The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Health Care System (NHHCS) Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of research in Native Hawaiian individuals and communities but additionally to educate researchers to build capacity within communities so that communities can participate in and partner with research projects that address existing community health concerns. Existing IRBs within the state of Hawai`i were lacking in awareness of potential harms to Native Hawaiian communities and were not appropriately addressing the needs of the NHHCS. Community members sit side by side with scientists and health professionals on the NHHCS-IRB with equal weight given to their mana`o (thoughts). Ongoing and rigorous IRB training is provided for all IRB members. The NHHCS-IRB also is developing policies to guide its work and to address issues of concern to native communities, such as group harm and participation in genetic studies.
The NHHCS - IRB is guided by the ethical principles regarding all research involving humans as subjects, as set forth in The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research. (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.htm) and 45CFR46, the Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/45cfr46_04.html)
