Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green voices support for cancer research, science, and science-based policy, as matters of community care and global security
January 24, 2023
Governor’s remarks made during roundtable discussion at 17th Annual Weinman Symposium at University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green is underscoring the critical importance of cancer research and overall medical science as both a humanitarian responsibility, and a matter of national and international security, emphasizing that sustained investment in research is essential to protecting lives, strengthening communities and safeguarding the future.
Green’s remarks were made during a roundtable discussion on how cancer research will carry on amid federal funding cuts, held on Friday, Jan. 23, before nearly 100 people gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center as part of its 17th Annual Weinman Symposium. The event drew international and U.S. cancer researchers; UH Cancer Center and UH faculty, staff and students; and members of the public. The discussion panel included six other medical research leaders and was moderated by Dr. Michele Carbone, Co-Founder of the Weinman Symposium and Director, Thoracic Oncology, UH Cancer Center.
Speaking about the challenges facing research institutions across the state and nation amid federal funding constraints and inflationary pressures, Green reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the University of Hawaiʻi and its research enterprise, including the UH Cancer Center.
“The challenges are many,” Green said, “but there’s no question that states can help.” He pointed to a plan to provide an additional $7.5 million to the UH Cancer Center, helping preserve research momentum and infrastructure during a difficult fiscal period.
Medical research crucial for national response, global security, Green says
Green warned that any reduction of federal research funding threatens not only scientific progress, but also the nation’s ability to respond to future health crises. He stressed that cancer research and medical science should be insulated from political cycles and treated as a long-term societal commitment. “Cancer does not know a red state or a blue state,” Green said. “It doesn’t know ideology. This is something we should commit ourselves to for humanity.”
Cuts to U.S. cancer research funding by the current federal administration from January to March 2025 amounted to approximately 31% compared with 2024, according to various reports, including an OncLive report. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) — the world’s largest source of funding for cancer research — was one of the biggest targets, with hundreds of millions of dollars in impacts to staffing, study grants, clinical trials and more, and the possibility of additional cuts continues to loom.
Green also said that biomedical research is directly tied to global security. He cited emerging technologies such as RNA-based research and vaccines, and said failure to invest risks leaving America vulnerable if other nations dominate critical scientific breakthroughs.
“If we don’t fund important research and someone else does — and they control that scientific discipline — we’re not just at a disadvantage during outbreaks,” Green said. “It’s unsafe to have monolithic control of major technologies. That’s completely unacceptable to the world order.”
To ensure stability and science-based decision-making, Green described steps to emphasize science-based decision making, and collaborate with other states and across party lines to protect long-term research capacity, and prevent loss of a generation of upcoming scientists and clinicians.
“We’re talking about extending life, protecting humanity, and making sure we’re prepared not just for today, but for 30, 50, 100 years from now,” Green said. “That’s where medical research matters most.”
Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center; and Dr. Michele Carbone, Co-Founder of the Weinman Symposium and Director, Thoracic Oncology, UH Cancer Center, both expressed strong appreciation for Green’s support for scientific research. “His vision, making sure that there is long-term cancer research, really makes a big difference,” Ueno said. “There are 70,000 people in Hawaiʻi with cancer. The only way to cure cancer for future generations is to advance research.”
Green presents Weinman Award to Dr. Antoni Ribas of UCLA
Green also presided over the award ceremony for the 2026 Weinman Award, for Dr. Antoni Ribas of UCLA. Ribas is renowned for his work in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for malignant melanoma. He holds positions as a professor at UCLA, and Director of the Tumor Immunology Program at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Dr. Ribas proved that immunotherapy saves the lives of patients with melanoma,” Carbone said. “He is well deserving of the prestigious 17th annual Weinman Award, which recognizes major advancements in cancer research.”
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center proudly hosted the prestigious 17th Annual Barry & Virginia Weinman Symposium on January 21-23, 2026, at the Sullivan Conference Center on the UH Cancer Center campus in Kakaʻako. The distinguished three-day international scientific conference brought together leading researchers and clinicians from around the globe to share cutting-edge discoveries in cancer genetics and environmental carcinogenesis — the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influence cancer risk and treatment outcomes. The free public event offered 27 presentations spread over the three days.
More information: WeinmanSymposium.com and UHCancerCenter.org.
