Hep Free Hawai'i (HFH) is a coalition of local, national, and global partners dedicated to increasing awareness of and access to viral hepatitis and harm reduction services throughout the state of Hawaii. Born out of a partnership between the Hawaii Department of Health, the CHOW Project (now the Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center), and other community agencies, Hep Free Hawai'i has been successful by connecting with communities across the islands to make Hawai'i truly “Hep Free.”
Mission
To empower Hawaii’s ohana to promote liver health and wellness
To raise awareness and increase access for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver disease, especially viral hepatitis and related harms
To erase stigma, social inequity, and health disparity surrounding communities affected by liver disease
Vision
To create a Hawaii free of hepatitis and other liver disease
To promote liver health by integrating culturally appropriate services within a comprehensive system of care
Core Values
Harm Reduction. We practice and support non-punitive and non-judgmental approaches to public health that meet people where they are and celebrate positive change, with the goal of minimizing the harms of actions that lead to adverse social and health outcomes.
Social Justice. We promote health equity and empower individuals with an uncompromising dedication to eliminating the stigmas and systemic injustices impacting the communities we serve and represent through education, advocacy and partnerships.
Intersectionality. We build sustainable relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners that are mutually beneficial, client-centered, and continually growing. We recognize that success in eliminating hepatitis means addressing other related health and social inequities.
Aloha. We carry a deep sense of love for our ohana, and we acknowledge the importance of Native Hawaiian values to our community. We strive to act in a respectful manner that is both culturally appropriate and carries the spirit of aloha.
Hep Free 2030 Strategy
In July 2020, we transitioned from our previous 2018-2020 Strategic Plan to Hep Free 2030: The Hawaii Hepatitis Elimination Strategy 2020-2030. Together with 120 active partners over 12 months of planning, we identified these five Priority Areas to eliminate viral hepatitis in Hawai`i by 2030:
Awareness and Education
Access to Services
Advocacy at All Levels
Equity in Everything
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Join our efforts to make #HepFree2030 a reality!
