2025 Hawaii State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Details coming soon.

Hawaii is struggling with a cross-industry labor shortage. The health sector tops the list for unfilled vacancies. Join this panel of workforce experts as they discuss how to recruit and retain the needed healthcare staff. Learn about current initiatives to build up the workforce pipeline and hear about creative ideas for expanding the workforce beyond traditional providers.

As the state’s aging population continues to grow, Hawaii must consider how to improve and expand its healthcare system for seniors. Join this panel of experts as they discuss what needs to be done to strengthen the state’s palliative care program. Hear panelists’ perspectives on how to improve access to and understanding of palliative and hospice care.  

Join this panel as experts discuss the health challenges and barriers to care facing native Hawaiians. Hear about efforts to integrate traditional Hawaiian practices into the health care system. Speakers will discuss how different groups are expanding their care to include culturally based approaches and how the broader health sector can improve access to care for these populations. 

This panel will discuss efforts to decrease mortality rates and improve health services for Hawaiian mothers and children. Most of Hawaii is considered rural, and as with most rural areas, maternal and infant care outcomes are particularly challenging. Join this group of diverse stakeholders as they share their ongoing planning efforts, evaluate how data is being used to address the problem and highlight tools the state can use to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. 

The impact of new technologies and the growing role of artificial intelligence is a key interest for Hawaii health policy stakeholders. These leaders will discuss the benefits and risks of AI and other new technologies. Hear from experts on how to ensure AI’s safe use, and how AI can play a role in improving health data interconnectivity in the state. 

Stakeholders agree that Hawaii’s behavioral health system remains in need of reform. These experts will talk through different challenges facing behavioral health reform in the state including bolstering the behavioral health workforce, increasing access to services, and implementing peer support specialists. Department of Health recently convened a task force to address behavioral health support. Join this panel as they discuss the topics likely to be considered by the task force including expanding peer support services, access to care and growing and retaining the workforce.  

Addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs) that impact Hawaiians’ health has long been a priority for the state. Join this panel to hear from leaders about the state’s work to address things like transportation, housing and food insecurity. Speakers will discuss future efforts that would ensure Hawaiians’ healthcare isn’t limited by HRSNs. 

Across the country, post-COVID, the acute health care operating environment has become increasingly challenging marked by labor and supply shortages, changing patient expectations, and an evolving reimbursement system from fee to service to quality.  Join these leaders as they discuss what’s changed in Hawaii acute care operational landscape and the strategic response to these changes.

Strengthening Hawaii’s public health infrastructure remains a critical priority for the state’s health sector. In this session, experts will talk through recent work to rebuild the public health system following COVID-19, as well as how the state can continue building its preparedness for challenges like monkeypox and other future public health threats. 

Maui and the broader Hawaii community have been working to help Lahaina recover from the wildfires that devastated the region in the summer of 2024. This unique panel will bring together leaders involved in recovery efforts for a discussion about the work that’s been done so far, as well as how the state’s health sector can play its part in mitigating the impacts of potential future environmental health threats. 

Details coming soon.