Measuring the Impact of a Native Hawaiian Birth Program on Maternal Health
Official title: Kakua Hoolaupai: Measuring Impact of a Native Hawaiian Birthing Movement
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11444206 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-based study in Hawaiʻi will look at how a culturally grounded birth program affects maternal health and birth outcomes for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $644,528 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MD021578-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444206 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people in Hawaiʻi who participate in the Ka Lāhui O Ka Pō program at Kōkua Kalihi Valley and their partners.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals not connected to the KLP program or those outside the study site may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will partner with a local health center to study a birth preparation program rooted in Native Hawaiian culture. Researchers will review several years of program data to understand what parts of the session and birth stories are most helpful. Using community-based participatory methods, the team will gather insights from pregnant women, their partners, and program staff to shape clearer, patient-centered resources. The study design includes a cohort approach to observe outcomes and identify factors that support safer pregnancies and births within the community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform culturally tailored strategies to reduce maternal mortality and improve prenatal care engagement for NH and PI communities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with community-based birth programs has shown potential to improve engagement and outcomes in similar populations, but results vary by setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Revilla, Marie K F — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Revilla, Marie K F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.