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Testimony
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Testimony Presented Before the
Hawaii County Council
April 19, 2023, 9:00 am
By
Bonnie Irwin
Chancellor
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Resolution 82-23: AMENDS RESOLUTION 388-22 AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF
THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Chair Kimball, Vice Chair Inaba and Members of the Council:
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of Resolution 82-23, which will
increase funding to support the Kuleana Health project with the University of Hawaii.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) School of Nursing and Daniel K. Inouye
College of Pharmacy are stakeholders and contributors to the Community First mission
to deliver health services and support health literacy.
We share a common goal as UH Hilo is committed to improving the quality of life for our
community and the people of Hawaii island. Through partnership with local
government and the private sector, UH Hilo faculty and students can implement high-
impact practices for the betterment of the community and academic enrichment. Our
faculty have expertise in rural health care and public health, and we look forward to
continuing the collaboration through expansion of funding by the Council.
For example, a UH Hilo lecturer in the School of Nursing is a clinician instructor with
Community First for their Kuleana Health Literacy Project initiative. The "teach-back
method" training is being provided to consortium partners to ensure that they have
explained medical information clearly so that patients and their families understand what
is communicated to them. The same instruction is being provided to School of Nursing
students as well.
Continuing and expanding this work will provide a benefit to our community, in particular
vulnerable populations, by helping them become more knowledgeable and aware of
services and information to make the best health-related decisions for themselves.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony in support of this resolution.
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Ref. Date 2023