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In a groundbreaking alliance, the University of Hawai‘ i Cancer Center and the John A. Burns School of Medicine( JABSOM) have launched Ka‘ Umeke Lama, a pioneering initiative to elevate cancer care across Hawai‘ i and the U. S. Affiliated Pacific Islands( USAPI). This transformative effort brings together partners from the Hawai‘ i Cancer Consortium— including Hawai‘ i Pacific Health, The Queen’ s Health Systems, HMSA, Kuakini Medical Center, and Adventist Health Castle— to collectively address cancer disparities through research, education, workforce development, and culturally informed practices.

Meeting Urgent Needs Across the Islands

~ Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD, FACP, Director, UH Cancer Center

Ka‘ Umeke Lama [“ Bowl of Enlightenment”] is a comprehensive response to critical challenges in our region:

• Disparities in cancer outcomes for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos

• Severe shortages of oncology professionals— especially on the neighbor islands and in rural / remote areas

• A rapidly aging population and increasing cancer burden

• A lack of culturally competent care and tailored research initiatives

Cancer Disparities Snapshot

• Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality rate for all cancers

• American Samoan men are 8 times more likely to develop liver cancer than non-Hispanic whites

• Native Hawaiian men are 2.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer

Our vision is a future where cancer care is accessible, equitable, and rooted in both scientific innovation and cultural understanding.