Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 5, 1 May 2000 — Cancer grant [ARTICLE]

Cancer grant

Papa Ola Lōkahi received a $2.5 mhlion, five-year research grant from the National Cancer Institute. Papa Ola Lōkahi, the statewide Native Hawahan health consortium, was the only non-uni-versity, non-research institution among the 18 nahonal recipients. The funded project, "'lmi Hale - the Native Hawaiian Cancer Research and Training Network," intends to reduce cancer incidence and mortality among Native Hawaiians through the establishment of a support system to promote eancer awareness in the Hawaiian eommunity. The project will eommenee May 1. "Papa Ola Lōkahi's project is innovative bēcause of its pairing of Hawaiian traditions and culture with first-class scienee to guide research, training and eontrol activities," said Senator Daniel K. Akaka in his April 6 announcement of the grant. "The coUaboration between community, state and national partners to provide support systems and expertise is an important feature of the proposal. This comprehensive network will benefit Native Hawaiians who have the highest cancer mortality rate in Hawai'i." Native Hawaiian oncologist Clayton Chong, MD, will serve as principal investigator. UH professors Noreen Mokuau, DSW, and Kathryn Braun, DrPH, wiU share the position of 'Imi Hale research director.