University of Hawaii Cancer Center

02/11/2026

Drop a 🩷 below in appreciation for our Nā Wāhine Hula ‘Ākala! 😍

The latest issue of HMSA’s Island Scene magazine profiles Nā Wāhine Hula ‘Ākala — a hula group that was formed after two UH Cancer Center studies that examined how hula could provide health benefits for survivors of breast and gynecological cancers. While the studies were successfully concluded years ago, the participants built relationships and bonds that continue to bring them together today, to commune, practice, and perform on behalf of the UH Cancer Center. Mahalo to hālau leader TeMoana Makolo and the ladies of Nā Wāhine Hula ‘Ākala for always representing our center with wisdom and grace.

Click below to view the article (it begins on page 28):https://islandscene.com/Media/Default/IslandSceneMagazine/Island%20Scene%20Winter%202026.pdf

02/11/2026

The very first people treated to a "sneak peek" of our new Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center were our hardworking UH Cancer Center faculty and staff ‘ohana!
The upcoming launch of the Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center represents a major development in both
cancer research and patient care in Hawai‘i: Patients will, for the first time in state history, have the opportunity to access innovative early-phase clinical trial treatments for cancer right here in Hawai‘i. Details on its launch coming soon!

02/11/2026

We are grateful for Gov. Josh Green's continued support of our UH Cancer Center!

02/11/2026

Did you see this humorous Super Bowl ad promoting prostate-cancer screening? While a blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is not a 100% accurate test for prostate cancer, it can be a useful screening tool, best for men 55–69, or earlier if you’re at higher risk. Today’s approach focuses on smarter follow-up, fewer biopsies, and avoiding unnecessary treatment. About 1 in 8 men get prostate cancer, so make sure to talk with your doctor.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUGjgWXkVrU/

02/10/2026

A Joint Town Hall on Feb. 6 brought together employees of the UH Cancer Center and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. UH is launching an exploratory effort to strengthen coordination between the two units located on the same property in Kakaʻako. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in health sciences research, education and community service, and support Hawaiʻi’s growing health workforce needs. The forum was led by UH President Wendy Hensel, UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker and UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno, and employees attending in person and online were encouraged to ask questions and join the conversation.

02/10/2026

Holly Fontenot, a faculty member of our University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, is leading UH Mānoa's role in a new $3.5 million multi-state project to improve cervical cancer screening and follow-up at primary care clinics in Hawaiʻi, Florida and Massachusetts. Fontenot is associate dean for research and professor at the UH School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene. The university's portion of the project is supported by a major five–year, R01 award from the National Institutes of Health.

The project, Development of Systems and Education for Cervical Cancer Prevention (DOSE–CC), will adapt, validate and test interventions designed to boost cervical cancer prevention and follow-up care across diverse populations.




https://www.uhcancercenter.org/about-us/newsroom/1187-uh-manoa-joins-3-5m-multi-state-cervical-cancer-screening-study

02/04/2026

We love this video for , and how it honors the uniqueness and value of each person's cancer journey. We send aloha to every person on a cancer journey, and every person contributing to the fight to end cancer. 💙

Every Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day, an international observance to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilize action to address the global cancer epidemic.

Our UH Cancer Center is a proud member of the Union for International Cancer Control, which leads World Cancer Day. Our UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, who is a two-time cancer survivor, is also a co-founder and board member of CancerX, which is also a UICC member.

Our new campaign video celebrating the strength, stories, and lives of people living with cancer.When we listen to the lived experiences of people affected b...

01/22/2026

Did you know that our UH Cancer Center has a Nutrition Support Shared Resource team working passionately in food and nutrition to support research as well as our community?

Check out this video from their recent open house. "Our kuleana, our responsibility, is to support the integration of nutrition into research, instruction, outreach, specifically here at the UH Cancer Center, but also at the greater UH community and the greater community," says Kainoa Marie Kainoa Fialkowski Revilla, Director of the Nutrition Support Shared Resource of the
University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center.

Learn more at
https://www.uhcancercenter.org/research/shared-resources/nutrition-support-services

01/22/2026

Our annual Weinman Symposium — featuring some of the world's top cancer researchers — is where many cancer discoveries and cures begin. Dr. Michele Carbone, Director of Thoracic Oncology at the UH Cancer Center, explains how this unique gathering builds global collaboration and cooperation in teh fight against cancer. He also explains what cancer patients also can gain from attending. This year's Weinman Symposium runs Jan. 21-23 at our Sullivan Conference Center in Kaka‘ako, the public is invited, and admission is free.

More info:
WeimanSymposium.com
UHCancerCenter.org

01/20/2026

Planning to attend our 17th Annual Weinman Symposium, this Wednesday-Friday? Here's the detailed timeline of topics and speakers. Admission is free, the public is invited, and college and high school students are especially encouraged to attend and ask questions of the faculty. Some of the world's top experts in cancer will speak on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in cancer. Please join us! WeinmanSymposium.com

https://uhcancercenter.org/about-us/newsroom/1174-public-invited-to-learn-from-top-cancer-experts-at-weinman-symposium-jan-21-23-at-uh-cancer-center

01/20/2026

More than 100 people gathered for our "Caring for Caregivers" free interactive workshop on Saturday. Mahalo to our awesome speakers and everyone who attended, and to KITV4 for the coverage! Recap coming soon on UHCancerCenter.org. Please also mark your calendar for our next Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community event on April 18, focused on "How Clinical Trials Save Lives."



https://youtu.be/ryTfZrZQ3tA?si=b8RbRgDUIEWDznRn

Over 100 attendees found solace and resources at the “Caring for Caregivers” workshop, emphasizing the importance of self-care and community connection in th...

01/15/2026

We were proud to share the news on HI Now Hawaii News Now about our new Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center opening this March. Ho‘ōla will be a game changer for cancer care in the Islands: For the first time in Hawai‘i history, qualifying local patients will have the opportunity to access Phase I clinical trial treatments for cancer right here in Honolulu, instead of having to fly to the U.S. continent.

"HI Now Daily" host Lauren Teruya interviewed our Lynne Wilkens, who is Director, Biostatistics Shared Resource, and Associate Director, Shared Resources, at our University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center; and a former president of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Mahalo to UHPA: University of Hawaii Professional Assembly for inviting our center to be a part of their interview series on awesome faculty doing awesome work for our community!

Story and video: https://www.hinowdaily.com/2026/01/15/uh-cancer-preparing-launch-early-phase-clinical-trials/

The video can also be viewed anytime on the Hawaii News Now app; click on the HI Now Daily tile.