2017 Highlights

Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui (Hui) transitions to HIPHI. The statewide network to strengthen Hawaii’s farm to school movement joins HIPHI as a core program. The Hui was formed in 2010 and is comprised of five island-level networks, community organizations, and representatives of the Hawai‘i departments of agriculture, education, health, and the University of Hawai‘i.

Launched the first public health legislative recap. HIPHI releases Hawaii’s first-ever, post-legislative session report on how key public health priorities fared in the 2017 legislative session. The recap helps advocates and Hawai‘i residents understand the major health issues discussed during the legislative session, how these policies may affect them, and why so many of these bills die in committee.

Passed Smoke-Free Vehicles in Honolulu. Honolulu City Council acts to protect our keiki from the toxic effects of secondhand smoke and vapor in vehicles. Their unanimous vote sends a strong message to kids across Oahu that they have been heard and that their health and wellbeing matters to their government.

Partnered with SeaRider and students on vaping counter-marketing campaign. A new partnership is cemented between SeaRider and HIPHI to better understand what messages work with youth on the dangers of vaping. The foundation is laid for a countermarketing campaign to begin in 2018.

Coordinated oral health town hall meetings across the state. HIPHI partners with the Hawai‘i State Department of Health Family Health Services Division to facilitate a series of strategic planning town hall meetings to gather input from stakeholders on each island. All collected input will help shape a new statewide strategic plan on oral health due to be completed in 2018.

Launched Perspectives on Community Health storymap. Over the last few years, HIPHI has organzied more than 40 daytime outings to help government officials, public health workers, and advocates visit organizations impacting health in their own communities. This year, we launched an online interactive story map to share some of what we learned through these inspiring, educational visits.

Partnered with HPCA and Department of Health on Ho‘ola conference. HIPHI partnered with Hawai‘i Primary Care Association (HPCA) and Department of Health to bring together hundreds of health care workers and public health professionals to share and learn at ho’ōla: The Hawai‘i Health Care Conference.

The Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui is a statewide network comprised of five island-level networks, community organizations, and representatives of the Hawai‘i departments of agriculture, education, health, and the University of Hawai‘i.

The Hui formed in 2010 and became a program of the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute (HIPHI) in 2017.

The Hui’s mission is to strengthen Hawaii’s statewide farm to school movement by supporting our island networks in the areas of capacity building, resource development and sharing, professional development, policy development, and advocacy.

The Hui envisions a holistic education system that renews our relationship to food, farming, and the environment, improves health, and raises academic achievement. The vision is for Hawai‘i to be a center for agro-ecological education and food production and a model of regenerative community food systems for the Pacific and the world.