# Hawaii — Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

The Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is in active planning and early implementation, following a major federal award supporting integrated initiatives to strengthen rural health systems statewide. The program prioritizes six core areas, including telehealth, rural infrastructure modernization, workforce pipeline and training, EMS and respite care, and value-based innovation, with planned investments in health IT, EMS upgrades, and provider supports. Initiatives are targeted toward neighbor islands and rural Oʻahu to address access barriers and workforce shortages, with hospital and provider system alignments underway and formal funding opportunities forthcoming. Current structured plan tracks six interconnected initiatives focused on digital networks, emergency services, provider well-being, and value-based care. Current structured plan tracks 15 key initiatives and 9 strategic goals.

## At a glance

- Implementation phase (RCJ): IMPLEMENTING
- Funding opportunities tracked: 8 (2 open or announced, 6 closed)
- Awards recorded: $137.0M to 5 recipients
- Critical Access Hospitals: 2
- Rural population share: 41%

## Current progress

Hawaii is actively implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program, with multiple procurements and grant solicitations issued for Puʻulu Lapaʻau mini-grants, Kuleana Connect, HOME RUN Education, and FQHC transformation grants. Applications are open, and award review processes are underway for rural wellness, workforce, and infrastructure support. The Department of Health has begun announcing awards for RHIN and RVBI initiatives, while informational sessions and technical assistance are ongoing for applicants and subrecipients. State opportunities: 2 active (2 open, 3 past/closed), $17.2M listed funding. State opportunities: 2 active (2 open, 3 past/closed), $17.2M listed funding. Key opportunities: Kuleana Connect Grant Program; HOME RUN Education Award (Hawai'i Pacific Basin AHEC / UH JABSOM); Statewide Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Infrastructure, Analytics, Readiness Funding, and Transformation Support. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, prevention priorities.

## CMS published status (State Data Maps)

- Budget Period 1 award: $188.9M
- State Policy Action commitments: 1 of 19
- Initiatives (6), current CMS stage of each:
  - Hawai'i Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods (HOME RUN) — Stage 2
  - Pili Ola Telehealth Network — Stage 2
  - Rural Health Information Network (RHIN) — Stage 2
  - Rural Infrastructure for Care Access (RICA) — Stage 2
  - Rural Respite Network (RRN) — Stage 2
  - Rural Value-Based Innovation (RVBI) & AHEAD Readiness Fund — Stage 2
- CMS data captured 2026-10-23, last confirmed 2026-11-02

## Open and announced opportunities

- [HOME RUN Education Award (Hawai'i Pacific Basin AHEC / UH JABSOM)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/home-run-education-award-hawai-i-pacific-basin-ahec-uh-jabsom--dc3101140b) — GRANT; Open
- [Kuleana Connect Grant Program](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/kuleana-connect-grant-program--42e6e6fdd1) — GRANT; Open; $1,000 – $30,000

## Closed opportunities (6, most recent first)

- [SHPDA2603: Clinically Integrated Network and Managed Services Organization Support](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/shpda2603-clinically-integrated-network-and-managed-services-organization-suppor--33e10cd366) — RFI; Closed; due 2026-09-02
- [SHPDA2609: Statewide Hospital Infrastructure, Analytics, Readiness Funding, and Transformation Support](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/shpda2609-statewide-hospital-infrastructure-analytics-readiness-funding-and-tran--6f56fa0819) — RFI; Closed; due 2026-09-02
- [Statewide Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Infrastructure, Analytics, Readiness Funding, and Transformation Support](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/statewide-federally-qualified-health-center-fqhc-infrastructure-analytics-readin--9f7dac6871) — GRANT; Closed; due 2026-08-24; $17.0M
- [Pu'ulu La'apau Mini-Grant Program for Rural Healthcare Professional Wellness](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/pu-ulu-la-apau-mini-grant-program-for-rural-healthcare-professional-wellness--a7d61d8c11) — GRANT; Closed; due 2026-06-01
- [HOME RUN Rural Workforce Investment Program](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/home-run-rural-workforce-investment-program--1dbe3adcb6) — GRANT; Closed; $200,000
- [Hawaii Federal RHTP Award (FY2026-FY2030)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/hawaii-federal-rhtp-award-fy2026-fy2030--a5e4d24f37) — AWARD; Closed; $189.0M

## Largest recorded awards

- University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine — $45.0M (FY2026-2030)
- Hawaii Primary Care Association — $25.0M (FY2026)
- Healthcare Association of Hawaii — $25.0M (FY2026)
- Physicians of Southwest Washington, LLC — $25.0M (FY2026)
- HAWAII PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION — $17.0M (FY2026-2027)

## Official sources RCJ monitors

- [HI RHTP Primary](https://engage.hawaii.gov/rhtp/)
- [HI DOH News Releases](https://health.hawaii.gov/news/)
- [HI Official RHTP](https://health.hawaii.gov/shpda/rural-health-transformation-program)
- [HI Gov: $188.9M RHTP Award Announcement](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-hawaii-awarded-188-9-million-to-transform-rural-healthcare/)
- [HI RHTP Official Portal: Funding Opportunities](https://rhtp.hawaii.gov/funding-opportunities)
- [HI RHTP Official Portal](https://rhtp.hawaii.gov/)
- [HI UH JABSOM / AHEC: HOME RUN Initiative](https://ahec.hawaii.edu/home-run/index.html)

---
Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/hi — data as of 2026-11-03.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.