Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Island is a community-based alliance made up of partners from local government, health, academia, community-based organizations and residents from across Hawaiʻi Island. The alliance is dedicated to collaborating with our partners to decrease tobacco use and the negative impact smoking and vaping have on Hawaiʻi Island communities. Our mission is to provide resources that inspire our diverse communities to reduce tobacco use and exposure.
The alliance has been active and vibrant since 2003 and is committed to adding new partners and expanding our vision to reduce the health, environmental, and financial burdens of tobacco use for our island. We do this through cultivating programs, policy and system changes via education, advocacy, research, capacity building and training—to the environments where people live, learn, work, age, and play.
Our primary objectives include:
- Prevention of youth initiation of tobacco/vape products
- Promoting adult & youth nicotine addiction treatment and resources
- Eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke/vape aerosol.
- Eliminating disparities in tobacco/vape use among the population.
- Building and strengthening capacity in our community through trainings, professional development and networking
- Building youth leadership skills in advocacy
Kealoha joined HIPHI in March 2023 as the West Hawai‘i Tobacco and HEAL Coalition Coordinator. Before joining HIPHI, Kealoha was engaged in tobacco education, coalition, and policy work with Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i Island for three years. She worked as a certified tobacco treatment specialist, where she helped her community quit their tobacco use and encourage healthier lifestyles and helped organize the youth coalition on Hawai‘i Island, the Hawai‘i Island Youth Academy.
Kealoha was born and raised in Hakipu‘u, O‘ahu, and moved to Hawai‘i Island in 2003, currently residing in the beautiful town of Waimea. During her free time, Kealoha enjoys planting succulents, being outdoors, going to the beach, and spending time with family.
Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council
Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Island