By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard  announced on Friday, June 26, that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center Program, is awarding $3,034,982 to Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi to provide healthcare and wellness services to Native Hawaiians.

The funds are part of a continuing grant. Two weeks ago, HHS issued similar awards to Ho‘ōla Lāhui Hawai‘i on Kaua‘i ($3,067,651), Hui No Ke Ola Pono on Maui ($3,331,410) and Nā Pu‘uwai on Molokaʻi ($2,561,902).

Gabbard, the Democratic Congresswoman of Hawaii’s 2nd District, has continually advocated in Congress for robust funding of Native Hawaiian health care programs and has made it a top priority during the annual appropriations process to ensure that Native Hawaiian Health Centers get the federal support they need to serve their communities across the state.

The Native Hawaiian Health Care Act was created by Congress in 1988 and most recently reauthorized in 2009. The program was created in recognition of the United States’ special political, trust relationship with the Native Hawaiian community to address the serious health needs exhibited by the Native Hawaiian population and better the health status of the community.

Native Hawaiian Health Centers improve the health status of Native Hawaiians by providing access to health education, health promotion and disease prevention services. Services provided include nutrition programs, screening and control of hypertension and diabetes, immunizations and basic primary care services.

(Eagle News Service)