University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 nursing faculty member Cynthia Taylor Greywolf has been honored by the Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) with the 2026 Ann M. Voda American Indian/Alaska Native/First Nation Conference Award for her significant contributions to Indigenous health research.

This award supports Indigenous nurses, students and researchers attending WIN‘s annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference, aiming to increase visibility and representation within academia.

“For me, the award is not only an individual honor,” said Greywolf, assistant professor at the . “It affirms the importance of Indigenous-led nursing research and scholarship that is grounded in community, sovereignty and cultural accountability.”

Indigenous health and healing

Greywolf, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, focuses her research on Indigenous health, historical and intergenerational trauma, alcohol use, mental health disparities and culturally grounded healing approaches. At the conference, she presented the poster, “Weaponized Spirits: Alcohol as a Colonial Legacy and Its Impact on Trauma and Relational, Structural, and Epistemic Harms in a Rural Native Hawaiian Community.”

At 糖心视频 Manoa, Greywolf plans to continue strengthening Indigenous health research, mentoring students, and building partnerships that support Native Hawaiian and American Indian communities. Her work uses storytelling methods and historical trauma frameworks to inform early intervention efforts.

Indigenous nurse scientists remain underrepresented in research. Currently, there are only about 25 federally recognized tribal citizens with PhDs in nursing nationwide.

“For Cherokee people and other citizens of federally recognized tribes, citizenship is a political and legal relationship with a sovereign Tribal Nation,” Greywolf said. “My Cherokee citizenship is part of who I am, where I come from, and how I understand my responsibilities as a nurse scientist.”

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Indigenous communities in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Hawaiʻi share similar healthcare challenges, including rural care access and physician shortages. A partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and the University of Auckland aims to strengthen Indigenous nursing research and improve care across the Pacific.

During a five-month visit in 2027, recipient Ebony Komene (Ng膩puhi, Te Arawa, Tainui), a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, will collaborate with Associate Professor Donna-Marie Palakiko, a , in the (SONDH) to explore how Indigenous nurse practitioners provide care and relationships that improve health outcomes.

The partnership aligns with Palakiko and SONDH nursing faculty鈥檚 research into how Native Hawaiian nurses practice differently from nurses trained outside Hawaiʻi. By comparing these findings with M膩ori nursing approaches, the researchers aim to identify shared approaches while building lasting Pacific research partnerships.

“This partnership creates an opportunity to strengthen Indigenous nursing knowledge across the Pacific,” said Palakiko, who noted that Native Hawaiian nurses often incorporate culture, family relationships and community connections into patient care alongside clinical treatment.

“Nursing has always been an Indigenous practice,” Komene said. “I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing how our ideas about care and wellbeing align across the Pacific.”

Applying cultural values to healthcare

Both M膩ori and Native Hawaiian communities rely on nurse practitioners to meet healthcare needs in rural and underserved areas. Komene said she is eager to learn from Hawaiʻi鈥檚 more established nurse practitioner workforce while sharing insights from Aotearoa.

Opportunities for Indigenous nurses to connect are rare.
—Ebony Komene

Her research uses a Kaupapa M膩ori framework, an Indigenous approach that centers M膩ori values and strengths. She said her work is guided by the M膩ori values of whakawhanaungatanga, building relationships, and manaakitanga, caring for others through generosity, reciprocity and respect.

“Opportunities for Indigenous nurses to connect are rare,” Komene said. “I want to give back by sharing what we learn through writing and guest lectures.”

As part of her Fulbright exchange, Komene will also conduct research at Washington State University.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 were awarded a $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the next phase of the Maui LOA (Learnings to Overcome Adversities) study, which examines the long-term impacts of the 2023 Maui wildfires and factors that influence health and well-being after disasters.

The three-year award is led by Alex Ortega, dean of the , and Keawe Kaholokula, chair and professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health at the (JABSOM).

“The first phase of Maui LOA revealed important lessons about the health and mental health consequences of the wildfires,” said Ortega. “With NIH鈥檚 continued support, we can now translate those lessons into evidence-based strategies that improve disaster preparedness, recovery and resilience for communities facing future disasters.”

Lessons from Maui residents

Researchers will survey 1,200 adults who were living on Maui during the wildfires, including those who were displaced, to examine factors that influence long-term recovery and disaster response among individuals, families, communities, healthcare systems and social service organizations across Maui.

Related 糖心视频 News story: Study links 2023 Maui wildfire to spike in suicide, overdose, August 7, 2025

The new award builds on an initial phase that gathered perspectives from residents, community organizations, emergency responders and healthcare providers to help guide the survey design.

Recent findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in August 2025 showed that the mental health effects of the wildfires extended across Maui, not just within burn zones. The study identified housing displacement and income loss as key drivers of depression and anxiety.

The survey findings are expected to inform public policy, emergency response planning, health services and community recovery efforts in Hawaiʻi and nationwide.

“Nearly three years into the recovery, we hope to learn more about the personal, sociocultural, community and system-level factors that promote health and well-being after experiencing a devastating disaster, such as the 2023 Maui wildfire,” Kaholokula said.

He added, “Recovery is not the same for everyone. We hope to understand how these factors evolve over time and vary across different populations as communities continue to rebuild.”

Researchers at the and 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) were awarded more than $12 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Pacific Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Medicine (PAC-AID)—a new research center dedicated to accelerating biomedical discoveries through artificial intelligence and data science to benefit people in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region, and worldwide.

Funded through the NIH‘s (COBRE) program, the five-year award will provide approximately $12 million through February 2031. The award was administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, with a federal award date of June 4, 2026.

The center will be led by Principal Investigators John Shepherd and Youping Deng. Shepherd is chief scientific officer at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center, and B.H. and Alice C. Beams Endowed Professor in Cancer Research at JABSOM. Deng is co-director, Genomics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center; and professor and director, Bioinformatics Core Facility, at JABSOM.

PAC-AID will serve as a central hub integrating AI into biomedical research to improve health outcomes in Hawaiʻi. Over five years, the project will renovate the 糖心视频 Cancer Center Data Center to establish a new Medical AI Core (MedAI Core), providing advanced, high-performance computing resources and AI expertise. Physically located within both the 糖心视频 Cancer Center and JABSOM on the shared Kakaʻako campus, PAC-AID will directly fund four major inaugural research projects and establish a Pilot Projects Program to support more than eight new, locally relevant pilot studies.

“At the heart of our mission as a flagship research university is the drive to translate innovation into meaningful impact,” said Vassilis Syrmos, incoming chancellor of 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补. “PAC-AID is a vital expansion of that mission, enabling our faculty to harness the power of artificial intelligence to pioneer new avenues of biomedical inquiry that were previously unreachable, solidifying the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补’s role as a global leader in health innovation.”

“AI has the potential to unlock major medical breakthroughs and help people live healthier lives, and we need to take advantage of it,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who played a pivotal role in securing the grant. “This new funding will help Hawaiʻi continue to attract top-tier talent and develop treatments and cures that will benefit people across the state.”

“The $12 million over five years will substantially strengthen AI and data science capabilities and support the development of the next generation of investigators,” said 糖心视频 Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno. “The research advances made possible by PAC-AID will further the 糖心视频 Cancer Center鈥檚 work toward new understandings and treatments for cancer, to save lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, and across the globe.” In addition, high paying jobs generated by this project will have a strong economic benefit for our local communities.

“At JABSOM, our mission is to improve the health of Hawaiʻi through education and research,” said Sam Shomaker, JABSOM dean. “This investment will help accelerate discoveries that address the real health challenges facing our communities and ensure that advances in AI translate into better outcomes for patients.”

Enabling workforce development

Shepherd and Deng will oversee efforts to build research capacity, as well as foster the next generation of independent investigators using artificial intelligence and advanced data science approaches to address critical medical and public health challenges. Beyond funding research, this award establishes a workforce development mechanism to support the next generation of faculty investigators.

“This COBRE award provides the critical infrastructure to bridge advanced AI computational methods with our specific clinical and community health challenges,” Shepherd said. “By fostering a collaborative environment for our investigators, we are equipping them with the technical capabilities to tackle the most persistent health disparities in our islands and turn complex data into actionable health solutions.”

“By the end of this project, we expect to have a nationally competitive Medical AI Core, four independently funded research leaders, and more than 10 pilot projects,” said Deng. “Through these efforts, alongside workshops and collaborative research opportunities, we will significantly strengthen Hawaiʻi‘s capacity for AI-enabled biomedical research and innovation to address important health challenges in our region and beyond.”

Transforming medical research with AI

Artificial intelligence is increasingly transforming healthcare and biomedical research by helping scientists analyze large and complex datasets, identify patterns that may otherwise go undetected, and accelerate the development of new approaches to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

AI has the potential to unlock major medical breakthroughs and help people live healthier lives, and we need to take advantage of it.
—U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

Shepherd, who leads the , is using a massive breast imaging database to develop AI biomarkers that predict cancer risk specifically for Asian and Pacific Islander populations.

The new PAC-AID will support similar faculty-led research projects, provide funding for pilot studies, and establish shared research resources that can be used by investigators across disciplines.

Initial funded projects include AI-driven research by 糖心视频 Cancer Center researchers Kevin Cassel (using full-body imaging to triage skin lesions) and Elizabeth Nakasone (studying pancreatic cancer in Native Hawaiian and Japanese populations); 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 public health researcher Jonathan Huang (modeling environmental toxicant effects on fetal development); and JABSOM researcher Yiqiang Zhang (identifying genetic traits in congenital heart disease).

COBRE Phase 1 grants focus on the development of independent biomedical researchers and research centers, and are designed to have a 15-year cycle.

“PAC-AID is specifically designed to develop six to eight early-stage faculty members at the University of Hawaiʻi and across Pacific Island institutions who will use artificial intelligence and data science to address cancer and chronic disease outcomes in one of the nation’s most medically underserved and understudied regions,” Shepherd said.

He added that the expected impact to Hawaiʻi is substantial. “Our benchmark for success is that the funded faculty projects, four initially and two to four more when those graduate in year 3, and will later achieve independent NIH R01 (Research 01 level university) funding at an estimated $3.25 million per award. That represents a projected $19.5 million in additional federal research funding returned to the State of Hawaiʻi (six funded R01s) on top of the initial $12 million COBRE award itself — a combined potential economic and research impact of more than $31 million for Hawaiʻi‘s research and healthcare workforce. These estimates are for the first 5-year period.”

PAC-AID joins a growing portfolio of NIH-funded Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, including the , and the .

Native Hawaiian adults experience mobility limitations—including challenges with agility, gait, balance and fall risk—at significantly higher rates and at younger ages than other major racial and ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

The study, published in the CDC鈥檚 , analyzed mobility and functional limitations among adults aged 55 and older using data from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected between 2019 and 2021.

Led by Miquela Ibrao, associate director of H膩 K奴puna and assistant professor in the , the study found that 28% of Native Hawaiian adults ages 55 and older reported mobility limitations. In contrast, rates for White, Filipino and Japanese adults ranged from 17% to 19%. These disparities were evident even among those aged 55 to 64, suggesting that mobility challenges begin earlier than typically expected for Native Hawaiians.

“This study points to the need to assess mobility changes earlier than age 65,” said Ibrao. “Staying mobile is critical to living independently and maintaining social connections.”

Addressing health equity

The research team, which included H膩 K奴puna researchers Yan Yan Wu and Kathryn Braun, investigated how social determinants of health—such as income, education, health insurance access and neighborhood walkability—influence mobility.

For both Native Hawaiian and White adults, higher income was linked to lower rates of mobility limitations, underscoring the critical role economic factors play in healthy aging.

“We need more culturally grounded, community-based programs for Native Hawaiian adults,” added Ibrao. “These initiatives are essential to address social determinants of health and help k奴puna age with dignity, connection and independence in the communities they call home.”

H膩 K奴puna researchers hope the findings will inform policies and programs aimed at reducing health disparities and improving quality of life for Native Hawaiian older adults across the state.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Associate Professor Mapuana Antonio of the received two national awards from the (APHA) for her impact on Native Hawaiian health and climate justice.

Antonio鈥檚 leadership reflects her commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge into public health education, research and practice. She mentors students in ethical Indigenous research and ensures her work connects ʻ腻颈苍补 (land) and culture to Native Hawaiian health, fully integrating Indigenous perspectives into the field.

“Receiving these awards from APHA is truly an honor and reflects the collective work of our students and communities,” said Antonio, who serves as associate chair in the . “Indigenous knowledge continues to guide solutions for health, wellbeing, and climate justice, and I鈥檓 inspired by our students who carry this work forward intentionally with cultural grounding and with a deep sense of responsibility to our communities.”

Honoring ancestral knowledge, health equity

As the Queen Liliʻuokalani Endowed Professor in Native Hawaiian Culture, Antonio earned the APHA鈥檚 Emerging Leaders Award from the (ICTHP) section for her dedication to health equity.

“She exemplifies the heart of Native Hawaiian Indigenous health,” nominators said. “Her commitment to health equity has made a lasting impact with, for, and by Native Hawaiian communities and Indigenous peoples worldwide, and her work embodies the holistic approach that is at the core of ICTHP, by honoring ancestral knowledge with contemporary scientific research to restore health, resilience and wellbeing.”

Antonio also received the Student Champions for Climate Justice Award for guiding a multidisciplinary student team, including Melissa Kahili-Heede, Caleb Rivera, Camille McComas, Kiʻilaweau Aweau and M膩koa Miura, in organizing the Climate Justice Through Indigenous Knowledge Symposium in October 2025. The event served as a platform for scholars to address environmental sustainability through traditional practices.

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.

Challenging the traditional approach to pregnancy care which focuses solely on mothers’ behaviors, new research from the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and international partners highlights the significant and often underrecognized role of fathers’ health and well-being in shaping pregnancy and child outcomes. The study was recently published in .

“The more we look, the more we find important contributions from fathers, including many factors traditionally believed to be solely the responsibility of the pregnant person, such as weight status, substance use or being an older parent,” said Jonathan Huang, lead author of the study and assistant professor at the in the . “In some cases, paternal contributions are even larger than their maternal counterparts and several are related intergenerationally to the fathers’ own upbringing.”

A framework for preconception health

This transdisciplinary review uses evidence from biological, behavioral and social sciences to create a framework for men’s role in preconception health. The findings show that a man’s early life experiences—including stress, physical and mental health, environment and education—influence his health during reproductive years. These factors can, in turn, affect his partner’s health and health behaviors (such as prenatal care) before and during pregnancy, as well as having direct biological effects on the developing infant.

The research addresses ethical concerns, noting that placing all responsibility for a child’s future health on the birthing parent reinforces gender biases. Furthermore, the researchers emphasize that racism and colonialism have disrupted family and community roles for many Black and brown men, creating barriers to addressing their health needs. This disruption underscores the need for culturally grounded approaches, which are particularly effective for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander men.

“Policies and programs are needed to strengthen family and community bonds while centering the health and well-being of 办腻苍别 [men] within their cultural roles. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander men are less likely to engage in Western-based health interventions than their female counterparts, but are more responsive to culturally grounded approaches,” said Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, co-author and chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health in the .

Improving the health of Hawaiian 办腻苍别

Kaholokula stated that the traditional concept of Hale Mua—a cultural space for men—offers a blueprint for improving the health of Hawaiian 办腻苍别 by creating safe spaces for mentorship, life instruction, emotional regulation and the transmission of cultural values, which reinforces their kuleana (responsibility) to family and community.

The researchers emphasize that policymakers, public health agencies, clinicians, researchers and men themselves all have a role in improving preconception health. Investing in the wellbeing of boys and young men is key to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for future generations.

Huang added, “Raising awareness about the importance of men’s health does not diminish the critical importance of women and pregnant persons’ well-being. Rather it serves as a collective call-in to ensure that men and partners are equipped to be supportive partners, allies and caretakers before, during, and long after pregnancy.”

The research team includes collaborators from the continental U.S., the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Singapore. A companion study highlights the work of the international Core Indicators for Preconception Health and Equity (iCIPHE) Alliance in improving how preconception health is measured and monitored.

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 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 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.

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 糖心视频 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.

Helen (Nalani) Blaisdell-Brennan, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM), has recently received multiple national honors recognizing her leadership, mentorship and commitment to mental health equity.

A JABSOM alumna, Blaisdell-Brennan was named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a designation reserved for psychiatrists who demonstrate sustained and outstanding contributions to the field. She was also recognized as an APA Mental Health Equity Champion for her work expanding access to culturally responsive care and improving outcomes for underserved populations.

“Mental health equity means that every person has a fair opportunity to achieve the highest possible level of mental well-being, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, or cultural identity,” said Blaisdell-Brennan.

Blaisdell-Brennan holds leadership roles at the local, state and national levels, including president-elect of the Honolulu County Medical Society and service on the American Psychiatric Association Assembly Executive Committee, where she is president of the American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian Caucus. She has also received two national APA awards recognizing excellence in practice and mentorship.

Psychiatric care rooted in culture and community

With nearly two decades of experience, Blaisdell-Brennan emphasizes psychiatric care that considers cultural identity, community and lived experience. Her work has included advocacy for telehealth access and workforce development to support care in underserved areas.

“Cultural humility means recognizing that we don鈥檛 hold all the answers,” she said. “Our patients do. They bring the wisdom of their ʻohana, their community and their lived experience into the healing process.”

“Dr. Blaisdell-Brennan鈥檚 work continues to elevate mental health care in Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “Combining clinical leadership, advocacy, and a focus on equity to advance practice in ways that are both respectful and impactful is everything we aim to do at JABSOM, and we congratulate Dr. Blaisdell-Brennan on these honors.”

Blaisdell-Brennan is the daughter of Kekuni Blaisdell, a physician who was among the founding faculty of JABSOM.

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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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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.

The children鈥檚 storybook , which helps children understand Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, has been adapted into a . The story follows P艒mai, a young girl learning to support her Papa (grandfather) as he experiences memory loss, offering a gentle, culturally grounded way for families to start conversations about dementia. First released by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 in 2019 and translated into ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in 2025, the story has reached keiki and caregivers across the islands.

Related 糖心视频 News story: Dementia storybook released statewide

The animation was developed by Kalilinoe Detwiler, a 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 PhD candidate in English, with the , housed in the . It brings the storybook to life with vibrant visuals, expressive characters and narration voiced by H膩 K奴puna team members.

“We hope the book and video will open conversations between children, parents and k奴puna about dementia in a cultural and age-appropriate way,” said Detwiler, who is an , and co-principal investigator for the Symphony of Hawaiʻi Seas project. “I enjoy spending time with the characters, imagining their expressions and who they might sit beside in the setting. I also enjoy imagining visual representations to subtle changes in their emotions and understanding of dementia.”

The project began in January 2025 and included storyboarding, visual design, background art, voice recording, animation and editing.

“As we create resources for ʻōpio (youth) and caregivers, we recognize there are mediums that best suit the intergenerational households in Hawaiʻi,” added Detwiler. “Animation is one of those mediums. It opens possibilities for stories that can be challenging or heavy,”

“The purpose of H膩 K奴puna is to enhance understanding of k奴puna, celebrate their lives, and improve eldercare services,” said Shelley Muneoka, H膩 K奴puna program coordinator. “Storybooks and animation help extend this information to new audiences in a meaningful way.”

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A Native Hawaiian nurse leader at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (SONDH) has earned national recognition for her work advancing health equity. Donna-Marie Palakiko was named a 2025 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) and a Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN).

“I am honored to be inducted into the 2025 Class of New Fellows for the American Academy of Nursing,” said Palakiko, associate professor and SONDH director of cultural innovation and strategy. “This recognition is shared with those who volunteered to be a part of my program of research, supported my learning & growth, and most of all, my ʻOhana. I am excited to continue the work to improve health among Indigenous communities.”

Fellowship in AAN recognizes individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on health and healthcare through research, policy, practice – and education. Palakiko was inducted in October 2025 during the academy鈥檚 annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, U.S.

As a Distinguished Fellow of ADLN, she joins a national network of leaders advancing justice, equity, diversity – and inclusion in nursing.

According to ADLN, “The 2025 Fellows represent a powerful collective dedicated to shaping the future of nursing and healthcare by ensuring all voices are heard and valued.”

Research and community impact

Related 糖心视频 News story: Nursing innovator fellowship for 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 assistant professor

Palakiko joined 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 in 2019 as the first Native Hawaiian nurse to be hired and receive tenure with promotion at SONDH. Her research addresses asthma inequities among Native Hawaiians and focuses on building a culturally responsive health workforce. For more than 25 years, Palakiko has advanced health equity for Native Hawaiians and other underserved communities. Her work focuses on culturally safe health programs, strengthening the nursing workforce, and addressing social and cultural factors that influence health.

Earlier this year, Palakiko joined the American Public Health Association (APHA) leadership team and serves on the boards of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurses Association (NCEMNA) and the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA).

She earned her doctorate from the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, her master鈥檚 of science from the University of California, San Francisco, and her bachelor鈥檚 of science from the University of San Francisco. She is a 2022 Fulbright Post-Doctoral Fellow, a 2023 Fellow of the LEADS program, and a recipient of the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders & Innovators.

For Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda, receiving the American Indian Science and Engineering Society鈥檚 (AISES) Blazing Flame Professional Award marks a full-circle moment in her mission to uplift Indigenous students in STEM. The national honor recognizes her decades of work expanding opportunities for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

“I鈥檝e been a part of AISES since I was an undergraduate, and they really helped me flourish—from undergrad to graduate school and now in my professional career,” said Hosoda, director of the at the University of awaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (JABSOM). “So this award, to me, is more than just recognition from a national organization—it also means a lot for Hawaiʻi.”

At JABSOM, Hosoda leads initiatives that improve Native Hawaiian health through education, research & community engagement, encouraging students to pursue careers in medicine and other health professions.

Bridging communities through mentorship

Hosoda鈥檚 involvement with 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program (NHSEMP) inspired her to co-found the university鈥檚 first AISES student chapter with her husband, creating a bridge between local and national Indigenous STEM communities. She later helped revise AISES policies to expand eligibility for scholarships and internships to all Indigenous students.

Related 糖心视频 News story: Advancing the science of mentorships

Over the past 12 years, Hosoda has mentored more than 100 students—many now working in research and medicine. Through programs such as Kauhale Medical Scholars, she continues to guide pre-med students from Hawaiʻi鈥檚 neighbor islands and public schools.

“Being part of AISES taught me to bring my whole self to work,” Hosoda said. “That sense of balance and authenticity is something I try to pass on to my students.”

A proud 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 alumna, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 in biology and Hawaiian language, a master鈥檚 in molecular biosciences and bioengineering, and a PhD in communication and information sciences—experiences that deepened her integration of ʻIke Hawaiʻi and STEM.

Hosoda will receive the Blazing Flame Professional Award at the AISES National Conference in Minneapolis this October.

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The first comprehensive guide for conducting qualitative interviews with Native Hawaiian elders (k奴puna) has been released, offering researchers a culturally grounded framework for building trust and reciprocity. Developed by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 in partnership with , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian advancement, the guide aims to ensure research practices reflect Hawaiian values and benefit communities.

is a 48-page resource designed for students, faculty and community researchers. It provides practical tools for engaging k奴puna in ways that honor cultural traditions, strengthen relationships and share knowledge responsibly.

“There are many past examples of extractive or harmful research practices with Indigenous people,” said Shelley Muneoka, a lead researcher on the study. “This protocol flips the script by placing cultural values, reciprocity and community well-being at the center of the research process.”

The free guide was published alongside a peer-reviewed article in and draws on more than five years of collaboration with k奴puna across Hawaiʻi.

What the guide offers

The resource reflects principles of community-based participatory research and includes:

• Historical context on harmful research practices and the rise of Hawaiian-led approaches.
• Self-reflection tools for examining privilege, positionality and potential bias.
• Recommendations on entering communities, obtaining consent, conducting interviews and offering reciprocity through makana (gifts).
• Guidance on disseminating results in ways that return knowledge to participants and communities.
• Although rooted in Native Hawaiian experiences, the authors note the guide has broader relevance for research with Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.

“This qualitative protocol guide is about shifting historical research dynamics to recognize that Native Hawaiian elders carry the ʻike (knowledge) and values that should guide how research happens,” said Keilyn Kawakami, the article鈥檚 first author. “The guide is an important tool for students and faculty embarking on research with k奴puna.”

H膩 K奴puna, one of three National Resource Centers for Native Elders funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is housed in the .

A first–of–its–kind fellowship in Hawaiʻi is training the next generation of culturally grounded behavioral health providers, thanks to a new collaboration between the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) Department of Native Hawaiian Health and (HILT).

The program, called Mohala Liko Lehua, will host three post–doctoral psychology (PsyD) fellows and three post–master of social work (MSW) fellows, who will be trained and supervised by licensed psychologists and social workers at JABSOM. Fellows will partner with HILT to design and deliver behavioral health services on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island, strengthening community capacity and promoting wellbeing.

Hands-on training rooted in Hawaiian values

Throughout the one–year fellowship, participants will receive advanced training in trauma–informed, ʻ腻颈苍补 (land)– and culture–based care rooted in Hawaiian values. Their work will be integrated into HILT鈥檚 community preserves and existing educational programs. The fellows will also receive their clinical training at Queen鈥檚 Health Systems sites on Oʻahu and Maui, as well as the Ka Malu a Waʻahila Behavioral Health program for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补. Program goals include serving at least 4,000 youth, enhancing HILT staff capacity, and measuring community impact.

Robin Miyamoto, program director at JABSOM, said the program鈥檚 name draws from the ʻ艒濒别濒辞 noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb), M艒hala i ka wai, ka maka o ka pua, suggesting that flowers thrive when the environmental conditions are good.

This reminds us of our responsibility to protect and sustain our culture and the health of our people so that future generations can thrive.
—Robin Miyamoto

“This reminds us of our responsibility to protect and sustain our culture and the health of our people so that future generations can thrive,” she explained. “This program will enhance and expand our existing training efforts and will serve as a new pipeline for behavioral health clinicians. It is grounded in a foundation of cultural humility and safety, focusing on promoting resilience rather than solely addressing disparities.”

In addition to meeting immediate behavioral health needs, the program serves as a workforce development pipeline, preparing homegrown providers who can deliver culturally fluent care across Hawaiʻi.

“Mohala Liko Lehua is informed by and designed for underrepresented communities, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations that have long faced systemic health disparities and underinvestment in behavioral health,” said ʻOlu Campbell, president and CEO of HILT. “Addressing these inequities requires solutions that are community–driven, rooted in ʻ腻颈苍补 and culture, and grounded in trust–based relationships.”

Supported by the Health Resources & Services Administration, Maui United Way, 糖心视频, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and other partners, JABSOM and HILT plan to continue Mohala Liko Lehua for at least four years, training a minimum of 24 fellows. Additional funding is still needed to sustain the program.

Deaths by suicide and drug overdose significantly increased in the aftermath of the August 2023 Maui wildfire, according to a new study published in the (JAMA).

Public health must be adequately prepared to respond to serious mental health consequences of wildfires and other climate-related disasters
—Alex Ortega

The study, led by Alex Ortega, dean of the , and Keawe鈥榓imoku Kaholokula, chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health, in the , both at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, along with Jonathan Purtle, associate professor at , is one of the first to show that wildfires can lead to immediate deaths from suicide and drug overdose.

“Nationally and globally, we have seen an increase in devastating wildfires, and these fires can have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of communities,” said Ortega. “Public health must be adequately prepared to respond to serious mental health consequences of wildfires and other climate-related disasters that are increasing in both frequency and severity.”

Death rates increased statewide

The researchers analyzed death records from all of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 counties from 2014 through 2023, focusing on suicides and drug overdoses. They compared the death rates before, during and after the wildfires.

Due to Centers for Disease Control data use agreements and to protect confidentiality of individuals who died, the study authors are not allowed to report numbers smaller than 10.

The study showed that in August 2023, suicide and overdose death rates increased by 46% statewide. However, the impact was much greater in Maui, where there was a 97% increase in suicide and overdose deaths compared to prior months. When limiting their analysis to just suicides in August 2023, they found that the suicide rate was 182% higher in Maui than other islands in the state.

“Prior research has found similar effects in the months after wildfires and other disasters. But the immediacy of the effects on suicide rates that we observed in Maui are unique and troubling,” said Purtle.

Researchers suggest that both direct exposure to the wildfires and indirect effects, such as concern for loved ones, may have contributed to the rise in death rates. The findings also show that residents who fled Maui for other islands could have contributed to the increase in state-wide suicide and overdose deaths.

In an earlier study led by the 糖心视频 researchers, the team documented a 41% rise in 988 Lifeline calls after the Lahaina wildfires, exposing critical gaps in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 mental health infrastructure.

A call to action

This recent study emphasized the importance of early behavioral health intervention during disaster responses and recommends including suicide and overdose prevention in wildfire response and recovery plans.

Related 糖心视频 News story: 糖心视频 to study Lahaina wildfire response and impact on residents, July 15, 2024

Kaholokula noted disaster recovery must address more than just rebuilding physical infrastructure. “Plans should also focus on the psychological and emotional impacts communities face鈥攊ncluding hopelessness, cultural disconnection and stigma,” he said. “There needs to be a plan for suicide and substance abuse prevention, and other mental health support.”

The study used the most recent death data available from the CDC. Researchers will use 2024 data when it becomes available to see if there is was an increase in suicides and/or overdoses over the course of 2024, as more time elapsed since the wildfires.

This study is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Maui LOA (Learnings to Overcome Adversities) project, a five-year effort led by 糖心视频 researchers to understand how disasters like the Lahaina wildfires affect community, healthcare, and emergency response system resiliency. The research focuses on vulnerable populations and aims to strengthen health system resilience and improve access to care.

With Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Asian populations facing some of the highest diabetes rates in the nation, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 has received a $2.35 million renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand research, strengthen infrastructure and train the next generation of scientists. In its seventh year of funding, the center is part of 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Centers for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and continues to focus on tackling this critical public health challenge.

“Diabetes and prediabetes affect nearly half of the U.S. population, and even more so in underserved communities,” said Mariana Gerschenson, professor in the at the (JABSOM), who leads the initiative as principal investigator. “Our goal is to build a sustainable, collaborative center that addresses both the biological mechanisms and health differences associated with diabetes in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.”

Related 糖心视频 News story: $11.7M grant renewal advances diabetes research in Hawaiʻi

Since its inception, the center has played a pivotal role in mentoring seven research leaders and seven pilot investigators. Phase 2 will significantly expand this mission through several key initiatives:

• Investigating diabetic complications: Focused research on complications that occur at higher rates in racial and ethnic minorities.
• Faculty recruitment: Bringing in four new tenure-track faculty members specializing in translational diabetes and insulin resistance research.
• Pipeline development: Supporting pilot projects to cultivate a robust pipeline of future research leaders.
• Community engagement: Strengthening community outreach through an annual symposium and enhanced digital resources.

The renewed award will support key research project leaders, including cell and molecular biology faculty Kathryn Schunke and Michael Ortega, as well as graduate students, postdocs, and the led by Chair Olivier Le Saux.

Innovative research projects

Current research projects at the Diabetic Research Center are exploring innovative solutions and deeper understandings of diabetes, including:

• Developing non-invasive sweat sensors for monitoring complications.
• Studying the genomic links between diabetes and stroke in Native Hawaiians.
• Understanding diabetic autonomic neuropathy using animal models.
• Investigating diabetic renal disease using animal models.