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Aloha mai kākou.
Scholar Activist and
Public Health Professional
Pronouns: he/him/his
Aloha! ʻO Jake Ryann Sumibcay koʻu inoa (My name is Jake Ryann Sumibcay.
I am a health disparities researcher and health equity scholar who focuses on disparities and inequities among minoritized populations. I specialize in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations. My research seeks to understand the nuances in racialized representations of these communities and how they are reflected in public health policy, practice, and research to advance health equity, anti-racism, and social justice.
Mahalo nui for visiting my website. Here you will find my CV, my social links, and contact information.
You can take the boy from the island…
but not the island from the boy.
I come from Honolulu, Hawai‘i, where I grew up in the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi-Kapālama on the Island of Oʻahu. My parents immigrated from the Philippines as part of the Hawai‘i Plantation migration, and our family has been settled in U.S.-occupied Hawai‘i for over three generations. The unique experience of growing up at the crossroads of the Pacific has shaped my deep appreciation for the land, ocean, diverse communities, food, and extensions of family that make up my identity. I earned my Bachelor's degree in International Studies from Seattle University in Seattle, WA. I went on to pursue a master’s and doctoral degree in Public Health from Claremont Graduate University in Southern California. Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA. Though I am a thousand miles away, I carry with me the pride, passion, and values instilled in me by my island home.
Hawai'i is more than an idealized destination; it is a real place with real people facing real challenges. These challenges include the high cost of living, health issues, disenfranchisement and grievances of our Native peoples, and other social and economic problems. As a Keiki o ka 'āina (child of the land), I have a relationship and responsibility to the land, the Indigenous people, and the communities. I take accountability for our shared and connected histories. I stand for decolonization, addressing the issues of colonialism and systemic racism and improving the health of all.
Maui Fires Relief
The Maui Wildfires devastated the historical coastal town of Lāhainā. Please consider donating to our Maui ʻohana directly by clicking the button below. A Google spreadsheet provides a list of donation links of families and organizations requesting aid.
Other monetary donations are accepted through the organizations listed:
Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong fund: Focusing on rapid response and working with local nonprofits to understand community needs. More details.
Maui Food Bank: Collecting and distributing food to help the hungry in Maui County. More details.
Maui United Way: Providing direct relief to families and nonprofits. More details.
The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division: Providing food and resources for evacuees. More details.
Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation: Partnering with the state Department of Education to support school communities in West Maui through Oct. 1. More details.
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: Working to match every donation to Maui fire victims as of Friday evening. More details.
‘Āina Momona: Establishing an emergency fund for Maui County first responders, including Firefighters, Lifeguards, and Emergency Medical Technicians. More details.
Catholic Charities Hawaii: Actively working with other organizations to assess the critical needs of individuals affected by the wildfires.
Maui Humane Society: Supporting shelters for displaced people and animals, and caring for injured animals. More details.
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Business Relief Fund: Assisting the business communities on Maui.
World Central Kitchen: Providing meals to people in need by partnering with local organizations. More details.
Hawaii Lions Foundation: Matching up to $25,000 in donations for Maui disaster relief efforts. More details.
Hawaiʻi People’s Fund: Providing immediate relief to those directly impacted by the wildfires on Maui Island. More details.
GoFundMe - Verified donation pages for families and organizations
Visit Maui County’s Maui Nui Strong website for more information about getting or giving help.
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ʻŌlelo Noeau