Hawai‘i Health Partnership: HMSA & HPH to Strengthen Care Access & Affordability

Partnership Aims to Reshape Hawai’i Healthcare Landscape

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – Hawai‘i Pacific Health (HPH) and Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) are proposing a partnership to establish One Health Hawai‘i, a new nonprofit organization intended to address affordability and access challenges within the state’s healthcare system.

The collaboration, announced initially on January 9, 2026, seeks to align strategy, strengthen collaboration, and improve coordination across Hawaiʻi’s health care system, according to a press release. Leaders of both organizations cite rising healthcare costs as a significant concern for families in Hawai‘i, exacerbated by the state’s geographic isolation and high cost of living.

“We are aiming to make health care more affordable and reinvest that savings back into the health and well-being of our communities,” said Ray Vara, president & CEO of Hawai‘i Pacific Health. The partnership intends to improve care delivery, enhance the patient experience, expand access, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

One Health Hawai‘i is designed to operate as an open system, preserving patient choice. According to Vara, individuals will still be able to choose their doctor, insurance, and facility. “An individual’s choice will still drive this new care model,” he stated. “We know how important that is.”

The proposed partnership aims to achieve several key improvements, including streamlining documentation, scheduling, and authorization processes to increase access to care. It also seeks to reduce duplication and eliminate inefficiencies to stabilize rising healthcare costs. Savings generated will be reinvested into the health care ecosystem and community well-being, supporting areas such as education, housing stability, food security, financial literacy, and workforce development.

Specifically, One Health Hawai‘i intends to focus on improving patient experience through more coordinated care and better outcomes. It also aims to enhance the quality of care without increasing administrative burdens on providers.

The boards of both HPH and HMSA have approved advancing the proposal to state and federal agencies for review, formally initiating the public review process. Dr. Mark Mugiishi, CEO of HMSA, and Vara both expressed the need for structural change to address the challenges facing Hawai‘i’s healthcare system.

Lawmakers began examining the proposed partnership on January 13, 2026, with supporters arguing it could slow rising healthcare costs. HMSA and HPH leaders reiterated their commitment to creating value and improving healthcare during discussions at the capitol.

More information about the partnership is available at HealthierHawaiiTogether.com.