT2OD032581. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the NIH.

The Center on Aging is part of the .

Kauilaon膩lani Tengan is inspired to encourage greater participation from Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino communities in diabetes clinical trials to ensure research better reflects the populations most affected by the disease.

Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha.
—Kauilaon膩lani Tengan

He is translating that goal into practice through applied research. A master of science student in epidemiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 , Tengan was part of a study team at The Queen鈥檚 Health Systems (QHS) whose findings were published in in the study Exploring Diabetes Clinical Trial Participation: A Diverse Group Interview Study.

“I have a family history of cardiometabolic diseases and I remember visiting extended family who had to fly from Moloka驶i just to receive quality care here on Oʻahu,” he said. “This [experience] instilled in me a desire to learn more about health issues so prevalent in our islands and contribute to innovative solutions.”

Research findings and lessons learned

While at QHS, Tengan split his time between health equity research and clinical data management, utilizing electronic medical records to address research questions. He helped conduct interviews with 56 hospitalized patients to explore what motivates—or prevents—patients from joining diabetes clinical trials.

Although 84% expressed willingness to participate, most had never been asked. Barriers included mistrust, concerns about medication risks, and lack of understanding, while many Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants cited family and community benefit as key motivators.

“Engaging face-to-face with people in a clinical setting humanized health data for me,” Tengan said. “It reminded me that these are people, not statistics. I realized that my work has a lasting impact, so it is my responsibility to do things in a pono manner.”

Tengan hopes to carry these lessons forward. “Leave your assumptions and biases at the door and engage these communities with aloha,” he said. “It is vital that we do work in an ethically and culturally nuanced way because there are real world impacts in the data that we publish.”

The study was part of an Food and Drug Administration-funded project at The Queen驶s Medical Center, in collaboration with the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , and clinical partners. also found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants are consistently underrepresented in U.S. clinical trials.

“Kauilaon膩lani鈥檚 perspectives and real-life application from quantitative analyses are so important to building collective public health,” said Tetine Sentell, public health professor and study co-author.

Hawaiʻi faces a significant public health workforce shortage that far exceeds the national average, leaving rural communities especially affected by limited public health resources and academic pathways into the field.

To help fill this gap, a three-course public health certificate offered by was developed and launched in fall 2020 in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 (DPHS) and the Department of Health鈥檚 Kauaʻi District Health Office (KDHO). Nearly six years later, 72 students—including high school early college participants—have completed the program, gaining foundational knowledge and credits transferable to a at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

Early college credits, pathway to a degree

The certificate introduces foundational concepts through PH201: Introduction to Public Health, PH202: Public Health in Hawaiʻi, and PH203: Introduction to Global Public Health. Kauaʻi CC students who complete the program get a head start on a four-year degree and strengthen a seamless 东精影业 System pipeline.

The program is also offered to students at Waimea High School and Kapaāa High School through early college partnerships, allowing them to earn college credits that count toward both Kauaʻi CC and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.

“It鈥檚 so awesome to see high school students grapple with college material and make those important connections to public health,” said Yuka Polovina, a DPHS faculty member who currently teaches PH201. “This certificate and partnership with Kauaʻi CC is a fantastic model for other community colleges across our state and other campuses to follow.”

This program is a wonderful showcase of the collaborative academic pathway across the university system…
—Tetine Sentell

KDHO staff serve as guest lecturers, covering topics such as epidemiology, public health emergency preparedness, public health communications and outbreak control.

“We love the opportunity for our staff to share real-world local examples and make the work of public health come alive for Kauaʻi CC students,” said Janet Berreman, KDHO officer. “We get to see their excitement as they learn about the field.”

By introducing students to the field earlier, the program aims to increase local capacity and cultivate a future public health workforce drawn from the communities it serves. The initiative also supports 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel鈥檚 efforts to strengthen connections across the 东精影业 System.

The certificate by DPHS faculty Denise Nelson-Hurwitz, Lisa Kehl and Michelle Tagorda-Kama, with Tammie Napoleon and others at Kauaʻi CC. Yvette Amshoff, a DPHS master’s of public health graduate, taught the first cohorts and helped develop the program.

“This program is a wonderful showcase of the collaborative academic pathway across the university system, including our KDHO partners and DOE as well,” said Tetine Sentell, public health professor and DPHS department chair. “We are working to build more pathways like this to support public health across our islands and beyond.”

.

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.”

A study co-led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has found that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—commonly known as “forever chemicals”—may significantly increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adolescents. MASLD affects about 10% of children and up to 40% of children with obesity and can increase long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver cancer.

The findings were published in and is a collaboration with the .

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in nonstick cookware, stain- and water-repellent fabrics, food packaging and some cleaning products. They persist in the environment and accumulate in the body over time. More than 99% of people in the U.S. have measurable PFAS in their blood, and at least one PFAS is present in roughly half of U.S. drinking water supplies.

“Adolescents are particularly more vulnerable to the health effects of PFAS as it is a critical period of development and growth,” said assistant professor Shiwen “Sherlock” Li of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s Department of Public Health Sciences in the , who served as lead and corresponding author. “In addition to liver disease, PFAS exposure has been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including several types of cancer.” ()

Linking PFAS, genetics and lifestyle

The research examined 284 adolescents and young adults in Southern California who were already at higher metabolic risk because their parents had type 2 diabetes or were overweight. PFAS levels were measured through blood tests, and liver fat was assessed using MRI.

Adolescents are particularly more vulnerable to the health effects of PFAS as it is a critical period of development and growth.
—Shiwen Li

Higher blood levels of two common PFAS chemicals—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)—were linked to a greater likelihood of MASLD. Adolescents with twice as much PFOA in their blood were nearly three times more likely to have MASLD. The risk was even higher for those with a genetic variant (PNPLA3 GG) known to influence liver fat. In young adults, smoking further amplified PFAS-related liver impacts.

“MASLD can progress silently for years before causing serious health problems,” said Lida Chatzi, professor of population and public health sciences and pediatrics and director of the . “When liver fat starts accumulating in adolescence, it may set the stage for a lifetime of metabolic and liver health challenges. If we reduce PFAS exposure early, we may help prevent liver disease later.”

Li noted that this is the first study to examine PFAS and MASLD in children using gold-standard diagnostic criteria and to explore how genetic and lifestyle factors may interact with PFAS exposure.

Reducing exposure

Exposure to PFAS can vary by location. Li recommends checking local Consumer Confidence Reports to see whether a water provider tests for PFAS, and using a water filter if PFAS are detected. Avoiding products or packaging made with PFAS may also help reduce exposure. Given rising rates of MASLD in young people worldwide, the researchers call for continued investigation and policies that reduce PFAS use in consumer products.

Other study partners also included the University of California Irvine, West Virginia University, Johns Hopkins University and Children鈥檚 Hospital Los Angeles.

While life expectancy across the U.S. declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi and the found that Hawaiʻi experienced a smaller decline compared to national trends.

Yan Yan Wu, Michael Phillips and Kathryn L. Braun from the 东精影业 惭氓苍辞补 , along with Lance Ching and Claire Prieto from the , found that life expectancy in Hawaiʻi declined by 1.4 years, from 82.1 in 2019 to 80.7 in 2021. Nationwide, the decline over the same period was 2.4 years, from 78.8 to 76.4. Their findings were published in the .

“The smaller magnitude and delayed timing of Hawaiʻi’s decline may reflect the state’s geographic isolation and early implementation of public health interventions,” said Wu, the study’s lead author. “In 2022, life expectancy partially rebounded by 0.5 years in Hawaiʻi and by 0.9 years nationally, with Hawaiʻi remaining about four years higher than the U.S. average throughout the pandemic.”

“Hawaiʻi ranks among the top U.S. states for COVID-19 vaccination coverage. By May 2023, data reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that more than 90% of residents received at least one dose and more than 80% were considered fully vaccinated with the primary COVID-19 vaccine series,” said Ching, epidemiologist with the DOH Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Division. “These high vaccination levels—reached over the course of the pandemic—helped delay the peak of COVID-19 mortality in Hawaiʻi by approximately six months compared to the national average and contributed to the state’s distinction of having the lowest age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate in the country.”

Key Findings

• Life expectancy in Hawaiʻi remained stable from 2018 to 2020 (82.3, 82.1, and 82.0 years, respectively).
• A decline occurred in 2021 to 80.7 years, followed by a partial rebound to 81.2 years in 2022.
• Among males, life expectancy fell from 79.2 years in 2018 to 77.5 years in 2021, then rose to 78.2 years in 2022.
• Among females, life expectancy fell from 85.4 years in 2018 to 84.0 years in 2021, rebounding to 84.4 years in 2022.
• The gap between female and male life expectancy widened to 6.5 years in 2021 before narrowing to 6.2 years in 2022—the same as in 2019.
• Despite these fluctuations, Hawaiʻi‘s overall decline in life expectancy remained less severe than the U.S. average throughout the pandemic.

Policy Implications

The researchers note that Hawaiʻi‘s better outcomes underscore the effectiveness of early public health interventions, strong community engagement, and high vaccine uptake. They recommend that future policies build on these strengths by investing in rapid-response infrastructure and maintaining high vaccination coverage to better protect vulnerable communities during future disease outbreaks.

In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) and RSM US, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is using data and machine learning tools to identify adverse events and enhance services for Hawaiʻi residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Through the Social Science Research Institute’s (OEAIDD), 东精影业 researchers are working on a new dashboard that integrates Medicaid claims and case–management data. The tool gives staff a clearer picture of potential unreported adverse events—such as injuries or hospitalizations—and supports faster, more informed decision making across DOH&s (DDD) programs for 3,600 participants statewide.

…we鈥檙e helping the state build a more responsive system of care.
—Jack Barile

Historically, under–reporting of adverse events has posed a major challenge in healthcare oversight. Built on Microsoft systems and designed by RSM, the dashboard helps staff identify risks that may have gone unreported. An additional AI–supported component is being developed to help flag participants at higher likelihood of experiencing adverse events, enabling proactive intervention.

“This dashboard helps DDD make more data–informed decisions for the betterment of the community,” said Jack Barile, associate dean for research and principal investigator for OEAIDD. “By partnering with service providers and technical teams like RSM and Microsoft—and by training 东精影业 students in real–world analytics—we’re helping the state build a more responsive system of care.”

“This collaboration among DOH, 东精影业 and RSM US marks a significant step forward in protecting consumer health and safety by harnessing AI to address the issue of under–reported adverse events,” said Mary Brogan, DDD administrator. “By identifying adverse risks accurately, we can better support our participants’ well–being.”

Strengthening data use statewide

东精影业 researchers are working alongside DDD staff and technical partners RSM and Microsoft to ensure the dashboard is practical, secure and integrated into daily workflows. Researchers on the project team contribute through data analysis and evaluation, while graduate students also gain hands–on experience with public health data.

“Our goal is to help DDD build a culture of data,” said Eva McKinsey, project lead. “The dashboard gives DDD staff access to timely and relevant information that can support stronger programs and better outcomes.”

东精影业 researchers will continue refining the tool and expanding training, with the focus on improving disability services statewide through better data, evaluation and collaboration.

The OEAIDD project team, housed within 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s , also includes Charles Iwata, Ashlyn Wong, Reinie Gerrits–Goh, Genevieve Manset, Meldrick Ravida, Eric Lin and Grace Mellor.

Engaging in cultural and social activities is strongly linked to better mental health for Native Hawaiian, American Indian & Alaska Native elders, according to a new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 published in .

Researchers from the analyzed survey data from more than 19,000 older adults who participated in a national assessment sponsored by the . Conducted every three years, the survey helps inform planning, long–term care discussions & grant applications for programs that support Indigenous elders.

Traditions linked to better mental health

“We found that frequent participation in traditional cultural practices & social activities was strongly associated with better mental health,” said Miquela Ibrao, assistant professor and one of the study鈥檚 lead authors from the . “In contrast, functional limitations—such as difficulties bathing, dressing, cooking & cleaning for oneself—and caregiver burden were associated with poorer mental health.”

Among the three groups studied, Native Hawaiian elders reported the highest average mental health score.

“This may be because Native Hawaiian elders were most likely to regularly participate in cultural activities, as Hawaiʻi traditions like hula & mele are celebrated across the islands,” said Kathryn Braun, professor of public health sciences. “Also, the Native Hawaiian sample had the highest proportion of retirees.”

Ibrao said the findings highlight the value of community programs that honor cultural traditions, helping Indigenous elders stay mentally & emotionally healthy.

The research was co-authored by Jane Lee, Yan Yan Wu & Jordan Lewis of the Thompson school, along with collaborators from the Center for Rural Health at the , the & Southcentral Foundation.