Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH) is the only organization in Hawaii to earn the prestigious Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for 2026. The award recognizes a small number of organizations with a strong and consistent commitment to employee engagement.
This is the ninth time HPH has earned this distinction, which was previously known as the Gallup Great Workplace Award. This year, only 10 health systems worldwide were recognized as exceptional workplaces, each achieving average employee engagement rates of 70%. These organizations have engagement levels that are eight times higher than the average engagement rate in the U.S.
“This honor reflects the dedication of our employees,” said Ray Vara, Hawaii Pacific Health president & CEO. “Across our medical centers, clinics and offices, their professionalism, compassion and teamwork are what make Hawaii Pacific Health a place where people can do meaningful work in service to our communities.”
HPH has more than 7,500 employees across its four medical centers – Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Benioff Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center – as well as its clinics throughout Hawaii.
The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award is based on employee engagement surveys conducted by Gallup. Its research shows that highly engaged teams deliver better outcomes, including stronger service, higher productivity, improved retention and greater safety. In health care, those outcomes directly support better patient care and healthier communities.
Photo (top): Representatives from across Hawaii Pacific Health with the 2026 Gallup Great Workplace Award. From left: Taylor Shimada, RN, nurse team lead, Straub Benioff Medical Center – Ward Village Clinic & Urgent Care; Andrew Lum, CT technologist, Pali Momi Medical Center; Dale Yasumoto, occupational therapist, Straub Benioff Medical Center; Mary Matte, lead ECHO technologist, Wilcox Medical Center; Keala Aki, manager of organizational effectiveness, Hawaii Pacific Health; Max Ariola, environmental services, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children