On Friday, August 13, 2021, Congressman Ed Case and Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele announced that $20 million has been released to Native Hawaiian health care entities to aid their response to COVID-19. The funding is being distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The funds provide six Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (NHHCIA) award recipients resources to strengthen vaccination efforts, respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and enhance health care services and infrastructure in their communities.

The recipients include:

Papa Ola Lokahi  – $4,750,000

Ho’ola Lahui Hawaiʻi –  $3,000,000

Ke Ola Mamo  – $3,000,000

Na Pu’uwai –  $2,500,000

Hui No Ke Ola Pono –  $3,500,000

Hui Malama Ola Ha’Oiwi –  $3,250,000

In a press release Congressmen Case said, “This announcement comes at a time when COVID-19 cases have risen dramatically throughout the islands, and hospital capacity to deal with those sickened by the virus stretched to the limit.  I am grateful that this assistance will help to prevent those vaccinated from severe illness or death.”

In 2020, NHHCIA award recipients provided services to more than 7,000 patients in Native Hawaiian communities. This funding will assist Native Hawaiian communities that experience barriers to accessing health care services, including geographic isolation, that significantly impact overall health.