Community First Hawaii

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Community First Hawaii

Community First is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2014. We believe healthcare is caring for health and not just treating disease.

As a community we have to help each other to do so. We are dedicated to realizing a community which believes healthcare is caring for health and not just treating disease. It is not enough to take personal responsibility for our well-being. In our community every resident should be supported in taking responsibility for their health and well-being by their medical providers, their employers, and their County. Only by fostering this personal responsibility in caring for health and well-being can our community achieve a sustainable medical system which can provide quality care for all of its people. We have adopted a two prong approach to transforming healthcare and personal accountability for health. The first is through healthcare transformation. The second, is addressing community through grass-roots initiatives and education. Visit communityfirsthawaii.org for more information.

01/03/2026

Is Hawaiʻi still the “Health State”? 🌺 This insightful article explores how Hawaiʻi became a national model for healthcare, where we stand today, and why there’s real hope ahead—from federal investment to renewed focus on access, workforce, and prevention.

➡️➡️➡️ Read more on Hawaiʻi’s healthcare past, present, and future.

12/21/2025

🎁 The greatest gift is community. 🌱 This year brought growth, learning, and deeper connection.
As we close out 2025, we’re reminded of the importance of caring for ourselves and one another—especially during the busy holiday season.

Here are a few gentle wellness reminders as we head into the new year:
• Take one deep breath before every major to-do.
• Give yourself permission to rest—your wellbeing matters.
• Make space for small moments of joy each day.
• Reach out if you need support; our community is here.

We are humbled to serve Hawaiʻi Island and look forward to all that 2026 will bring for our community.

Mahalo for walking with us through another year of collaboration, innovation, and service.
🎁 The greatest gift is community. 🌱 This year brought growth, learning, and a deeper connection.

12/14/2025

🚗 As we head into the holiday season, it’s important to remember that impaired driving puts everyone at risk—drivers, passengers, and our community.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and is a great reminder to please celebrate safely:
🚗 Plan a sober ride
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Designate a driver
🚕 Call a rideshare or taxi
🏠 Stay the night if needed

Let’s look out for one another and help keep our roads—and community—safe this holiday season.

12/08/2025

🌺 Welcome to the Team, Justianne Basque! 🌺

We’re excited to welcome Justianne (Justi) Basque, our new Administrative Coordinator, to the team!

Justi is a passionate community advocate who has dedicated her career to strengthening connections and supporting families across Hawai‘i Island. With many years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings valuable expertise in program coordination, family support, healthcare outreach, and helping community members access vital resources — all with a deep commitment to helping others thrive.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology and a Master of Science in Management from Walden University, and brings strong leadership, collaboration, and community engagement skills to her new role.

In her free time, Justi loves spending time with her family, cheering on her kids as a dedicated baseball Team Mom, and continuing her mission to make a lasting, positive impact in the community she calls home. ⚾💛

12/04/2025

OPINION: Why Epic and MyChart Are Transforming Care in East Hawai‘i 💙 In healthcare, progress often comes in waves – some small, some transformative.

This year, our East Hawai‘i Region, consisting of Hilo Benioﬀ Medical Center, Honoka‘a Hospital, Ka‘u Hospital, and the East Hawai‘i Health Clinics, is experiencing one of the most signiﬁcant technological transformations in our history: the implementation of the Epic electronic health records system.

➡️➡️➡️ Read more about how Epic and MyChart are building a more connected, more responsive, and more patient-centered healthcare system for East Hawai‘i.

11/27/2025

Aloha kākou, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, we pause with gratitude for our Hawaiʻi Island community — the kūpuna who guide us, the families who inspire us, the providers who care for us, and the partners who help us build a healthier future for all.

Mahalo for supporting our mission, sharing your manaʻo, and walking alongside us as we strive to improve access, equity, and wellbeing across our island home. We are grateful for you, today and every day.

From all of us at Community First Hawaiʻi, we wish you and your ʻohana a safe, joyful, and nourishing Thanksgiving. 🍂🧡

With gratitude,
Community First Hawaiʻi

11/20/2025

Today, 🌿National Rural Health Day🌿 we celebrate the strength, resilience, and compassion of our rural communities — and the dedicated healthcare professionals who serve them.

💚At Community First Hawaii, we’re proud to be community stars and support access to quality care and resources that help Hawai‘i Island families live healthier, happier lives.

11/14/2025

🍂 Grateful for Our Hawaii Island ʻOhana! 🍂

As we enter the season of giving thanks, we want to take a moment to honor our incredible healthcare workers and supporters across Hawai‘i. 🤝💛

Your dedication makes a difference every day — caring for neighbors, families, and kupuna, and helping keep our communities healthy and strong. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, more compassionate ʻohana.

This November, let’s continue to lift each other up and share a little aloha wherever we can.

Mahalo for being part of our Community First ʻohana! 🌺

11/04/2025

November is Diabetes Awareness Month — a time to learn, take action, and support each other in living healthier lives.

In Hawaiʻi, diabetes affects thousands of families, but prevention and management are possible through healthy eating, regular checkups, and community support.

Put your and Talk to your healthcare provider today.

Let’s work together to build a healthier Hawaiʻi — one step, one meal, and one choice at a time. 💪

10/28/2025

Navigating Our Healthcare Future Together 🛶 "On an island where health and community are deeply intertwined, more than 380 healthcare professionals, community partners, and leaders came together...a gathering rooted in aloha, collaboration, and hope for a healthier future."

➡️➡️➡️ Read more about the 2025 Hawaii Island Healthcare Conference - the two-day event, hosted by Community First Hawaiʻi, invited participants to reflect on how unity, compassion, and innovation can transform the way we care for one another.

10/21/2025

We’re stronger together 💪 The Community Action Network (CAN) connects local healthcare and social service professionals to share resources to better help our community.

We meet once a month on Zoom in a safe, welcoming space to share ideas, resources, and support.

Our network includes case managers, community health workers, care coordinators, paramedics, and service providers — all working together to build a healthier community.

Led by: Nic Los Banos (Alzheimer’s Association) & Karen Teshima (County of Hawai'i)

🌺 Together, we’re building a healthier Hawaiʻi 🌺

10/16/2025

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀
A simple step could save a life—don’t forget to schedule your screening and talk to your healthcare provider about getting checked. Early detection makes all the difference. 💗

Address

Hilo, HI

Telephone

+18087569637

Website

http://www.communityfirsthawaii.org/

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