Hawaiʻi is facing a significant shortage of public health professionals. To tackle this issue, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is taking steps to develop future leaders in the field, starting in high schools.
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway focused on health services, but only five schools currently offer it. Many students and teachers are unaware of public health careers, which slows growth in this area.
Yuka Polovina, an instructor at the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, created a workshop called “Public Health 101 for CTE Teachers.” This program aims to increase awareness of public health jobs and provide teachers with essential concepts and teaching strategies. By integrating public health topics into their lessons, educators can spark students’ interest.
“Many students want to help their communities but often overlook public health as a career,” Polovina explains. “Once they understand its impact, they get excited.”
The first PH 101 training took place in October 2025, bringing together teachers from the Windward District. Trisha Kim, a CTE Resource Teacher, organized this event. It connected public health with sustainability and food systems.
“This type of professional development is invaluable,” Kim notes. “Our partnership truly benefits Windward District students.”
The training included a visit to Kailua High School and the Waimānalo Learning Center, led by experts in public health and agriculture. Participants explored the MALAMA Aquaponics program, a hands-on example of public health in action. Polovina remarked, “It’s eye-opening for teachers to see how public health affects everyday life, from clean air to safe drinking water.”
This workshop is just the beginning. Another session is likely planned for the spring, making it accessible to CTE teachers statewide. Teachers can request a workshop by emailing hiphwork@hawaii.edu.
Efforts like this are part of a larger push supported by the Hawaiʻi Public Health Workforce Catalyst Lab and the State Department of Health’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant. This initiative could reshape the future of public health in Hawaiʻi by inspiring a new generation of students.
Research shows that communities with strong public health programs see lower rates of disease and better overall health outcomes. In the U.S., for instance, public health initiatives helped reduce smoking rates by 30% over the past 50 years, highlighting the positive impact of strong public health education.
As we look at the future, it’s clear: investing in public health education today can lead to healthier communities tomorrow.
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