Keeping Hawai‘i Healthy 2025 – Q4

Hawai‘i Pacific Health

Health starts where we live, learn, work and play. At Hawai‘i Pacific Health (HPH), this means addressing community needs beyond traditional hospital walls.

Photo courtesy: Hawai‘i Pacific Health

That’s why HPH partners with community organizations to address social and economic conditions that support better health, including housing stability, food access and financial security.

“We want to go beyond just individual health outcomes and treating diseases to improve the upstream drivers of health,” says Michael Robinson, HPH’s vice president of government relations and community affairs.

HPH is a not-for-profit health care network of hospitals, clinics, physicians and care providers serving Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region. It also collaborates with community development financial institutions to invest in affordable housing development, low-cost mortgages for low-income homebuyers and home construction for Native Hawaiians on Hawaiian homelands. These organizations are mission-driven lenders that focus on promoting economic growth in underserved communities.

The collective impact since 2023 has resulted in 900 new affordable housing units in development. Additionally, it’s paved the way for over 90 small farmers to strengthen their businesses through loans and technical assistance, and for 1,700 financially struggling households to receive help with financial education, loans, housing counseling and credit building, Robinson says.

HPH has invested in the Feed the Hunger Fund and Hawai‘i Investment Ready to support local food hubs and small food businesses. It also partners with Hawai‘i Foodbank and Farm Link Hawai‘i to make fresh, local produce available to food insecure families.

“HPH also supports our local food system by setting a goal to purchase at least 50% of produce and proteins served in our medical centers from local farmers,” Robinson says, and “partnering with Kamehameha Schools on this goal has increased the collective impact of our joint institutional food purchasing power.”

HPH is also working to reduce health disparities by improving economic mobility for ALICE individuals and families, or those considered “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” The health system has invested in financial services, job training and employment opportunities for people from under-resourced communities who are looking at careers in health care.

“Our innovative Academic Health Center, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Education and Waipahu High School, is a great example of this,” Robinson says.

Other HPH partners include Hawaiian Community Assets, which provides financial education and grant and loan programs that help local households build wealth that can be shared and passed on to future generations. HPH also supports Aloha United Way’s ALICE Cohort, a collective of nonprofit organizations aimed at advancing financial stability, housing solutions and workforce opportunities for Hawai‘i’s struggling households.

One Kalākaua

To meet its goal as a vibrant community for longevity and healthy aging, One Kalākaua Senior Living has lush grounds, engaging social opportunities and a mission that aligns with Blue Zone values – places in the world where people regularly live healthy lives into their 100s.

Photo courtesy: One Kalākaua Senior Living

“The latest advancements in healthy aging point to Blue Zone regions and how lifestyle, environment, community and purpose play a role,” says Leina Ijacic, CEO at One Kalākaua. “We strive to be the leader in Hawai‘i for healthy aging in these driving factors.”

Activities and programs at the Honolulu assisted living facility focus on physical and mental health, spiritual growth and community engagement. Residents enjoy fitness classes, fresh and nutritious meals, and a sense of fun and community.

One Kalākaua has earned a perfect score from the Hawai‘i Department of Health in 7 of the past 10 inspection surveys, something Ijacic calls “an unprecedented track record in the assisted living industry.”

Over the past year, One Kalākaua has also strengthened strategic partnerships with Straub Benioff Medical Center; Navian Hawaii, one of the state’s only local nonprofit hospice providers; and the University of Hawai‘i.

It currently serves as an educational site for the geriatric physician fellowship program at UH Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, bringing the next generation of doctors into the community. One Kalākaua also partners with the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at UH Mānoa, where senior nursing students work with staff to provide care in the facility’s on-site clinic and residential units.

Ijacic points out that such partnerships are a “win-win” because they provide students “the opportunity to learn the many components of health and wellness, while helping our kūpuna as the school brings the most up to date care practices to improve the services we provide.”

One Kalākaua is Hawai‘i’s only fee-simple assisted living facility. Residents have the option to rent or purchase their units, and may sell the units or pass them along to next of kin.

“We strive to keep our residents independent and engaged, while offering personalized support to promote healthy aging,” Ijacic says.

Investing in retirement: why One Kalakaua is more than just a condo

For those seeking peace of mind in retirement or long-term value in investment, One Kalakaua Senior Living delivers both. This fee-simple condominium for adults 55 and older blends ownership, resort-style amenities, and continuity of care in the heart of Honolulu.

Photo courtesy: One Kalākaua Senior Living

Equity in ownership
Fee-simple ownership sets One Kalakaua apart from other senior facilities, giving residents the confidence of truly having a home within a supportive community. This model allows buyers to build equity, with units that can be willed to heirs, rented, or sold, providing both peace of mind and long-term value.

A full continuum of services & convenience
One of the greatest risks in retirement housing is the uncertainty of changing health needs. One Kalakaua addresses this with a complete continuum of care, offering independent living, assisted living, and a skilled nursing facility all within the community. This approach minimizes disruption for residents and reduces both the financial and emotional costs of moving.

In addition, unit amenities such as weekly housekeeping, dining services, fitness facilities, a pool and jacuzzi, wellness programs, and on-site medical response provide convenience, safety, and a higher quality of life every day.

Location + market trends = potential appreciation
Condo prices on O‘ahu have continued to rise year over year, reflecting steady demand. One Kalakaua’s location in Honolulu, close to medical centers, shops, and everyday amenities, strengthens its appeal for retirees seeking a walkable, service-rich community.

Risk mitigation & peace of mind
Meals, fitness, wellness programs, and health care at One Kalakaua reduce many of the unpredictable costs and stresses that often come with later years. The combination of ownership and services secures much of the lifestyle residents want without unwelcome surprises.

In short, One Kalakaua provides retirees with lasting peace of mind by combining the security of equity with the comfort of care, services, and a prime Honolulu location.

To learn more or schedule a personal showing, visit onekalakaua.net.

Hawaii Dental Service

Hawaii Dental Service is the leading dental benefits provider in the state, serving over one million residents across the Islands.

Maintaining access to care through HDS’s wide network of providers is always a top priority, which is why community outreach has become an important component of HDS’s efforts. Rural communities with fewer dentists may experience a gap in access to care, an issue HDS is actively working to address.

“I’ve seen firsthand, at community health centers on the neighbor islands, that access to dentists and specialists can be limited,” says HDS Dental Director, Dr. Vinh Tran.

HDS is committed to expanding access to dental care, especially in communities that need it most. To recruit and retain more dentists in rural areas, HDS is actively working to get high school and college-aged students interested in dental careers.

Smile Makers is HDS’s community program that works with local dentists and schools to spread the word via social media and educational materials that showcase dentistry as a rewarding career path.

The HDS Foundation also funds scholarships for students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene and contributes to loan repayment programs run by the state.

Choosing a career in dentistry is also a way for students to give back to their communities, Tran says.

“Dental care is constantly evolving and HDS’s mission is to champion oral health for Hawai‘i families. To achieve our mission, we’re working in partnership with local dentists, hygienists, and assistants to ensure everyone in our communities has access to the care they need.”

Photo: Getty Images

For nearly 20 years, HDS has hosted its signature community outreach event, the HDS Tooth Fairy Fun Day, to provide screenings and educational outreach to families on O‘ahu. This year marked the first time the organization brought the event to Wailuku, Maui. One family even drove all the way from Hāna to attend.

“We try to bring access everywhere,” Tran says. “Community outreach is a core part of what we do, and we’ll continue to find new ways to make an impact. At the end of the day, it’s about creating healthier smiles across Hawai‘i, one community at a time.”