Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Hawaiʻi Island Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL)

Promoting health and well-being across Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaii Island
Section Navigation

Hawaiʻi Island HEAL works in tandem with all of our Hawaiʻi Island coalitions to cultivate a healthier Hawaiʻi Island community. We believe in lifting up community members to achieve positive health outcomes and we do it by collaborating with partners across a wide range of sectors and Hawaiʻi Island districts.

Hawaiʻi Island coalition coordinators work to advance local level policies aimed to increase access to healthy foods and active transportation and supports statewide policies focused on healthy eating and active living through the HEAL Statewide Coalition.

Join HEAL
HEAL Logo

2024 Highlights and 2025 Priorities

  • Convened a Hawai’i County HEAL Coalition focused on Food Access and Built Environment initiatives
  • Engaged in policy advocacy for bills such as Universal School Meals, Expanded SNAP Benefits, and Freedom to Walk 
  • Led Safe Route to School initiatives, including assisting with the implementation of Act 244 (HB600) relating to Safe Routes to School and the creation of an Advisory Committee
  • Provided education related to healthy eating and active living concepts through community engagement
  • Continue building relationships and adding Hawaiʻi County Coalition Members
  • Strategic Priorities:
    • Create a “Healthy Food Backpacks” Program for Island Youth  
    • Plan and seek funding for a long-term “healthy food education fund”
    • Develop and launch an educational media campaign for bicycle and pedestrian safety
    • Implement Complete Streets and Vision Zero in Hawaiʻi County
    • Provide access to Island-wide health and wellness resources 

Partners

Hawaii Island Resources

If you would like to get involved, or have questions, comments, or suggestions please contact our Hawaiʻi Island HEAL coordinators. We look forward to hearing from you!

Patti Hatzistavrakis

Patti Hatzistavrakis

Statewide Active Transportation Specialist
patti@hiphi.org
In early 2025, after two years working as the East Hawai'i Healthy Eating + Active Living Coalition Coordinator, Patti transitioned into the Statewide Active Transportation Specialist role. Patti is passionate about creating built environments that enable all people to safely and enjoyably utilize active modes of transportation to access vital services, food outlets, work, school, and recreation. She is dedicated to collaborating with county and state agencies and community organizations to improve road safety and community design to foster healthier, more active lifestyles. Patti holds a B.A. in Kinesiology (Health Promotion) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She is pursuing a Master of Health Sciences in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Northwestern Health Sciences University.
Emma Waters, MA

Emma Waters, MA

Hawaiʻi County Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Coalition Coordinator
emmawaters@hiphi.org

[She/her/hers] Emma joined HIPHI in October 2025 as the Hawai‘i County Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Coalition Coordinator. In this role, she supports the coalition in advancing health-promoting initiatives aligned with the State Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Plan. Her work focuses on increasing access to healthy, locally grown food and promoting a built environment that supports walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation.

Before joining HIPHI, Emma worked with Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and HOPE Services Hawai‘i, Inc., where she supported community-based health and social service programs. She holds a master’s degree in Teaching Languages and a bachelor’s degree in English. Outside of work, Emma enjoys swimming in the ocean and spending time with friends and ʻohana.

Back To Top