Maui residents can now pursue careers in respiratory therapy and radiologic technology without having to relocate to Oʻahu. Maui Health and the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges have partnered to launch two Maui-based degree programs.

The dedicated Maui cohort programs, offered through Kapiʻolani Community College, are designed to create accessible pathways to high-demand, living wage careers.

“Kapiʻolani Community College is proud to expand healthcare workforce opportunities by offering the respiratory care practitioner and radiologic technologist programs beginning fall of 2026,” said Karen Boyer, dean of health academic programs. “These programs will help address critical healthcare workforce shortages in Hawaiʻi while providing students with accessible pathways to high-demand, living wage healthcare careers.”

Students in both programs will complete a combination of online, in-person and hybrid coursework, including hands-on clinical training conducted at Maui Memorial Medical Center. To further remove financial obstacles, the Maui Health Foundation is offering scholarships that may cover 100% of direct education costs, including tuition, fees, books and supplies for the professional program.

Applications for the Maui cohort are available through the website, with a deadline of May 31. Scholarship applications are due June 20, 2026. 糖心Vlog官方 , including links to program and scholarship applications.

‘Milestone moment’

“This is a milestone moment for Maui and an example of what can happen when community partners come together to invest in our people and our future,” said Wade Ebersole, interim CEO of Maui Health. “These programs open doors for local residents to pursue stable, well-paying healthcare careers, while also strengthening the pipeline of professionals who are committed to serving Maui鈥檚 community.”

Both pathways lead to a two-year associate in science degree. With minimal prerequisites often completed in one to two semesters, graduates can be prepared to enter the workforce in approximately 2.5 to 3 years. This rapid turnaround is essential to filling critical shortages in respiratory care and medical imaging roles across Maui. Graduates are positioned for strong earning potential, with starting wages for these roles exceeding $42 per hour.

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Maui鈥檚 healthcare workforce and ensuring high-quality care for its residents.

Co-designed with the community, the , facilitated by the University of Hawaiʻi, aims to track health outcomes to inform future research and clinical guidance on fuel exposure and provide resources for those who experienced the fuel spill. To date, the registry has pre-enrolled more than 2,600 participants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, .

Joining the registry is a two-step process. First, is the pre-enrollment questionnaire followed by either a baseline or expanded questionnaire, depending on how, when and where you used water. Of the more than 2,600 pre-enrolled participants, only 423 have completed their baseline or expanded questionnaires. Registry staff continue to follow up with participants who have not yet completed the process.

“The Red Hill Registry is seeking community input to gain insight on how to increase its completion rates,” said Sanie Weldon, director of the Red Hill Registry. “The feedback received directly informs how the registry improves its tools, communications and support efforts.”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report in March 2026 which emphasized the importance of continued data collection via the Red Hill Registry to understand links between jet fuel exposure and health effects as well as community-driven efforts related to the Red Hill water crisis.

Whether you are an enrolled participant or experienced the water crisis and have yet to enroll, the registry invites everyone to visit the to learn more and in either the community survey or a virtual focus group.

Community Survey: 15-minute survey seeking feedback on your experience with the Red Hill Registry and its support tools.

Virtual Focus Groups: 2-hour sessions available between June 8 and June 19, 2026. Times will vary to accommodate participation from around the globe.

If you have any questions about these feedback opportunities, registry staff can be reached by email at info@redhillregistry.org or by calling 808-427-8260 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. HST.

This spring, a Waiʻanae mother and daughter are celebrating more than just graduation—they are marking a shared journey of perseverance, sacrifice and a deep commitment to serving their community through healthcare.

Haylie-Marie Domingo-Kealoha, born and raised in Waiʻanae, will earn her associates arts degree from Leeward Community College, completing coursework across multiple University of Hawaiʻi campuses (Kapiʻolani CC, Honolulu CC, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu, and Leeward CC) while working to support herself.

Graduating alongside her is her mother, Danielle Kealoha, who is also earning her associate arts degree in liberal arts after returning to school years after stepping away to raise her family.

Two paths, one commitment to healthcare

For Haylie-Marie, the path to college was not always clear. After high school, she entered the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) medical assistant program through the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC), an experience that helped her discover her passion for healthcare.

Meet more amazing 糖心Vlog官方 graduates

Determined not to burden her parents financially, she balanced work and school, carefully arranging her schedule to pay her own way. A personal medical emergency further solidified her goal: becoming a registered nurse.

Danielle鈥檚 journey began years earlier at WCCHC鈥檚 Waiʻanae Health Academy but was paused due to the challenges of raising children while working full-time.

Returning to school at Leeward CC proved to be the right decision, offering flexible asynchronous courses that allowed her to balance work, family and education. Now working as a dialysis technician at US Renal Care in Waiʻanae, she has found purpose in patient care and hopes to advance in nephrology nursing.

Built-in support system

Experiencing college together has been one of the most meaningful aspects of their journey.

“My mom has been there for me since the very beginning,” Haylie-Marie said. “Knowing she鈥檚 going through the same classes makes it easier when I get stuck—she鈥檚 always there to help.”

Danielle echoed that sentiment, adding that watching her daughter grow into the healthcare field has been deeply rewarding. “She has exceeded every expectation,” she said. “I always believed she would make an amazing nurse.”

Support from Leeward CC

Both credit Leeward CC for playing a critical role in their success, where advisors and staff helped guide them through course selection and degree planning, ensuring they stayed on track despite busy schedules. Danielle specifically highlighted the support of advisor Leilani Yanagi, whose encouragement and guidance helped both mother and daughter navigate their academic paths with confidence.

“He ʻ奴濒别颈 kolo”—an expression for a tough person—is how Yanagi describes Danielle and Haylie-Marie. “They each took different paths to earn their AA, and it will be a joyful moment to watch them cross the stage on May 15.”

Both now work in dialysis care, strengthening their passion for helping others and reinforcing their commitment to healthcare in their community.

Looking ahead

After graduation, Haylie-Marie will begin the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo nursing program through the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center cohort this August. Danielle plans to continue her education toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing, with the long-term goal of specializing in nephrology.

Together, their story is one of resilience, family, and community—a testament to the power of support systems both at home and at Leeward Community College.

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 糖心Vlog官方, 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, 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 News story)

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.

Attendees 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 News story: 糖心Vlog官方 cancer support network champions patient advocacy

The 糖心Vlog官方 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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During spring break, University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 nursing student Jolene Chun joined National Guard search and rescue efforts in high-risk flood zones in Waialua to help ensure the safety of residents and property during the state evacuation order in March. Chun, a state-activated Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Staff Sergeant medic with the U.S. Air Force, is pursuing her advanced degree through the (GEPN) in the (SONDH).

“The most impactful moment during the search was witnessing the devastation of mass amounts of property and vehicles displaced due to the powerful impact of the flood,” Chun said.

Chun earned her bachelor of arts in with a concentration in disaster preparedness and management from 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu in 2021. Her decision to serve as a medic in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard was influenced in part by educational opportunities, including tuition assistance that supported her undergraduate degree.

Her training in the GEPN program built on her clinical experience as a medic, strengthening her ability to respond in high-pressure situations.

“The program helped me render aid with definitive treatments in mind, which made me more confident assisting in the field,” she said.

Even to make the smallest difference, I will answer the call.
—Jolene Chun

Balancing both roles, Chun said the skills complement each other and reinforce a shared focus on patient care, making her immediate decision to assist during spring break instinctive.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to assist in responding to people in the community. Even to make the smallest difference, I will answer the call,” she said.

A long-term commitment to service

Chun plans to graduate in 2028 and commission as a Hawaiʻi Air National Guard nurse, eventually pursuing the to continue serving Hawaiʻi communities. In addition to focusing on women鈥檚 wellness, she aims to help improve coordination across federal, state, city and private sectors to expand access to healthcare.

As the affected communities continue cleaning and rebuilding, Chun reflects on the ongoing efforts. “I am appreciative that the National Guard members are still out there working with the community to help the land and people pick up the pieces to hopefully normalize after the effects of the Kona Low system.”

SONDH Dean Clementina Ceria-Ulep added, “Jolene鈥檚 dedication as a nursing student and medic showcases the remarkable service and leadership our students bring to Hawaiʻi communities.”

What began as a weeklong summer experience at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (JABSOM) turned into something much bigger for Hawaii Baptist Academy student Callie Kawaguchi.

After attending JABSOM鈥檚 last summer, an immersive introduction to medical school, Kawaguchi helped organize the Convention for Future Medical Leaders, held February 28, at Hawaii Baptist Academy. The event brought nearly 100 high school students from across Hawaiʻi together to .

First medical school experience

“They really catered to making sure that we learned about med school,” Kawaguchi said of her MDT experience. “No one had ever told me what it really was about. I found learning about medical school valuable.”

The weeklong MDT program introduces high school students to problem-based learning, anatomy demonstrations, clinical skills labs, simulated patient encounters and computerized manikin simulations. Participants learn to recognize symptoms of illnesses common in Hawaiʻi and practice basic clinical skills such as taking vital signs, listening to heart and lung sounds and interviewing patients.

“I was really curious,” Kawaguchi said. “And I think I really got what they were talking about.”

Inspiring future healthcare leaders

Inspired by the experience, Kawaguchi created the Convention for Future Medical Leaders to help other students learn about the medical field.

The goal of the MDT program is to inspire an interest in learning about healthcare.
—Damon Sakai

“There have been career days just for your own high school,” she said. “But I wanted a convention just for medical stuff and for high schoolers around the island.”

JABSOM faculty, staff and students participated in the event, including MDT Director Damon Sakai, who spoke about the importance of early exposure to health careers.

“The goal of the MDT program is to inspire an interest in learning about healthcare,” Sakai said. “Hawaiʻi continues to face a significant healthcare workforce shortage, so early exposure programs like MDT are increasingly important.”

Registration for summer program

Registration for the opens on March 23. The program runs July 6–10, at JABSOM in Kakaʻako and is open to high school students in grades 10–12 who are at least 16 years old.

“There鈥檚 currently a medical worker shortage in Hawaiʻi,” Kawaguchi said. “And I wanted other people to get a little closer to what they want to do in the future.”

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A new report from the (糖心Vlog官方ERO) emphasizes the crucial role of the 糖心Vlog官方 Community Colleges鈥� Good Jobs Hawaiʻi (GJH) program in successfully placing residents into high-demand, higher-paying careers. The preliminary analysis by Rachel Inafuku provides more evidence that these targeted training programs are helping families combat Hawaiʻi’s persistent, high cost of living.

“Consistent with the , average real quarterly wages for [Good Jobs Hawaiʻi] completers were more than $2,000 higher two quarters after program completion than two quarters prior,” the report said. This increase demonstrates how these short-term programs are creating essential earning power.

Higher healthcare earnings

The most dramatic gains were found among those who transitioned into a new field after training. In healthcare, the largest GJH pathway, participants who switched from non-healthcare industries—such as retail or food services—saw their average quarterly earnings rise by more than $5,500 two quarters after completion. This amounts to an annualized earnings increase of $22,000 for workers entering a sector with sustained high demand due to Hawaiʻi’s aging population.

Significant gains for skilled trades

Similarly, skilled trades completers realized significant wage gains, earning roughly $2,600 more per quarter post-program. Employment patterns for this group also shifted away from lower-wage sectors and toward construction, manufacturing and public administration, aligning with the state’s thriving construction industry and its well-above-average wages.

Smaller increases for tech

Outcomes varied by sector. Technology students—many of whom were mid-career workers with pre-program earnings higher than the average GJH student—experienced smaller wage increases and more modest changes in industry placement.

Read more 糖心Vlog官方 News Good Jobs Hawaiʻi stories

Overall, these findings highlight how post-training earnings trajectories reflect both the specific skills acquired and the broader structure of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 labor market.

Inafuku said, “As Hawaiʻi continues to face a high demand for workers in critical sectors alongside persistent cost-of-living pressures, workforce programs that align training with industry needs can address both challenges—placing workers in more stable, higher-paying jobs while helping employers meet demand.”

糖心Vlog官方ERO is housed in 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

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 糖心Vlog官方 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 is facing a critical shortage of neurosurgeons, leaving many patients with long waits or forced to travel off-island for care. The (JABSOM) is working to address the shortage through a mentorship program that trains the next generation of specialists while encouraging them to practice locally.

JABSOM alumnus Thomas Noh returned home to join the faculty and quickly saw how the problem would worsen as current neurosurgeons retire.

“There was an opportunity, and a need, for JABSOM to build interest in the field and get more people excited about going into neurosurgery,” he said.

The program offers hands-on surgical rotations, opportunities to contribute to research projects in Noh驶s lab and access to professional networks, with an emphasis on empowering women and students from underrepresented communities.

“One of Hawaiʻi's super powers is that we have incredibly bright, very motivated students who want to make Hawaiʻi their home,” Noh said. “If we can connect this pool of extremely qualified candidates with opportunities across neurosurgery, there’s hope that some of these students will get excited about it and want to build a career in Hawaiʻi.”

Invaluable mentorship experience

Third-year medical student Janette Bow-Keola said the mentorship has been invaluable.

“When I started med school, I had the idea that I wanted to pursue neurosurgery, but I didn’t think it was really achievable, coming from my background as an underrepresented person in medicine,” she said. “I struggled with imposter syndrome and doubting whether I was right for medicine or worthy of going into neurosurgery.”

Through the experience I鈥檓 getting at JABSOM, I鈥檝e built confidence in myself and my training and what I can offer patients.
—Janette Bow-Keola

When Bow-Keola met Noh, he affirmed that neurosurgery was within reach and that JABSOM could help her get there. “Through the experience I’m getting at JABSOM, I’ve built confidence in myself and my training and what I can offer patients,” she said.

Bow-Keola plans to return to Hawaiʻi to address disparities in care and the declining neurosurgeon workforce.

Another success story is alumna Andie Conching—the first known Native Hawaiian woman accepted into a neurosurgery residency—who also credits mentorship at JABSOM and plans to return home to practice.

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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 糖心Vlog官方 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, 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 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.”

糖心Vlog官方 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 .

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 糖心Vlog官方 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.

Elliot Kalauawa, now an assistant clinical professor at the (JABSOM) at the , was recently honored with 鈥檚 Alumni of Merit Award—the highest award given by its alumni association—recognizing his decades of work expanding healthcare access for underserved communities in Hawaiʻi. On December 6, Whitman College hosted an award presentation at JABSOM in his honor.

Kalauawa has taught future physicians at JABSOM for more than 40 years, serving as a preceptor who guides students through hands-on clinical training in community health. He works closely with learners at Waikiki Health, where he spent nearly four decades caring for vulnerable and houseless populations. Many students consider their time with him a formative part of their medical education because of his patient-centered approach and deep commitment to health equity.

From Whitman to Hawaiʻi

His journey began nearly 50 years ago as a Hawaiʻi student adjusting to life far from home.

“I definitely wanted to come back already,” he said. “Washington and Oregon are beautiful states, but to me, Hawaiʻi is still the best place to live.”

That goal to become a physician formed when Kalauawa was about 11, after a long wait to see a doctor at the Queen Emma Clinic. “Must be they don鈥檛 have enough doctors, so I think I鈥檒l be a doctor,” he remembered. Once he decided, “there was no changing, there was no thought of anything else.”

Even with the prestigious honor, Kalauawa remains humble. “Nobody receives an award on their own鈥� It鈥檚 not just me, it鈥檚 definitely not a one person type of thing,” he said.

Read more at .

A study suggests that breast cancer patients may benefit longer from antibody-drug treatments if doctors switch to a different drug type after the first one stops working.

Presented December 10, 2025, at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the research shows that in laboratory and animal models, tumors that stopped responding to one antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) regained sensitivity when treated with a follow-up ADC carrying a different drug class.

ADCs work by using an antibody to guide a potent cancer drug directly to tumor cells. Many breast cancer ADCs, however, use the same DNA-targeting drug type, and clinical experience has shown that using similar ADCs back-to-back often provides limited benefit.

The 糖心Vlog官方 team found this may be due to cross-resistance. In models of both HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer, switching from a DNA-targeting drug to a cell-division鈥揵locking drug restored tumor control, even though the antibody was still hitting the same cancer-cell marker.

“A simple takeaway is this: After a cancer progresses on one ADC, choose the next ADC with a different kind of drug,” said Jangsoon (Jason) Lee, associate professor and director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center Preclinical Core. “This drug-guided approach could help these smart treatments work longer for patients.”

“These findings show that drug resistance is not necessarily the end of the line for cancer patients,” added Naoto T. Ueno, 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center director. “Choosing the right kind of drug next could help more patients benefit from ADCs.”

The 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center is now working with clinical partners to design studies that match the next ADC鈥檚 drug payload to how a patient鈥檚 tumor becomes resistant, aiming to extend treatment benefit.

A groundbreaking effort to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to slow—and potentially reverse—Alzheimer鈥檚 disease symptoms in Hawaiʻi is underway at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Katy Tarrit, assistant professor in the , is leading this new, locally focused 18-month research initiative.

The project aims to develop a novel AI-powered approach that is culturally tailored to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 diverse population and integrates multiple physiological data sources—including brain activity and other biomarkers—to better understand and combat Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. By identifying subtle physiological patterns that clinicians might not easily observe, Tarrit鈥檚 team hopes to guide more accurate, personalized interventions that can slow or prevent disease progression.

“Our goal is to bring forward an approach that reflects the unique cultural, social and biological context of our islands,” said Tarrit. “By integrating multiple types of health data, we hope to uncover new insights that can improve prevention, treatment and the overall quality of life for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 families and kūpuna.”

The project received $60,000 in funding from the (HCF) through its Medical Research Program, supported by the Ingeborg V.F. McKee Fund. The program advances scientific research on Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, juvenile diabetes, heart disease and cancer. According to HCF, this effort aligns with its mission to strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 medical research community and improve long-term health outcomes across the islands.

“We are deeply grateful to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for enabling this important effort to address Alzheimer鈥檚 disease in our islands,” Tarrit added. “Their support helps us harness AI and technology in ways that honor Hawaiʻi鈥檚 multicultural identity and deliver effective health solutions shaped by local needs and values.”

This initiative contributes to a growing statewide commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies—such as AI, multimodal data analytics and digital health tools—to address major public health challenges affecting local families and kūpuna.

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is part of 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

Two years after the 2023 Maui wildfires, many disabled residents remain far behind in rebuilding their homes, livelihoods, and health, according to a new report from the (糖心Vlog官方ERO).

糖心Vlog官方ERO鈥檚 study, , is the first comprehensive analysis of how the disaster affected disabled residents in Lahaina. Drawing on two large-scale surveys conducted between 2024 and 2025, the report shows that people with disabilities, both pre-existing and newly acquired after the disaster, continue to face disproportionate hardship two years after the fires.

“Disabled residents continue to face steep barriers to recovery, because systems and programs aren鈥檛 designed to include them,” said Daniela Bond-Smith, a research economist at 糖心Vlog官方ERO who is the lead author on the report. “Recovery systems need to be inclusive—or they risk deepening existing inequities. But it鈥檚 also an opportunity to plan for a more inclusive and resilient future.”

Key findings

Housing: Fewer than half of disabled residents have secured permanent housing. Many remain in temporary or unstable living situations, and disabled renters are more reliant on rental assistance that may soon end.

Employment and Income: Working-age people with disabilities experienced sharper employment and income losses. A disproportionate number of disabled people exited the labor force, risking long-term exclusion from employment and earnings. Newly disabled people saw their household incomes fall by nearly half since the fires.

Health: Disabled people report greater physical and mental health challenges and more barriers to healthcare access than others.

Assistance and Unmet Needs: Disabled residents report higher unmet needs, from housing and healthcare to transportation and financial aid. More than one-quarter received no assistance at all in the last month.

Life Satisfaction: Despite widespread resilience, disabled people consistently report lower well-being and slower recovery progress.

Opportunities to close gap

The report finds that 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 current framework for disability inclusion in disaster preparedness and recovery is fragmented and largely non-binding. To close the gaps, the authors identify several steps that could make 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 recovery, and future disaster planning, more inclusive:

• Mainstreaming disability equity in disaster management as a cross-cutting principle, not a niche program, including explicit statutory requirements
• Updating and expanding 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 outdated disability preparedness plan to include recovery
• Setting measurable goals and data systems to monitor progress on disability inclusion at both the state and county levels
• Making disaster assistance fully accessible and expanding disability training for case managers and first responders
• Improving referrals to assistance and services for disabled residents by leveraging healthcare encounters
• Investing in accessible housing and healthcare, and expanding job programs that help disabled residents rejoin and remain in the workforce

The report serves as a resource for policymakers, service providers, and community leaders working to strengthen 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 disaster recovery systems and ensure that progress reaches everyone.

糖心Vlog官方ERO is housed in 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

Members from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST) and (JABSOM) were featured in the new documentary , which premiered at the 45th Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) on October 23, 2025.

Contributing to the film were several leading oceanographers from SOEST including Jeff Drazen (professor), Jamison Gove (alumni and research affiliate), Nikolai Maximenko (senior researcher), Margaret McManus (chairwoman of the Department of Oceanography and director of the Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography), and Jonathan Whitney (alumni, former postdoctoral researcher, and research affiliate); and a scientist at JABSOM鈥檚 , Rodrigo Weingrill. The 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 experts joined filmmakers, professional athletes, and community partners at the festival for the premiere of KULEANA.

Weingrill was selected for the film for his research on microplastics, including studies showing an accumulation of microplastics in human placentas in Hawaiʻi. The film highlights that plastic pollution has become a human health concern.

A central scene follows professional surfer Kai Lenny as Weingrill鈥檚 team tests his blood, finding 33 microplastic particles in just 2 milliliters. With an average adult having about five liters of blood, Weingrill estimated that Lenny would have “around 80,000 particles in all his blood.”

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Rise of microplastics discovered in placentas of Hawaiʻi mothers

“I think the message is to educate our communities to prevent this exposure,” Weingrill said. He suggested making small lifestyle changes such as using glass or stainless-steel containers instead of plastic, to reduce how much plastic we take in every day.

Reflecting on his experience being featured in the film, he added, “I never expected that, I never wished that, to tell you the truth. I always wanted to do good science to help people.” He credited collaborators Johann Urschitz, Men-Jean Lee, Steve Ward and the Department of OB-GYN & Women鈥檚 Health for supporting the research.

“We鈥檙e trying to do something good for everybody and that鈥檚 the everyday goal鈥攖o help our communities, to help our people, to have a healthier life, live longer and have a really happy everyday routine,” he said.

KULEANA was directed and produced by Georgia Scott and narrated by Woody Harrelson. HIFF will also screen the documentary on November 1, at and on November 9 and 15, on Maui.

“KULEANA powerfully captures how plastic pollution is infiltrating the lives of ocean animals, with Hawaiʻi standing at an epicenter of this global crisis,” said Whitney, marine ecologist at NOAA, who co-led a study with Gove and McManus showing that prey-sized plastics are invading larval fish nurseries. “Our research revealed an invisible threat at the foundation of ocean food webs, and it鈥檚 an honor to collaborate with talented filmmakers who can bring these scientific stories to life for the world to see.”

Read more at and .

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight advances in early detection and research that save lives. Scientists at the are leading efforts to improve breast cancer screening and risk modeling for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 diverse population.

John Shepherd, chief scientific officer and director of the , shares what people should know about breast density, a key factor in both cancer risk and detection. Shepherd also explains a new federal mandate requiring that every person undergoing mammography in the U.S. be informed about their breast density.

Q: What exactly is breast density, and why does it matter?

Breast density can be thought of in two ways: biologically and practically. Biologically, it refers to having more fibrous tissue in the breast, which makes it stiffer. The more of that type of tissue a woman has, the higher her risk of breast cancer. Practically speaking, we detect breast density through mammograms. On a mammogram, dense tissue appears white鈥攁nd so does cancer. That means the denser the breast, the harder it is for radiologists to see potential cancers.

Q: What factors influence breast density?

Some factors can鈥檛 be changed, like genetics. For instance, Native Hawaiian and Asian women generally have higher breast density than Caucasian or Hispanic women. Other factors are lifestyle-related. Body mass index, smoking and having children can all influence density. Diet also plays a role. Women who smoke tend to have higher breast density, while those who have had children usually have lower density.

Q: What鈥檚 changing with the new mammography regulations?

A new law—an update to the Mammography Quality Standards Act—now requires that mammography reports sent to patients include information about breast density. In the past, a report might have said something simple like, “We don鈥檛 see cancer. Come back next year.” Now it must include wording that tells women if they have dense breast tissue and that it can make cancers harder to detect. The goal is to help women understand their screening results and talk with their healthcare providers about their individual risk.

Q: What can women do if they learn they have dense breast tissue?

One practical step is to use online risk assessment tools. You can enter your age, breast density, and other factors to get an overall picture of your breast cancer risk. Not all women with dense breasts are at high risk, but knowing your risk can guide decisions about screening and prevention. Regular mammograms, breast self-exams and discussions with your doctor are key to maintaining breast health.

Q: Why is this issue especially important in Hawaiʻi?

Because Native Hawaiian and Asian women generally have higher breast density, cancers may be more easily masked in mammograms here. This means women in Hawaiʻi might benefit from supplemental screening such as ultrasound or MRI. Understanding these differences helps ensure that all women—especially those in higher-risk groups—get the care and screening they need.

Watch the full interview with John Shepherd.

The will launch a for students who did not follow a traditional premedical track or who want an additional step to demonstrate readiness for professional school. Coordinated by the (JABSOM) with partners across multiple units, the program, which begins in fall 2026, strengthens academic preparation and creates new pathways into medical and health professions.

Students will take courses in physiology, genetics, biomedical ethics, immunology and statistics, with electives such as neuroscience. A highlight is access to gross anatomy labs—hands-on training typically reserved for medical students—providing rare early exposure to medical-level anatomy.

Building Hawaiʻi’s healthcare workforce

“This program reflects the strength of the 糖心Vlog官方 System as a whole,” said Samuel “Sam” Shomaker, JABSOM dean. “It brings together expertise from across our campuses to create an integrated program rooted in biomedical sciences, life sciences and public health. Just as importantly, this is about building Hawaiʻi’s workforce. By opening access to advanced scientific training and mentoring, we are broadening the pool of qualified applicants and strengthening the healthcare system that depends on them.”

…we aim to prepare students not only for professional schools but also for lifelong learning in biomedical science.
—Olivier LeSaux

Alex Stokes, program director and originator of the certificate, said the program fills a critical need. “Across Hawaiʻi, and especially on the neighbor islands, communities live every day with the reality of too few doctors. Not every student prepares for medical school during their undergraduate years. This certificate provides the extra step some need—whether to strengthen their foundation, gain exposure to courses like gross anatomy, or test themselves against the workload to confirm medicine is the right path.”

Faculty also see the program as a chance to connect science with service.

“The is proud to play a leading role,” said Olivier LeSaux, professor and chair of the department at JABSOM. “By combining rigorous coursework with exposure to diverse disciplines, we aim to prepare students not only for professional schools but also for lifelong learning in biomedical science. This certificate represents an important new pathway for students who want to pursue careers that improve health in Hawaiʻi and beyond.”

The effort is coordinated by JABSOM and involves its Departments of Cell and Molecular Biology, and , with contributions from the and the at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

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A new partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi鈥揥别蝉迟 Oʻahu and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) will provide students with valuable hands-on training while addressing a critical shortage in the state鈥檚 public health workforce.

The 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Public Administration (PUBA) division鈥檚 Health Care Administration (HCAD) certificate program equips students and health care practitioners with a broad range of administrative skills needed in the growing health care field. In consultation with DOH, PUBA has developed the HCAD DOH Pathway for practicum placements that prepare students for employment in the public health sector.

“We see it as a win-win for both DOH and 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu,” said HCAD Instructor Linda Axtell-Thompson. “There is a critical and growing shortage in public health staffing鈥攂oth locally and nationally鈥攖hat our 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu programs can help address.”

Students in the pathway must complete 120 field hours and 40 academic hours. Participants who meet requirements are eligible for tuition support, book stipends and a $2,000 practicum stipend.

Urgent need

Vacancy rates across DOH and many state agencies are about 30%, according to DOH Chief Policy Officer Lorrin Kim. Nationally, the reports that local and state health departments need an additional 80,000 full-time employees just to provide basic public health services.

“The pathway collaboration between 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu and the Department of Health is a strategic investment in our public workforce designed to expose Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future health care leaders to essential public health concepts and functions,” Kim said.

“We are incredibly excited and grateful to the Department of Health for this amazing opportunity,” said PUBA Division Chair Kristina Lu, who is also the HCAD Program Director. “Through this pathway, students will complete their administrative practicum with the DOH, gain valuable, real-world experience and be well-positioned for future employment with the department after graduation.”

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman