Hawai‘i Public Health Institute (HIPHI) is a statewide nonprofit advancing health and wellness across Hawai‘i through policy, systems, and environmental change. HIPHI works collaboratively across sectors to address social determinants of health, with a focus on prevention and community well-being, community preparedness and resilience, workforce development, and community-based research.
Our work is powered by community, and would not be possible without all of our partners. These include community-based organizations, national nonprofits, government agencies, health systems, and dedicated individuals. Collaboration is central to our mission, and across our many coalitions, collectives, and networks.
Our Perspectives on Community Health field trips are an opportunity to learn about unique and important organizations in Hawai‘i and their approach to community health. Through these visits, we create opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and broaden our understanding of health and what “creates” health.
Originally founded in 1996 as the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i, HIPHI expanded its mission in 2012 to address a wider range of public health issues. With this transition, HIPHI became the first and only public health institute serving Hawai‘i. Today, our work encompasses issues that fall under prevention and community well-being, community-based research, workforce development, policy and advocacy, and community preparedness and resilience. These include tobacco prevention and control, drug and alcohol-free coalitions, healthy eating and active living, immunizations, oral health, farm to school, food systems, environmental health and climate change, healthy aging, community health workers, internships and other early career opportunities, continuing education credits and trainings, and data/evaluation.
As our work has expanded, HIPHI continues to be a bridge between community voices and institutional partners in government, health, and education. We work to ensure that those most impacted by health policies and programs are not only heard, but also meaningfully involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives. By fostering collaboration across sectors and islands, HIPHI strengthens Hawai‘i’s capacity to respond to public health challenges with solutions that are locally grounded and community-informed.
At the core of our work is a belief that public health must go beyond preventing and treating disease—but also reimagining what it means for communities to be “healthy.” Our approach reflects the unique cultural, geographic, and social landscape of Hawai‘i, and we are committed to building a healthier future through investments that allow individuals and communities to thrive.
