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Clinical trials entered a new chapter on July 6, when the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center launched the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center, the state’s first facility dedicated to early-phase cancer research. More than 200 community leaders, partners and elected officials attended the grand opening ceremony in Kakaʻako, marking what UH Cancer Center Director Naoto Ueno called a major milestone for cancer care in the islands.
Why Hawaii Clinical Trials Matter Locally
For the first time in state history, qualifying cancer patients will have the opportunity to access promising investigational therapies without traveling thousands of miles to mainland medical centers. Ueno, a researcher, clinical trial leader and two-time cancer survivor, emphasized that keeping patients close to their families and communities is an important part of the care journey these trials now support.
Contributing to Tomorrow’s Standard Treatments
Ueno noted that patients participating in these trials will also be making invaluable contributions to medical science, since early-phase clinical trials are how tomorrow’s standard cancer treatments are developed. He described the new center as a source of hope for cancer patients across Hawaii and the wider Pacific region.
The Cost Burden Behind Hawaii Clinical Trials
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death, with nearly 76,000 residents currently living with the disease. A recent UH Cancer Center study found that residents spent at least $230 million on out-of-state cancer care between 2021 and 2023, underscoring the financial need behind expanding clinical trials and advanced cancer care options within the islands.
What Early-Phase Trials Involve
Early-phase clinical trials, also known as Phase I and II trials, test new cancer treatments to evaluate safety, dosing and potential effectiveness. These trials follow strict safety protocols, with patients closely monitored by specially trained clinical research teams throughout the process.
Partnerships Driving Hawaii Clinical Trials Forward
UH President Wendy Hensel described the new facility as a powerful reminder of what can happen when government, health care, industry and the university work together to impact the community. That collaborative model underpins how trials are being built from the ground up at this new center.
Facility Details and Capacity
The Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center includes dedicated patient treatment areas, specialized clinical research space, a certified pharmacy and a team trained to conduct complex early-phase studies. A pilot Phase I clinical trial is already underway, with one patient enrolled, demonstrating the center’s readiness to support a growing portfolio of Hawaii clinical trials. The goal is to reach 30 active early-phase clinical trials at the center by 2031.
Funding Behind the Expansion of Hawaii Clinical Trials
The 7,500-square-foot center was supported by $19.5 million in funding, including more than $1 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. It is operated by University Health Partners in collaboration with members of the Cancer Consortium and statewide health care partners, forming the infrastructure behind this new chapter of trials.
Building Research Informed by Hawaii’s Population
Ueno emphasized that the goal is not only to provide access to promising therapies, but to ensure discoveries and treatments are informed by the rich variety of Hawaii’s unique population, so that future cancer treatments work better for everyone in Hawaii, the Pacific and worldwide.
What’s Next for Hawaii Clinical Trials
With a pilot trial already underway and a target of 30 active trials by 2031, trials are positioned to grow steadily over the next several years. As the specialized clinical research infrastructure matures, the UH Cancer Center aims to strengthen the state’s broader role in developing tomorrow’s cancer therapies while keeping patients closer to home.
