Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Spring 2025 Updates

As we welcome spring 2025, we reflect on the incredible strides made by the Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association (HICHWA) throughout 2024. HICHWA successfully hosted the impactful statewide Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Conference in August 2024, where we kicked off Community Health Worker (CHW) Awareness Month and celebrated the dedication of our CHWs throughout Hawai‘i. Their efforts were recognized nationally when they received the American Public Health Association (APHA) CHW Section Group of the Year Award, a testament to their commitment to supporting and advancing the CHW workforce. With ongoing advocacy efforts and comprehensive training programs, HICHWA continues to highlight and support the vital work CHWs do in their communities. Together, they are fostering growth and resilience, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.

Growing Advocacy Efforts

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, our HICHWA Leadership Council attended the 2025 Legislative Opening Day to raise awareness about the CHW workforce. HICHWA created its first ever brochure to help highlight the vital roles that CHWs play throughout our Hawai‘i communities and the support provided by HICHWA to CHWs. Elected officials were pleased to hear about the excellent work CHWs continue to do and look forward to supporting the advancement of the CHW workforce. The HICHWA Leadership Council will continue to advocate for the CHW workforce, network and collaborate with our state’s leaders, and follow all bills that may affect CHWs. HICHWA will also be joining the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) and Partners In Health (PIH) at their annual Capitol Hill Visit.  

To request a copy of the HICHWA brochure, please email info@hichw.org. 

Preparing for 2025 Regional Meetings

Since the beginning of February 2025, The HICHWA Leadership Council has been hard at work engaging in facilitator’s training to ensure the success of their upcoming Regional Meetings, set to take place from June to July. This training is pivotal in preparing HICHWA leaders to connect with CHWs right where they are, facilitating meaningful discussions and support across Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i. By meeting CHWs in their local communities, HICHWA aims to strengthen our network, foster collaboration, and address the unique needs of each region, further empowering the dedicated CHWs to make a lasting impact in their communities.

If you are a CHW interested in learning more about Regional Meetings happening in your community, join us for our monthly CHW Only meetings every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Visit hichw.org/events for more information. 

STAY CONNECTED

• Visit the HICHWA website to join our upcoming monthly CHW Only Meetings, committee meetings, and more: hichw.org.
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @HawaiiCHWA to stay connected with the association and all CHW happenings throughout Hawai‘i. 
• Join our listserv to get monthly newsletters and additional resources sent directly to you. 
• To learn more about how you can support CHWs throughout the state of Hawai‘i, please contact info@hichw.org.