About Us
The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi strengthens kidney health across our island home by offering free educational programs, practical resources, and community support that empower individuals and families affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related conditions. Kidney disease affects our islands at disproportionately high rates—30% higher than the national average—and nearly one in two adults aged 30–64 is expected to develop CKD in their lifetime. These realities make our work vital to preventing, identifying, and managing kidney disease across our communities.
We work to address this urgent health challenge by expanding access to culturally grounded education, nutrition and dietary guidance, and community awareness initiatives that empower people to take charge of their kidney health. Our programs help individuals understand risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, family history, and age—while offering practical tools for healthier living, early detection, and long‑term disease management.
Across the United States, more than 1 in 7 adults may have CKD, and 90% are unaware they have it. Every day, over 360 people begin treatment for kidney failure, joining the 783,000 individuals who rely on dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. At the same time, 90,000 people wait for a lifesaving kidney, and 12 die each day still waiting. In Hawaiʻi, Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Filipinos, and Pacific Islanders face the highest risk, underscoring the need for targeted outreach and equitable access to care.
NKFH’s work spans comprehensive community screenings, public health campaigns, patient and caregiver support, and partnerships with healthcare providers statewide. Through these efforts, we help individuals make informed dietary choices, understand their lab results, navigate treatment options, and adopt lifestyle changes that can slow or prevent the progression of CKD.
Guided by the values of kuleana, and mālama, we strive to ensure that every person in Hawaiʻi has the knowledge, resources, and support needed to live a longer, healthier life. Together, we are building a future where kidney disease is prevented, detected early, and managed with compassion and equity across all of the communities in our island home.
