What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in our communities. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious damage of every organ, often resulting in complications such as stroke, blindness, kidney failure, amputation of limbs, and complications of pregnancy. In Hawaiʻi about 1 in 8 people are affected by this diagnosis.
Diabetes is the failure of one of the body’s regulatory systems to produce insulin. Those who have type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin. Insulin’s main role is to tell the body when to store glucose and when to use it for energy, which is why those with type 1 diabetes tend to store an 
overabundance of glucose. This may cause many health problems with the kidneys, eyes, and nerves. People with type 2 diabetes are able to produce some of their own insulin, but it is often not enough to keep up with regulating the intake of glucose. Or, for some, the body has built a resistance to insulin. This still results in an overabundance of glucose in the body which can lead to a myriad of health issues.
(Information retrieved from the American Diabetes Association)
Diabetes Self Management Education Program
Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi offers the Diabetes Self Management Education Program online. The 3-week class meets once a week for 2.5 hours each. Learn basic 
information about diabetes, nutrition, exercise, medication and tools needed for continued management of self-health while living with diabetes. Instruction provided by a Registered Nurse (RN) and other medical professionals.
This class is FREE and open to those with diabetes diagnosis.
Interested in this service? Sign-up here and we will contact you. Or call us at (808) 969-9220.
Diabetes Support Group
Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi offers Diabetes Support Group as a space for participants to share about their journey build ʻohana, receive educational 
information presented by healthcare professionals, and get answers to their health questions.
Diabetes Support Group meets two times a month on the following days:
1st Tuesdays at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
3rd Tuesdays at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Interested in this service? Sign-up here and we will contact you.