National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii

Established in 1988 and receiving its permanent charter in 1992, the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii brings help and hope to the 164,000 Hawaii residents suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease and the 1 in 2 Hawaii residents who are at risk for developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Kidney failure in Hawaii is 30% higher than the national average. Certain ethnic communities such as Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Japanese and Hispanics have higher risk of kidney disease. Approximately 450 people are on the organ transplant wait-list, and 90 percent are waiting for a lifesaving kidney. The main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor. These health problems are unfortunately common in our Island community. Over 70% of the people living with kidney failure today had been diagnosed with diabetes.