The Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) will build a statewide clinical and translational research (CTR) infrastructure to improve the health of Indigenous Pacific People (IPP) – defined as Native Hawaiians, Other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos. IPP comprise 40% of Hawaii’s population and have disproportionately high rates of physical and mental health conditions compared to Whites and Asians. They also make up a majority of Hawaii’s other medically underserved and vulnerable populations. PIKO represents a partnership between the University of Hawaii (lead), Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, and a statewide network of practice-based organizations (PBO) and community-based organizations (CBO). PIKO emphasizes the T3 (efficacy studies) to T5 (adoption and institutionalization) domains of CTR where the social determinants of health are strongly operative. PIKO takes a team-science approach to transform current CTR paradigms and to accelerate CTR advances to improve IPP health. PIKO comprises seven Cores: Administrative; Professional Development; Pilot Projects Program; Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design; Community Engagement and Outreach; Clinical Research and Regulatory Support; and Tracking and Evaluation. The University of Hawaii committed $2 million over 5 years to PIKO. The Overall Specific Aims are: Specific Aim 1: Build a robust CTR infrastructure by establishing and implementing CTR activities within and across PIKO partnering institutions; by leveraging resources and expertise of other research infrastructure programs; by creating CTR registries of academic mentors, community leaders, junior investigators, and study participants; and by implementing efficient and effective administrative operations and communication strategies. Specific Aim 2: Strengthen and diversify the CTR workforce by identifying IPP and non-IPP investigators for CTR careers; by enhancing the mentoring and professional development of CTR investigators and community leaders; by supporting culturally responsive and scientifically meritorious CTR pilot projects; and by engaging PBO/CBO to actively participate on all aspects of CTR. Specific Aim 3: Disseminate and implement CTR findings by providing strategic investments in PBO/CBO to strengthen trust-based relationships; by strengthening a statewide network of PBO/CBO to serve as dissemination and implementation partners; by convening an annual conference that brings together CTR investigators and PBO/CBO stakeholders to share best practices, discoveries, and dissemination and implementation strategies; and by leveraging data science strategies to disseminate data and findings that are user-friendly, easy to understand, and accessible. By the end of this 5-year project, PIKO will have promoted high-impact transformative CTR to improve the health of IPP and other marginalized communities in Hawaii.

The proposed Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) addresses several issues of central importance to building a robust clinical and translational research (CTR) infrastructure that directly improves the health and wellbeing of indigenous Pacific People (IPP), defined as Native Hawaiians, Other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos, and other underserved populations. The Center will establish a strong collaborative among three academic institutions and a statewide network of stakeholders, including practice-based and community-based organizations and health care providers; convert basic discoveries into real-world solutions to improve IPP health and reduce IPP health disparities; and increase the number of junior and other investigators, particularly from IPP backgrounds, for CTR careers.