The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Cancer Center opened the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center on July 6 in Kakaʻako, establishing the first dedicated facility in Hawaiʻi for conducting early-phase cancer clinical trials. This new center allows qualifying patients to access Phase I and Phase II investigational therapies locally, removing the requirement to travel to mainland medical centers for these specific studies.
The 7,500-square-foot facility is designed to evaluate the safety, dosage, and potential effectiveness of new cancer treatments. According to the University of Hawaiʻi News, the project aims to support 30 active early-phase trials by 2031, providing a critical infrastructure for developing new oncology protocols within the islands.
Funding for the center totaled approximately $19.5 million from federal and state sources, supplemented by private donations including more than $1 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, UH reported.
Expanding Access to Phase I and Phase II Cancer Trials
Early-phase clinical trials are the first steps in testing new drugs or treatment methods in humans. Phase I trials primarily focus on safety and dosage, while Phase II trials look at the treatment’s effectiveness in a small group of patients. Patients treated through Hoʻōla EPCRC will be able to remain close to home and ʻohana to access these trials.
Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center, stated that the Hoʻōla center provides qualifying patients access to these investigational therapies locally. During the opening event, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono described these trials as critical because they are one of the ways that we develop new protocols and new treatments for cancer.
To maintain strict safety monitoring of these investigational therapies, UH officials noted that each Phase I or Phase II study will typically enroll no more than three participants from Hawaiʻi.
Facility Specifications and Clinical Capabilities
The center occupies the first and second floors of the UH Cancer Center. Construction began in October 2022 and was completed in December 2025. The layout is optimized for high-intensity monitoring and specialized pharmaceutical handling.
The 7,500-square-foot space includes the following specialized areas:
- Six infusion bays for administering treatments.
- Five dedicated patient rooms and two exam rooms.
- A certified pharmacy and a clinical research laboratory.
- Two nurses’ stations and a patient reception lobby.
The center is already operational. UH confirmed that a pilot Phase I clinical trial began in 2025 with one patient enrolled. This pilot is being used to verify that the facility can safely provide treatment and execute the complex operational requirements of clinical research.
Funding and Long-Term Strategic Goals
The establishment of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center represents a significant financial investment in the state’s healthcare infrastructure. The approximately $19.5 million in federal and state funding was used for the design and construction of the Kakaʻako facility. The addition of over $1 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust further supported the project’s completion.
The long-term objective is to scale the center’s capacity to manage a diverse portfolio of trials. By 2031, the UH Cancer Center intends to have 30 active early-phase trials running simultaneously. This growth is intended to make Hawaiʻi a more viable site for research sponsors and referring physicians seeking to enroll patients in cutting-edge oncology research.
The center’s opening was marked by a ceremony attended by over 200 leaders from federal, state, and healthcare sectors, featuring performances by Nā Wāhine Hula ʻĀkala, a hālau composed of cancer survivors.
The UH Cancer Center will continue to update its list of available trials as the center scales toward its 2031 goal. Patients and providers can monitor official university announcements for new study enrollments.
Do you have questions about accessing clinical trials in the Pacific? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below.