OHA launches marketing campaign for health efforts

News Release from OHA

HONOLULU (Dec. 27, 2012) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a major marketing campaign to promote a health initiative aimed at battling obesity, a cause that has become a top policy priority.

The campaign includes TV commercials that will air statewide for a month on KHON-2 and Hawaii News Now, starting Dec. 27.

In the weeks ahead, similar commercials will appear during previews at movie theaters across the state. Through the entire month of January, print versions of the commercials will target commuters who ride TheBus on Oahu.

The initiative is a direct response to OHA research that identifies obesity as one of the greatest threats to Native Hawaiian health.

For that reason, OHA is taking steps to encourage Native Hawaiians to eat healthier and become more physically active. It’s part of a broader long-term strategy to counter health risks associated with a lack of physical activity and proper nutrition.

OHA’s efforts are expected to be enhanced by various community partners. Among them are non-profit organizations that, in the months ahead, will be awarded an estimated $800,000 in OHA grant money for their programs designed to combat obesity and promote active lifestyles.

For more information about OHA's health initiative, visit http://www.oha.org/health.

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PBN: According to OHA, it will invest more than $1 million during the next two years for programs that will encourage Native Hawaiians to eat healthier and become more physically active. The program is also part of a strategy to combat health problems associated with not being physically active.

OHA said in a statement that it is partnering with The Queen’s Medical Center, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center, the Hawaii Department of Health, the Department of Native Hawaiian Health and Hawaii Medical Service Association in the effort..