Hawai‘i Public Health Institute is home to many public health programs, projects, and initiatives. We organize our work into four portfolios, each aimed at advancing the health and wellness of the people and islands of Hawai‘i.
Our Research portfolio is focused on advancing public health through robust data collection, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. We work with communities to conduct research driven by their priorities and with their involvement throughout the process, moving ideas to action. Our goal is to empower communities, amplify their voices, and bridge the gap between community needs and academic research.
Ola HAWAII (Health And Wellness Achieved by Impacting Inequalities)
In partnership with the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine Ola HAWAII aims to improve health and reduce disparities for those communities in Hawai‘i that suffer disproportionately in health outcomes and healthcare access. The Community Engagement Core (CEC), one of four cores that make up Ola HAWAII, partners with Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute to streamline moving funds to the community for capacity building and resource sharing.
AIM-AHEAD
The National Institutes of Health’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) program has established mutually beneficial, coordinated, and trusted partnerships to enhance the participation and representation of researchers and communities currently underrepresented in the development of AI/ML models and to improve the capabilities of this emerging technology.
HIPHI received a one-year grant that focuses on research that will examine how AI/ML can generate a model that identifies tobacco cessation interventions specifically tailored to the needs and culture of Filipinos. This study partners with Dr. Arcy Imasa and the Primary Care Clinic of Hawai‘i to identify a model to improve tobacco and e-cigarette cessation among Filipinos in Hawai‘i.
May Rose Dela Cruz, DrPH, MPH
[she/her] May Rose joined HIPHI in October 2021 to lead the coordination of internal and external plans that increase awareness of public health research, invite collaboration, and promote local efforts to support structures and processes that improve health. She is an Assistant Researcher at UH Office of Public Health Studies and previously held a role as Co-Director at ʻImi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, Papa Ola Lōkahi. She received her BA in Psychology, MPH in Social & Behavioral Health Science, and DrPH in Community-Based & Translational Research from UH Mānoa. She enjoys baking cupcakes and cookies, and balances it out by growing her own veggies with her family.
May Rose Dela Cruz, DrPH, MPH
[she/her] May Rose joined HIPHI in October 2021 to lead the coordination of internal and external plans that increase awareness of public health research, invite collaboration, and promote local efforts to support structures and processes that improve health. She is an Assistant Researcher at UH Office of Public Health Studies and previously held a role as Co-Director at ʻImi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, Papa Ola Lōkahi. She received her BA in Psychology, MPH in Social & Behavioral Health Science, and DrPH in Community-Based & Translational Research from UH Mānoa. She enjoys baking cupcakes and cookies, and balances it out by growing her own veggies with her family.
Data and Evaluation
Data and Evaluation are vital to ensuring the success and effectiveness of Public Health programs. It guides effective decision-making, allows for continuous improvements, and provides clear evidence to overall impact. In addition, we understand that efforts towards health attainment for all must include fostering a culture of data and evaluation that center our community’s voices and experiences.
At HIPHI, this involves the development of Data Governance within our organization to guide the effective, transparent, and ethical use of data across our programs. We also develop tailored evaluation processes and frameworks that reflect the unique needs of our programs and communities. By prioritizing community engagement and input, data practices, and fair and comprehensive data and evaluation processes across all our programs, we strive to promote community-driven data and evaluation that empowers and builds trust in our communities.
May Rose Dela Cruz, DrPH, MPH
[she/her] May Rose joined HIPHI in October 2021 to lead the coordination of internal and external plans that increase awareness of public health research, invite collaboration, and promote local efforts to support structures and processes that improve health. She is an Assistant Researcher at UH Office of Public Health Studies and previously held a role as Co-Director at ʻImi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, Papa Ola Lōkahi. She received her BA in Psychology, MPH in Social & Behavioral Health Science, and DrPH in Community-Based & Translational Research from UH Mānoa. She enjoys baking cupcakes and cookies, and balances it out by growing her own veggies with her family.
Previous Research
Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO)
In partnership with the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine
Title: Factors underlying maternal health disparities among Filipinos in Hawai‘i
This research’s goal was to understand how Filipino women perceive the influence of individual and community factors on prenatal care utilization and maternal mobility using focus groups and key informant interviews. The principal investigator was Dr. Melissa Natavio, MD, MPH of the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. May Rose Dela Cruz assisted with conducting a focus group and key informant interviews with community members.