Report calls for better data about and for Native Hawaiians

Native Hawaiians face disproportionate impacts in numerous areas, including health and economics, according to the joint report by Papa Ola Lokahi, a Native Hawaiian health advocacy organization, and the Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center.

But data about the community is often obscure and lacks Native Hawaiian input, whether during the collection process or in determining how the data is used, the authors say.

“Without comprehensive, detailed data, our state agencies cannot truly evaluate and improve the services for the populations they serve,” Lilinoe Kauahikaua, one of the authors of the study, said Friday during a webinar.

The researchers reached out to state agencies, who they say expressed an understanding of the need for more detailed and accurate data while acknowledging the limitations in resources, she said. For these agencies’ data systems to improve, there needs to be legislative action.

The report adds to calls for the state to improve its data collection about Native Hawaiians.