Hawai‘i Public Health Institute

HIPHI began in 1996, then known as the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi (CTFH). At that time, the Coalition spearheaded the campaign to make all workplaces, restaurants, and bars smoke-free, resulting in county and statewide smoke-free indoor air laws.

In 2012, the organization moved from a singular focus on tobacco issues to a broader public health mission to advance the health and wellness of people and islands of Hawaiʻi and launched the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute.

Since 2012, HIPHI has broadened its portfolio of advocacy initiatives, programs and services, and we have made steady progress toward realizing the full potential of our organization. In 2020 HIPHI pivoted to assist in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in numerous ways.

Moving forward, with continued effort and purpose, HIPHI has the opportunity to play a unique role in Hawaii’s public health ecosystem because of our broad focus, relationships with and role as convener of many different types of stakeholders, ability to implement policy/advocacy campaigns, and capacity to provide services.

HIPHI is always working to be a connector between community and partners from government and health care so that all relevant stakeholders throughout the state are involved in decisions related to public health policy, programs, and investments. We believe we can play a significant role in the shift of public health from being primarily about treating disease to the promotion of preventing it.