The 26th annual West Hawai‘i Cancer Symposium is set for Sept. 8-9, 2023, at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawai‘i Island. The event, which offers continuing education credit for oncologists and registered nurses, attracts more than 150 health care professionals from Hawai‘i and the mainland each year.
The symposium raises funds for cancer research through the American Cancer Society, and a portion of the monies raised come back to West Hawai‘i to benefit Big Island patients who have experienced cancer.
Founded in 1998, the symposium resulted from efforts of local physicians to elevate cancer care and provide greater access close to home. Daryl Kurozawa, MD, surgeon and symposium co-director, returned “home” to Kona in 1994 and discovered that the area had no radiation therapy, tumor board or even a full-time oncologist.
Kurozawa, a member of the board of the American Cancer Society – West Hawai‘i Unit, collaborated with Robin Seto, MD, a local internist. Concluding that the best way to improve care for Big Island residents was through education, they began planning a one-day educational meeting on breast cancer treatment options. Though their agenda was starting to gel by 1996, they still lacked a venue – until Kurozawa was participating in events surrounding the first Terry Fox Run at the Four Seasons Resort Haulalai in 1997.
The Terry Fox Foundation raises funds for cancer research, and a chance meeting between Kurozawa and the chair of the Terry Fox Run led to talk of mutual interests in cancer education, an introduction to the resort’s general manager, and the first educational meeting, on Oct. 10, 1998. The resort has served as the venue and symposium partner ever since.
In 1999, the name West Hawai‘i Cancer Symposium was adopted, the list of topics was expanded, and the educational meeting became part of a seamless weekend of activities that include the Taste of Hawai‘i Island Dinner, a golf tournament, a tennis tournament and a run, which is now called the Run for Hope.
“It’s very rewarding to know that we are supporting those from Hawai‘i who are afflicted by cancer, and we are elevating the level of cancer care for those around us,” Kurozawa said.
“We’ve developed a symposium that attracts a nationally and world-renowned faculty to Hawai‘i, providing a high-quality educational experience in one of the most beautiful venues in the world,” he added. “In addition, we have a great partnership with the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and their Run for Hope events, which raise funds for cancer research and care through the American Cancer Society and the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.”
Although the symposium is sold out, the other venues and events remain open to the public, with the resort hosting the 25th annual Run for Hope. The public is invited to participate in the two-day weekend, Sept. 8 and 9, that features a variety of activities, including tennis and golf tournaments, and ends with the 5K and 10K run/walks and a keiki dash. Tickets can be purchased at the Four Seasons Run for Hope site (https://press.fourseasons.com/hualalai/hotel-news/2023/run-of-hope/).
This year’s educational symposium includes presentations on breast, colorectal, endometrial, gastric, and prostate cancers, as well as on multiple myeloma and toxicity in immunotherapy. The keynote address, “Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Care in Hawai‘i and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands,” will be given by University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD.
“The UH Cancer Center has long been involved in mitigating the cancer burden among high-risk groups, such as Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and underrepresented ethnic communities, like Filipinos,” Ueno said. His presentation will address the unique opportunities and challenges of cancer care among these ethnic populations in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
“I am honored to be a part of the West Hawaiʻi Symposium and share our research and health care initiatives that are especially relevant to the residents of Hawaiʻi,” he added.
Other presenters and topics at this year’s symposium include:
- Andrew Ko, MD, Associate Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Kevork Kazanjian, MD, Professor of Surgery, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
- Taryne Imai, MD, Director, Thoracic Surgery, The Queen’s University Medical Group, The Queen’s Medical Center
- Colin C. Pritchard, MD, PhD, Co-Director Genetics & Solid Tumors Laboratory, Program Director for Cancer Precision Diagnostics, Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington
- Celestia Higano, MD, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia; Medical Director, Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program, Vancouver Prostate Centre
- Anne Mohrbacher, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Jane Anne Nohl Center for Blood Diseases, Kenneth Norris Cancer Center, USC/Keck School of Medicine
- Bryan Schneider, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Michigan Medicine
- Barbara Norquist, MD, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
- Kelly Hunt, MD, Olla Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, Chair, Breast Surgical Oncology Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Edith A. Perez, MD, CMO, Bolt Biotherapeutics , Professor Emeritus, Mayo Clinic, Recently Approved and Ongoing Adjuvant Trials for Early Breast Cancer
Kurozawa and Higano are members of the event’s planning committee, with Jonathan Cho, MD, of the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center; Sharon Lum, of Loma Linda University School of Medicine; and Jan Wong, MD, of East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. Wong will present a session on complex cases during the symposium.
More information on the history and impact of the West Hawaiʻi Cancer Symposium is available at https://westhawaiicancer.org/about-us/.