Shayna Inafuku

Shayna Inafuku, MPAP, PA-C, is an Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant Program at the Graduate College of Health Sciences, Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU). She serves as the Director of Admissions for the program and is dedicated to training culturally competent medical providers for Hawai'i's diverse communities.

Her educational background includes a Master of Physician Assistant Practice from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and a BS in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the same institution, where she was recognized as a Native Hawaiian Health Scholar.

Dr. Inafuku's research and professional interests focus on addressing health disparities through community-clinic partnerships, preventive care, and culturally grounded health promotion. Her work emphasizes Native Hawaiian health, sexual health for at-risk youth, obesity and diabetes prevention, and interdisciplinary care models. She is passionate about integrating cultural humility into healthcare education and practice.

Her publications, while not listed in detail, reflect a commitment to community-based interventions and health equity. She has contributed to federally funded programs targeting chronic disease prevention and sexual health education.

She is an active member of the American Academy of PAs, the Physician Assistant Education Association, and the Hawai'i Academy of Physician Assistants. She co-authored Aloha Affirmations, a children's book promoting Hawaiian cultural values such as compassion and self-love.

Dr. Inafuku has served as a clinical provider at Waikiki Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, where she led key initiatives including the 1422 Program for chronic disease prevention and the Wahine Talk program for homeless and runaway females. She continues to reside in Kailua, O'ahu, with her 'ohana, remaining deeply rooted in her community.