Queen's Medical Center, Kuakini, and HPH Outline 2026 Health Initiatives

Hawai'i's major health systems have introduced new treatments, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce programs in their 2026 operational reports.

The Queen's Medical Center was the first hospital in the state to offer daraxonrasib, a drug for pancreatic cancer. The FDA recently approved the medication, which treats cancers driven by KRAS gene mutations. The drug was developed in 2022 after researchers identified a way to target the gene, which had resisted treatment efforts since the 1980s. Queen's applied to participate in the study shortly after the drug was presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. The treatment can double patient survival time and offers fewer side effects than chemotherapy.

Kuakini Health System, founded in 1900 by Japanese immigrants, received a $10.2 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The funds will purchase new PET/CT and MRI systems for Kuakini Medical Center. Gregg Oishi, the system's president and CEO, stated that the equipment will provide clearer diagnostic information for cancer and cardiac conditions. The system also marked the 60th anniversary of the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program, which has tracked Japanese American men since 1965. The study's data has contributed to research on heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.

Hawai'i Pacific Health is investing in the medical workforce through the Kaua'i Medical Training Track. This partnership with the John A. Burns School of Medicine at UH Mānoa covers four years of tuition, housing, and transportation for selected first-year students. Participants spend 15 months living on Kaua'i and training at local clinics. The first cohort graduated in the summer of 2026, and more than 20 students are currently enrolled. Graduates commit to practicing on the island for at least four years after residency.

Hawai'i Pacific Health has also committed $8.5 million to community initiatives aimed at housing stability, food security, and education. This includes $2 million in loans and technical assistance for small farmers and local food businesses. Michael Robinson, the system's vice president of government relations, said these investments support the social determinants of health beyond clinical care.

Kuakini Health System plans to renovate its surgical suites and expand services in women's health, orthopedics, and brain health. The system aims to support its independent physician model by providing infrastructure and maintaining local governance. Hawai'i Pacific Health will continue to mentor medical students through the Kaua'i program and support community partners in rural areas.