HONOLULU, October 22, 2026 — Geography often stands between Hawaiʻi patients and timely cancer care. To help bridge this gap, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded a $2.5 million grant to the University of Hawaiʻi to advance Ka ʻUmeke Lama at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Launched in 2024 in partnership with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the statewide initiative expands oncology care, clinical research and specialist training across the islands. This grant is in addition to the $1.2M that Helmsley previously granted to support the launch of the Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center.
Director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, CEO of Queen’s Health Systems, Jason Chang, and Helmsley Trustee, Walter Panzirer at Ho‘ōla’s grand opening in July, 2026.
“This transformative support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust underscores UH Mānoa’s commitment as an R1 flagship institution to serving the health and well-being of our entire state,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassillis Symros. “Through Ka ‘Umeke Lama, we are advancing world-class research and clinical training that directly benefits our island communities.”
For residents on neighbor islands and in rural communities, a cancer diagnosis often means long-distance travel, fragmented care and limited access to clinical trials – factors that drive disparities in cancer outcomes, particularly among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. A recent study by the UH Cancer Center found that Hawai‘i residents spent at least $230 million on out-of-state cancer care from 2021-2023. Compounding the issue, Hawaiʻi has historically lacked an in-state, accredited Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship, forcing local doctors to leave the state for specialized training.
“This support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust allows us to address systemic barriers to care across Hawaiʻi,” said Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center. “By establishing our state’s first medical oncology fellowship and expanding patient navigation and precision medicine, we can retain local talent and bring specialized care directly to rural communities.”
Ka ‘Umeke Lama addresses these challenges by training oncology fellows locally while expanding the Cancer Care Access Program to coordinate referrals, navigation and trial participation statewide.
“Every cancer patient, regardless of what island they call home, deserves access to world-class, timely care,” said Walter Panzirer, a Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Helmsley is proud to partner with the UH Cancer Center to eliminate geographical barriers, expand healthcare capacity and ensure high-quality care reaches every corner of the state.”
Ka ʻUmeke Lama is also building precision oncology infrastructure to support genomic research focused on Hawaiʻi’s diverse populations and broadening multidisciplinary tumor registries to strengthen cancer research and inform cancer care statewide.
“Philanthropy can help create the infrastructure and opportunities needed to strengthen cancer care for generations to come,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and UH Foundation CEO. “This grant is an investment in Hawaiʻi’s physicians, patients and communities, and in building a stronger cancer care system across our state.”
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About the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. It is inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
The UH Cancer Center is one of only 74 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), representing a significant mark of excellence, and is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The center contributes more than $57 million to Hawai‘i’s economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities.
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.
About the University of Hawai‘i Foundation
The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. Our mission is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. Learn more at uhfoundation.org.
