This summary highlights Maui AIDS Foundation's efforts in compassionate leadership, HIV/AIDS prevention, housing support, and the impact of recent disasters, advocating for strategic empathy and effective resource allocation.

Empathy and Leadership in response to FY27 Presidential Budget

A focus on leading with understanding and compassion to foster a supportive organizational culture, every client every day.

• • Maui AIDS Foundation's leaders demonstrate empathy to promote a culture of support and collaboration.
  • This approach inspires team members to work together toward goals like advocating for those affected by HIV/AIDS and ensuring access to resources.
  • Emphasizing empathy aligns with strategic leadership, enhancing engagement, human connection, decision-making, and trust.
  • Cultivating empathy helps build a stronger, inclusive organizational culture with psychological safety.

It is our hope to reach all elected officials in Washington DC to emulate this winning strategy.

Success in HIV Prevention and Safe Spaces

HIV transmission is directly impacted by providing confidential, accessible safe space.

• Maui AIDS Foundation reported zero new HIV cases from 2024 to 2026, aligning with Hawaii’s goal to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030.
• Services at Ho’omana Ola Free Clinic provide confidential wraparound support at the clinic, at houseless encampments, in the correctional center, and at substance use treatment sites.
• Addressing stigma and barriers in rural areas encourages testing and treatment, preventing STI spread.

Strategic Importance of Empathy in Leadership

Empathy is a vital, strategic tool for engagement, relationship building, and decision making.

• Empathy makes employees, clients, and voters feel acknowledged and appreciated.
• It fosters human connections and deepens understanding of individual circumstances.
• Leaders empowered with empathy can make more informed, people-focused decisions.
• Empathetic leadership creates a stronger culture, cultivating trust, inclusivity, and psychological safety.

Impact of Untreated STIs and Prevention Strategies

Untreated STIs have serious health, psychosocial, and economic consequences.

• Untreated STIs can cause infertility, chronic pain, many forms of cancer, congenital infections, pregnancy complications, infections in newborns, HIV/AIDS, and death.
• Psychosocial effects include anxiety, depression, social isolation, and relationship issues.
• They increase healthcare costs and reduce productivity, straining community resources.
• Testing vaccinations for Hep A & B, HPV, and safe sex kits.
• Choosing sexual partners carefully and avoiding drugs and alcohol before sex.
• The repercussions of STIs increase healthcare costs.

Federal Housing Support for People with HIV/AIDS

HOPWA provides vital housing support for low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS.

• American Disabilities Act (ADA) Title 24, Subchapter C, Part 574 establishes housing rights for persons with AIDS.
• HOPWA is a federal program created in 1990 to support housing for low-income HIV/AIDS individuals and families with an HIV diagnosis are protected by the ADA.
• HOPWA partners with nonprofits and housing agencies to provide housing and support services.
• Supportive housing improves medication adherence, safety, food security, and overall well-being.
• Challenges on the neighbor islands of Hawaii include high housing costs, limited employment, geographic inaccessibility, and economic pressures from disasters.
• Housing is Healthcare.

HIV Diagnosis and Client Statistics

Data showing declining HIV diagnoses and current client numbers.

• New HIV diagnoses:
  7 in 2022
  2 in 2023
  0 in 2024, 2025, and 2026
• Active HIV/AIDS case management clients: 141 in  2026.

Impact of Recent Disasters and Economic Challenges

Natural and economic disasters have severely affected Maui and neighboring islands (3 economic disasters - 6 years).

• COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022): unemployment rose from 5% to 40%, tourism declined, costing an estimated $14 trillion nationally.
• 2023 Maui wildfires: destroyed 2,071 structures, over 100 deaths, cost at least $6 billion.
• 2026 Maui storms: $2 billion in damages, 5,500 residents displaced, 1 death.
• These disasters exacerbate housing and health challenges for vulnerable populations.

Proposed Federal FY27 Budget and Housing Concerns

Proposed changes in federal funding threaten support for affordable & supportive housing.

• FY27 budget requests $73.5 billion for HUD, up from $43.5 billion, bypassing some legal requirements.
• Proposed shifts would change permanent housing to transitional housing and mandate all individuals to comply with substance use or mental health treatment.
• Presented only 34% of HOPWA funding is for emergency or short-term aid; 64% supports permanent housing programs.
• Stable housing is critical for health, especially for those with HIV, as it increases viral suppression likelihood by 20%.
• Stable housing is one of the strongest indicators of health - it enhances health outreach across rural, urban, and suburban communities.

Maui AIDS Foundation’s Comprehensive Services

A broad range of services supporting health, housing, and social needs.

• Over 40 years of harm reduction and clinical services including testing, treatment, vaccination, and outreach.
• Wraparound services: food pantry, health insurance enrollment, transportation assistance, syringe exchange, and emergency supplies in times of need.
• Emphasizes dignity, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
• Focused on marginalized populations, including LGBTQIA+, Native Hawaiians, incarcerated individuals, and those with mental health issues.

Mission and Values of Maui AIDS Foundation

Is dedicated to serving Maui County’s underserved populations with compassion and comprehensive care.

• Nonprofit organization committed to wellness, social support, and health equity.
• Serves at-risk, incarcerated, LGBTQIA+, Native Hawaiian, and marginalized communities.
• Promotes wellness, stability, and community reintegration through holistic services and advocacy.
• MAF has been recognized with a 96% Charity Navigator Rating and a 4-star designation.

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