University of Hawai’i Cancer Center Opens Hawaiʻi’s First Early-Phase Cancer Clinical Research Center

Patients treated through Hoʻōla EPCRC will be able to remain close to home and ʻohana while contributing to the development of future cancer treatments. | Photo Credit University of Hawai’i Cancer Center

• The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center opened the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center on July 6 in Kakaʻako. 
• UH says the center is the first dedicated facility in Hawaiʻi designed to conduct early-phase clinical trials for cancer. 
• The 7,500-square-foot center includes infusion bays, patient rooms, exam rooms, a pharmacy and clinical research space. 
• A pilot Phase I trial is already underway, and the center aims to support 30 active early-phase trials by 2031. 

HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Cancer Center has opened the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center, a new Kakaʻako facility intended to expand local access to early-phase cancer clinical trials. 

In a statement, UH said the center, which opened July 6, is the first dedicated early-phase clinical research center for cancer in Hawaiʻi. The project is designed to allow qualifying patients to participate in Phase I and Phase II studies without leaving the islands. 

The center opened during a private ceremony attended by more than 200 federal, state, university, healthcare and community leaders. The event included hula by Nā Wāhine Hula ʻĀkala, a hālau of cancer survivors, remarks from dignitaries, a maile-lei untying and a clinic tour. 

“The opening of the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center marks a major milestone for cancer care in Hawaiʻi,” according to an article from University of Hawaiʻi News. UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno said the center will give qualifying patients access to investigational therapies in Hawaiʻi rather than requiring travel to mainland medical centers. 

UH said early-phase clinical trials, also known as Phase I and Phase II trials, are used to evaluate new cancer therapies for safety, dosage and potential effectiveness. Patients treated through Hoʻōla EPCRC will be able to remain close to home and ʻohana while contributing to the development of future cancer treatments. 

“These early-phase clinical trials through the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center are critical, because this is one of the ways that we develop new protocols and new treatments for cancer,” said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono during the opening event. 

The center includes dedicated patient treatment areas, clinical research space, a certified pharmacy and staff who will work with investigators, referring physicians and research sponsors. UH said a pilot Phase I clinical trial that began in 2025 has one patient enrolled and is being used to confirm that the center can safely provide treatment and conduct required clinical research operations. 

The facility spans 7,500 square feet on the first and second floors of the UH Cancer Center. Its features include six infusion bays, five patient rooms, two nurses’ stations, a pharmacy, two exam rooms, a clinical research laboratory, a patient lobby and reception area. 

Construction began in October 2022 and was completed in December 2025. UH said approximately $19.5 million in federal and state funding supported design and construction, with additional support from donors and organizations, including more than $1 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. 

The center’s goal is to have 30 active early-phase clinical trials by 2031. UH said each Phase I or Phase II study will typically enroll no more than three participants from Hawaiʻi to ensure investigational therapies are closely monitored. 

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