Hardy Spoehr grew up on O‘ahu, spending much of his time around Bishop Museum.  He graduated from Punahou School and received degrees from Wesleyan University and University of Hawai‘i.  He has additional certificates in management, ornithology and historic preservation.

As an adult, Hardy has lived in Hawai‘i and Rarotonga (Cook Islands) working as a teacher and an administrator in agencies such as The Nature Conservancy, ALU LIKE, Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation, Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and the congressional Kaho‘olawe Island Conveyance Commission from 1990-1993.

Hardy is the executive director of Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian board of health, founded in 1988 and authorized by the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act.  His staff won’t let him retire.

Hardy has been awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and the Kako‘o o Kalaniana‘ole Award from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, at which time he was gifted the name Ka-malu-mālama-o-ka-ho‘ola, the caring peace that brings well-being.

In his spare time, Hardy paddles with Anuenue Canoe Club, referees ILH football, blows the bagpipes in the Celtic (KEL-tik) Pipes and Drum Band, is a philanthropist, and, with wife Joyce, dotes on his six grandchildren.

HAWAIIAN HEALTH

Hardy Spoehr will describe the health status of Native Hawaiians, its historical context, and the many efforts to improve the health of our people through policy, programs, direct services, research, data & information, health education and prevention, workforce development and outreach.