H3RC's Medical Director Dr. Wang provides wound care during CHOW Party with the support of a medical student, offering hands-on care while helping train the next generation of healthcare providers. More than 60 community members joined H3RC and over 12 partner organizations and healthcare providers for our latest CHOW Party, a quarterly outreach event that connects people experiencing homelessness and those who use substances with essential health and support services in a we

One of the most moving moments of this year's Honolulu AIDS Walk was the presentation of the 2026 Paul Groesbeck Spirit of the Walk Award to Patricia "Pat" Paʻakaula, who was honored posthumously for more than 30 years of compassionate service to Hawaiʻi's HIV community. Pat's journey began in 1985 after her son, Kaipo, was diagnosed with HIV. At a time when fear and stigma surrounded the epidemic, she chose compassion. What started as a mother's love grew into more than thre

More than 1,000 walkers, volunteers, sponsors, advocates, and community partners gathered at Kapiʻolani Park on June 27 for the 35th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk, raising more than $130,000 to support HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support services throughout Hawaiʻi. While the Walk has become one of Hawaiʻi's most cherished community traditions, this year's event carried special significance. With HIV organizations across the country facing unprecedented reductions in

H3RC Executive Director Heather Lusk with Mayor Derek Kawakami during H3RC's Kauaʻi Open House celebration. It was a weekend of celebration, connection, and community as H3RC officially opened its new Kauaʻi office and joined hundreds of residents for Kauaʻi Pride. The festivities began on Friday as nearly 100 community members, partners, elected officials, and supporters gathered for an Open House at H3RC's new Līhuʻe office. The event marked an important milestone in H3RC's

Pictured from left: David Lammay, Melanie Moore, H3RC Executive Director Heather Lusk, Avery Aetonu, and Bianca Isaki. Strong organizations are built by strong communities, and strong communities are built by people willing to step forward and lead. As H3RC continues to expand services, respond to emerging public health challenges, and advocate for some of Hawaiʻi's most vulnerable communities, we are proud to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors: David Lammay,

The 35th Walk for Life: The Honolulu AIDS Walk returns this year with a powerful message: “Silence Is Not an Option.” For 35 years, the Walk has brought our community together to honor those we’ve lost, support those living with HIV, and take action toward a future free from stigma. This year, as HIV funding and public health resources face growing uncertainty, the call to show up has never been more urgent. Saturday, June 27, 2026 8:00 AM Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand Now is the

On May 1, H3RC will begin the soft launch of our Kauaʻi office, expanding access to essential health services for the island’s communities. This initial phase allows us to begin providing care while continuing to build relationships and strengthen our presence on Kauaʻi. Following the closure of Malama Pono Health Services earlier this year, H3RC has stepped in to help ensure continuity of care for the island. Our team will provide HIV case management and support, sexual heal

On March 31, H3RC joined community members, partners, and advocates at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility. Through a sign-waving action, our community came together to uplift the strength, resilience, and presence of māhū, transgender, and gender-diverse people across Hawaiʻi. The gathering created a visible and powerful moment of solidarity. Participants held signs, shared space, and showed up in support of a community that continues to face

On March 29, the stage came alive as the Diva of Polynesia Pageant made its long-awaited return, the first Diva since 2010. The evening celebrated māhū, transgender, and gender-diverse excellence across the Pacific. Held at Artistry Honolulu, the event brought together community members, supporters, and performers for a powerful night of culture, creativity, and pride. Contestants lit up the stage with unforgettable performances, showcasing artistry, storytelling, and deep cu

On February 17, H3RC joined community leaders and advocates at the second annual Queer Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission. The day featured panels and community exhibitors raising awareness about issues impacting LGBTQ+ communities across Hawaiʻi. H3RC sponsored and facilitated the morning panel titled “Healthcare, Not Politics: The Case for Gender Affirming Care.” The discussion brought together leaders working at the intersection of healthcare

After more than 40 years serving the island, Malama Pono Health Services closed its doors at the end of January. As the only HIV organization on Kauaʻi, and one of the few offering sexual health and gender-affirming care services, Malama Pono was a beacon of hope for many in the community. In response to this loss, H3RC opened its Kauaʻi office at the beginning of February, expanding access to essential services on the island. Today, the Kauaʻi team provides HIV case manageme

H3RC was proud to stand alongside advocates, community partners, and lawmakers at the Opening Day of the Hawaiʻi State Legislative Session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Opening Day marks the start of the legislative year and serves as an important reminder that the policies debated inside the Capitol have real and lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of our communities. For the communities H3RC serves, these decisions matter deeply. Issues like HIV prevention and care,

H3RC was proud to host the return of our C.H.O.W. Party, bringing together community members and service providers for a day focused on connection, care, and access to resources. The event welcomed more than 50 participants and 16 community exhibitors, creating a vibrant space where individuals could engage directly with organizations offering health services, support, and information. Events like the C.H.O.W. Party are an important part of our harm reduction work. They provi

Hep Free Hawaiʻi and partners hosted the annual Hawaiʻi Liver Summit this month, bringing together over a hundred participants including medical providers, public health leaders, researchers, and community advocates who are working to eliminate viral hepatitis in Hawaiʻi. The summit has quickly become an important space for learning, collaboration, and strengthening access to care for communities that face the highest barriers. This year, H3RC was proud to celebrate a signifi

More than one hundred community members gathered as H3RC hosted Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, a solemn and heartfelt event honoring the lives of transgender, māhū, and gender-diverse people lost to violence in the past year. The ceremony included the reading of names, reflections from community leaders, and tributes to local transgender community members who recently passed away. This year’s observance carried an even deeper meaning with the announcement of a

H3RC closed out World AIDS Day week with a joyful and heartfelt evening at Puamana, our annual community art show uplifting artists living with HIV and celebrating the long tradition of creativity, resilience, and expression within our community. Puamana began more than two decades ago as a small gathering where people living with HIV could share their art and be recognized for their talent rather than their diagnosis. That spirit continues today as the event provides a space

More than one hundred community members, advocates, and leaders gathered at the Church of the Crossroads on December 1 to commemorate World AIDS Day and to honor a powerful force within Hawaiʻi’s HIV movement. This year, Kunane Dreier, H3RC’s deputy director of programs, received the 2025 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award for his more than twenty years of service advancing HIV prevention, care, and equity across Hawaiʻi. The award recognizes individuals whose work reflects exceptio

H3RC was honored to host a special Thanksgiving gathering at the Church of the Crossroads for our clients living with HIV. Approximately 75 clients joined us for a warm holiday meal, fellowship, and an afternoon dedicated to community and connection. This annual tradition is one of the most meaningful moments of our year. Our clients living with HIV inspire us every day with their resilience, strength, and commitment to their health and wellbeing. Thanksgiving offered a chanc

In addition to an additional $545,000 of funding to support the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s Hepatitis Program via SB 1431 (Act...

On July 22, Hep Free Hawaiʻi hosted a World Hepatitis Day event at Kapiolani Community College with keynote remarks from Governor Josh...