More than 5,000 Hawai‘i residents have been diagnosed with HIV, with Hawai‘i County facing the highest rates.1 People who are LGBTQ+, have substance use disorder, are involved with the justice system, or are experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted by HIV.2,3,4 On Hawai‘i Island, the intersection of homelessness, behavioral health conditions, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C create a significant public health challenge.
To address this challenge in partnership with the community, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai‘i invested $75,000 with Kumukahi Health + Wellness to increase health education in the community. This longstanding collaboration has helped combat health disparities and address barriers to care for people on Hawai‘i Island. Kumukahi integrates medical care with cultural awareness, harm-reduction practices and peer support, creating trusted pathways to prevention and wellness.
Identifying and addressing local needs
Communities served by Kumukahi face intersecting barriers, like behavioral health conditions, homelessness, or social stigma that make staying connected to care especially challenging. Last year, the organization surveyed clients to evaluate the most pressing needs in the community, identifying a greater need for culturally grounded programs, support for people who have been diagnosed with HIV, and challenges accessing affordable housing. With UnitedHealthcare’s support, Kumukahi has expanded outreach, education, and clinical services, with a specific focus on people who have been diagnosed with HIV or Hepatitis C.
In the first half of 2025, Kumukahi participated in more than 95 community outreach events and connected with more than 5,600 residents across the island. They also hosted events like the Celebrate Micronesia Health Fair and Big Island AIDS Walk, which was attended by more than 1,500 residents. These events promoted education and greater access to social supports and preventive care.
The organization is delivering new culturally tailored health education content and hosting workshops to empower patients to manage their health. A new youth engagement initiative is supporting inclusion, health education, and coping skills among people who identify as LGTBQ+.
Building capacity and advancing inclusivity
The collaboration is also helping more people access the care they need. Since January, Kumukahi has:
- Enrolled 29 new patients at the AIAOLA Sexual Health Clinic
- Helped 82 patients enroll in Med-QUEST
- Delivered patient case management for 301 clients
- Provided PrEP, a medication regimen that helps prevent HIV infection, to 49 people
- Achieved HIV viral load suppression for 70 people who are living with HIV
- Completed 843 STI tests
In addition to delivering health services, this initiative is building long-term infrastructure to sustain health equity across Hawai‘i Island. Investments in real-time data dashboards and updated electronic health record systems are helping track progress and strengthen transparency.
Through ongoing collaboration, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai‘i and Kumukahi Health + Wellness are helping to reduce risk and close gaps in care.
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