Partnering for a Healthier Hawaii
At Hawaii Pacific Health, we believe health starts where we live, learn, work and play. Often, this requires addressing needs beyond our traditional hospital walls. We are committed to partnering with others in our community to create a healthier Hawaii by investing in health where it starts – in our homes, schools and jobs.
HPH Place-Based Investments
HPH place-based investments focus on the social and economic conditions that shape health outcomes – like housing, food access and financial stability.
Since 2023, HPH has invested $7.5 million into local community impact loan funds that create healthier communities by providing flexible, low-cost loan capital for affordable housing, sustainable food systems and household economic empowerment.
Our Loan Fund Partners
- Hawai'i Community Lending
- Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation
- Feed the Hunger Fund
- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
- Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association
- Hawaii Investment Ready ʻĀina Aloha Economy Fund
Our Community Health Priorities
Together, the community investments made by our loan fund partners have had a significant impact on increasing affordable housing, creating a more sustainable food system and improving economic empowerment for asset-limited households.
By investing in these areas, we aim to strengthen families and develop resilient children.
Our Collective Impact (2023-2024)
Affordable Housing
Hawaii faces a significant shortage of affordable housing. However, reports show that when a person has adequate and stable housing, they also have better physical and mental health, access to health care and opportunities for social and economic advancement.
HPH invests in increasing access to affordable housing by providing financing for:
- Nonprofit developers of affordable housing.
- Low-cost mortgages for low-income homebuyers.
- Home construction for Native Hawaiians eligible to build on Hawaiian Homelands.
2023-2024 Impact
- 903 affordable housing units were financed statewide.
- Construction loans made for 20 single-family homes on Hawaiian Homelands.
Sustainable Food Systems
Strengthening Hawaii’s food systems can improve food access for all residents. Providing our community healthier food choices that are locally produced addresses food insecurity and nutritional needs in ways that are culturally appropriate and sustainable.
HPH invests in a more sustainable food system by supporting:
- Access to capital, technical assistance and markets for small farmers and food businesses. This assistance enables them to increase their revenues, build their assets and grow their businesses for the future.
- Local food sourcing for HPH’s food services, which complements our food system investments by providing market access for – and directing HPH’s purchasing dollars to – small, local farmers and food businesses.
2023-2024 Impact
- 354 small farmers and food businesses received free business consulting services, and 74 obtained affordable loan capital.
- HPH collaborated with Kamehameha Schools on local food sourcing. Collectively, the two systems’ local food purchases had an economic impact of $12,693,836.
Economic Empowerment
Access to capital is essential for households to improve their economic security and well-being. It empowers them to build assets, manage unexpected expenses and invest in their futures.
HPH supports the economic empowerment of asset-limited households by investing in:
- Financial, housing and employment counseling.
- Resources for credit repair, debt reduction and housing retention.
- Access to capital to achieve homeownership.
2023-2024 Impact
- Nearly 2,000 households received assistance with financial literacy and housing counseling.
- More than 700 asset-limited households accessed affordable capital to build, buy or retain their own homes, decrease debt and increase assets.