Summer 2025 Update from Our CEO

The last few months have been turbulent. The proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026 calls for deep cuts to education, housing, humanitarian aid, medical research, and many safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid. On top of this, federal funding freezes, contract cancellations, mass federal layoffs, agency dismantling, immigration raids, and tariffs further contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability.

Internationally, escalating global conflicts are amplifying this instability—particularly in the Middle East, where ongoing violence and humanitarian crises have intensified. While the current administration has prioritized defense spending, humanitarian efforts have dwindled. The dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has disrupted critical aid and diminished the country’s capacity to lead in global development efforts. The combined effect of these national and international pressures has created unrest and unpredictability.

Due to these ongoing challenges, we made the difficult decision to cancel our annual Summer Social, normally held at the end of June. At a time when so many in our field are facing shrinking resources and growing need, we felt this was not the right moment to hold this event. Instead, we’re focusing on our core work and the many ways we can continue to support communities during this time. We will still be publishing our annual Legislative Recap, summarizing the 2025 legislative session and highlighting how federal actions have shaped health-related policy in Hawai‘i. If you’d like to download a copy of the 2025 Legislative Recap, it will be released on our website on July 1. 

Earlier this month, members of our team attended the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) Annual Conference in Minneapolis. It was a welcome opportunity to connect with colleagues across the country, have conversations on uplifting public health, and find innovative ways to continue this work. Some highlights were the sessions on climate change policy and AI’s role in public health. Two of our staff members presented, with Dr. May Rose Dela Cruz sharing a poster on our Pilina Workshops to Strengthen Workplace and Community Connections and Makamae Namahoe moderating a session on Future-Oriented Climate Action and Empowering Local Communities. On a personal note, I concluded my nine-year term on NNPHI’s Board of Directors. I’m very grateful for the opportunity, which allowed me to deepen relationships with other institute CEOs and shape HIPHI when it was an emerging institute. 

We also welcomed Spencer Headley to our team as the new Community Coordinator for the Maui Coalition for a Drug-Free Youth. And after many years of dedicated service, Scott Stensrud retired from his role as Youth Coordinator for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council. Mahalo Scott for mentoring our youth for over seven years! 

As we move into the second half of the year, we remain grounded in our mission while continuing to adapt to a shifting landscape. We’re approaching our busy events season, so check out our community calendar for upcoming events you may be interested in. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to public health in Hawai‘i.

With Aloha,

Jessica Yamauchi, MA, EMBA
Chief Executive Officer