HISTORIC GRAND OPENING OF THE HOʻŌLA EARLY PHASE CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI CANCER CENTER
Hawaiʻi Patients Gain Local Access to Advanced Cancer Treatments and Cutting-Edge Clinical Trials
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center (UH Cancer Center), the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, proudly announces the grand opening of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center — a groundbreaking facility that marks a historic milestone in cancer care for the islands.
This state-of-the-art Clinical Trials Research Center, located at the UH Cancer Center in Kakaʻako, will enable Hawaiʻi residents to access innovative, early-phase (Phase I) clinical trials and advanced cancer treatments right here at home. For the first time, patients facing serious or advanced cancers will no longer need to travel to the mainland United States to participate in these potentially life-saving experimental therapies, many of which involve new drugs pending FDA approval.
In the past, families dealing with cancer were often forced to endure the emotional, financial, and logistical burdens of traveling thousands of miles for such options. The Hoʻōla Center eliminates these barriers, keeping patients close to their support networks of ʻohana, culture, and community while advancing research tailored to the unique ethnic, cultural, and environmental needs of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.
The facility features specialized infusion suites, a dedicated clinical blood lab, a pharmacy lab for precise trial drug preparation, and integrated spaces designed to support safe, high-quality early-phase research. Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, the State of Hawaiʻi, and collaborative partnerships—including the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium and recent collaborations with The Queen’s Health Systems—this center represents a major leap forward in reducing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for our diverse population.
Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD, Director of the UH Cancer Center, stated: “This is a transformative moment for cancer care in Hawaiʻi. The Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center brings hope directly to our communities by providing local access to tomorrow’s treatments today. We are committed to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through world-class research, compassionate care, and meaningful community impact.”
The grand opening celebration will include remarks from UH Cancer Center leadership, partners, and community representatives, along with tours of the new facility and opportunities to learn more about ongoing clinical trials.
