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Hui Pohala

EIN 88-3937539 · Honolulu, HI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PALLIATIVE CARE IS A WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN. EXPANDING ACCESS TO PALLIATIVE CARE BENEFITS ALL PARTS OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. PEOPLE LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS ARE BETTER ABLE TO MANAGE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS AND HAVE PEACE OF MIND THAT THEIR CARE IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT MATTERS MOST. FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS FEEL SUPPORTED AND BETTER EQUIPPED TO HELP THEIR LOVED ONES. CLINICIANS EXPERIENCE GREATER PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION AND LESS BURNOUT. HEALTH SYSTEMS BENEFIT FROM BETTER QUALITY CARE AT A GREATER VALUE AND AN EXPERT, STABLE AND RESILIENT CLINICIAN WORKFORCE

Income
$909,811
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$136,109, secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 67% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. HUI POHALA WAS AWARDED 3.6 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO EXPAND PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. HONOLULU, HAWAII WHEN SOMEONE LEARNS THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS ILLNESS, IT CAN BE DEVASTATING. IT IS EVEN MORE DISTRESSING IF FINDING ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE CARE IS AN ISSUE. EVEN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS MAY FACE CHALLENGES IN IDENTIFYING AND REFERRING PATIENTS TO SPECIALISTS WHO CAN ALLEVIATE THE SEVERITY OF THEIR SYMPTOMS. HUI POHALA WAS AWARDED 3.6 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS), MED-QUEST DIVISION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE HUI POHALA WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO TACKLE THOSE CHALLENGES AND MAKE PALLIATIVE CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THE GRANT IS COMPOSED OF BOTH STATE, AND FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING TRAINING RESOURCES AND EQUIPPING A WIDER AUDIENCE WITH ESSENTIAL TOOLS AIMED AT ENHANCING COMPREHENSION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE, SAID JUDY MOHR PETERSON, MED-QUEST ADMINISTRATOR. WITH A LONGSTANDING DEDICATION TO THIS FIELD, WE LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH HUI POHALA IN ADVANCING THIS CRITICAL INITIATIVE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT DHS/MED-QUEST HAS GIVEN US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THIS GAME-CHANGING INITIATIVE, SAID RAE SEITZ, MD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HUI POHALA, WHO HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE SERVING IN BOTH PROVIDER AND PAYER (HEALTH INSURANCE) ROLES WITH HMSA AND KAISER PERMANENTE HAWAII. PALLIATIVE CARE HELPS PATIENTS BETTER COPE WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS AND GREATLY IMPROVES THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES, DR. SEITZ SAID. PALLIATIVE CARE CURRENTLY IS UNDER-UTILIZED AND NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD. HUI POHALA WANTS TO CHANGE THIS BY EQUIPPING PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS SO PATIENTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS CAN EASILY ACCESS PALLIATIVE CARE. HUI POHALA WILL BE WORKING ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PALLIATIVE CARE OUTSIDE OF HOSPITALS AND DOCUMENT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CARE WITH QUALITY METRICS SO PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES CAN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES SAFELY AND APPROPRIATELY. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DEVELOPING RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MANAGE CARE AT HOME AND TRAINING TO UPSKILL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS TIMELY, APPROPRIATE CARE. TRAINING, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CARING FOR THOSE WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES. HUI POHALA IS SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PILOT PROGRAMS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN NURSES FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED PALLIATIVE CARE AND WILL LEAD THE CREATION OF A CENTRALIZED RESOURCE HUB FOR INFORMATION, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES REGARDING PALLIATIVE CARE THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDERS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, PATIENTS, AND CAREGIVERS IN HAWAII AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. HUI POHALA IS CONTINUING TO DEEPEN THE COMMUNITYS UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERSISTENT GAPS AND CHALLENGES THAT PREVENT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND CAREGIVERS FROM PROVIDING THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND ACTIVATING RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST VALUE. CLINICIANS AND OTHERS ON THE FRONTLINES OF PATIENT CARE READILY SEE THE WEAK LINKS IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. WERE EXCITED TO WORK ON MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS TO FILL THE GAPS, DR. SEITZ SAID. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING TRAINING FOR DOCTORS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, REGISTERED NURSES, AND OTHERS, WERE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX AND BELIEVE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, HEALTHCARE NAVIGATORS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, HOME HEALTH AGENCIES, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, AND OTHERS ARE KEY TO REACHING MORE HAWAII FAMILIES AND MAKING PALLIATIVE CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE. HUI POHALA WAS AWARDED 3.6 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO EXPAND PALLIATIVE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. HONOLULU, HAWAII WHEN SOMEONE LEARNS THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS ILLNESS, IT CAN BE DEVASTATING. IT IS EVEN MORE DISTRESSING IF FINDING ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE CARE IS AN ISSUE. EVEN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS MAY FACE CHALLENGES IN IDENTIFYING AND REFERRING PATIENTS TO SPECIALISTS WHO CAN ALLEVIATE THE SEVERITY OF THEIR SYMPTOMS. HUI POHALA WAS AWARDED 3.6 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS), MED-QUEST DIVISION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE HUI POHALA WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO TACKLE THOSE CHALLENGES AND MAKE PALLIATIVE CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THE GRANT IS COMPOSED OF BOTH STATE, AND FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING TRAINING RESOURCES AND EQUIPPING A WIDER AUDIENCE WITH ESSENTIAL TOOLS AIMED AT ENHANCING COMPREHENSION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE, SAID JUDY MOHR PETERSON, MED-QUEST ADMINISTRATOR. WITH A LONGSTANDING DEDICATION TO THIS FIELD, WE LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH HUI POHALA IN ADVANCING THIS CRITICAL INITIATIVE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT DHS/MED-QUEST HAS GIVEN US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THIS GAME-CHANGING INITIATIVE, SAID RAE SEITZ, MD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HUI POHALA, WHO HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE SERVING IN BOTH PROVIDER AND PAYER (HEALTH INSURANCE) ROLES WITH HMSA AND KAISER PERMANENTE HAWAII. PALLIATIVE CARE HELPS PATIENTS BETTER COPE WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS AND GREATLY IMPROVES THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES, DR. SEITZ SAID. PALLIATIVE CARE CURRENTLY IS UNDER-UTILIZED AND NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD. HUI POHALA WANTS TO CHANGE THIS BY EQUIPPING PHYSICIANS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS SO PATIENTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS CAN EASILY ACCESS PALLIATIVE CARE. HUI POHALA WILL BE WORKING ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PALLIATIVE CARE OUTSIDE OF HOSPITALS AND DOCUMENT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CARE WITH QUALITY METRICS SO PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES CAN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES SAFELY AND APPROPRIATELY. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DEVEL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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