More than 300 people joined in person and online at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center on October 4 for Diet & Nutrition for the Cancer Journey, a free public event held in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The “ʻOhana Pink” gathering, part of the UH Cancer Center’s Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community program, was the largest yet, featuring expert discussions, a cooking demonstration, food giveaways and wellness resources.
Attendees heard from Sharon Kaʻiulani Odom, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, registered dietitian and breast cancer survivor, who shared how farm-fresh, whole foods promote health. Native Hawaiian chef Tammy Mahealani Smith demonstrated how to prepare lūʻau stew using locally sourced ingredients, followed by a shared meal and panel discussion with nutrition and cancer experts from the UH Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Hawaii and Get Redy Farm.
‘Food is medicine’
“Having so many people show up reaffirms that diet and nutrition during the cancer journey is a topic of high interest—not only for patients, but also caregivers, families and those wanting to prevent cancer,” said Jami Fukui, chief of clinical breast oncology for the Ka ʻUmeke Lama program (an initiative launched by the John A. Burns School of Medicine to improve cancer care in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific) and ʻOhana Pink founder. “Food is medicine. Healthful, nutrient–dense food can help us be our best healthy selves.”
UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno added, “By offering free workshops like this, the UH Cancer Center is broadening its scope. Not only are we conducting cutting–edge scientific research and innovative clinical trials, and strong community outreach, we aim to support Hawaiʻi’s past and current patients through every phase of the journey, with care and aloha.”
Peter Hirano, husband of the late Susan Hirano, said, “Susan believed that no one should face cancer alone—that education, community connection and aloha are as fundamental as medical treatments.”
The next event for the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community will be held on January 17, 2026, and focus on the caregiver’s journey.
