Ohana Health Plan and HMHB Hawaii Expand Maternal Health Program with $300,000 Investment

On March 27, 2025, ‘Ohana Health Plan, a Centene Corporation company, announced a $300,000 investment to expand its partnership with the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii (HMHB Hawaii). This brings their total capital investment in the "Mana ‘Ohana" program to $500,000.

Mana ‘Ohana is a holistic maternal and child health program led by midwives and rooted in culturally responsive, community-based care. It provides ‘Ohana Health Plan members with perinatal support services—both clinical and social—delivered directly to communities through mobile clinics.

The program has already demonstrated impact, with more than 40% of the plan’s pregnant members utilizing its services in the first year. According to Kari Shintaku, Vice President of Population Health and Quality Improvement at ‘Ohana Health Plan, this led to improved prenatal and postpartum care and a reduction in NICU costs.

Sunny Chen, CEO of HMHB Hawaii, highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that Mana ‘Ohana is expanding access to care that is both culturally sensitive and person-centered, improving outcomes for mothers and babies across Hawaii.

The initiative exemplifies the power of strategic, locally tailored partnerships in improving public health outcomes.