Rooted in Hawaii, Built for Care
KokuaNet is a care coordination platform built to close real gaps in social determinants of health. We identify individuals with unmet needs — like housing, food, or transportation — and match them to verified, local resources that confirm service availability. Unlike traditional referral tools, we follow through until services are delivered and patients confirm their needs were met. Our mission is simple: ensure every person receives the care and support they deserve — no matter where they start.
UNDERSTANDING SDOH
The Why, How, and What
Most health outcomes are driven by social needs like housing, food, and transportation - yet the majority of SDOH referrals go untracked, and only a fraction result in confirmed support. Without a system to follow through, millions fall through the cracks and healthcare costs rise unnecessarily.
The SDOH Reality
Up to 80% of a person's health outcomes are influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors—rather than by clinical care alone. These include determinants such as housing stability, education, employment, and access to nutritious food and safe environments (National Academy of Medicine).
Why SDOH Gaps Remain Open
Despite growing recognition of the role of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), the gap remains due to fragmented coordination between healthcare and social services, reimbursement models that prioritize clinical over preventive care, and the widespread absence of interoperable systems to collect, share, and act on SDOH data (BMC Health Services Research, Duke-Margolis Center).
How SDOH Referrals Get Lost
Most healthcare systems have no idea whether a referral for social determinants of health (SDOH) was ever received or acted upon. This is largely due to the absence of closed-loop systems that can track referrals through to service completion. Without integrated data infrastructure and real-time communication between healthcare providers and community-based organizations, critical gaps persist—leading to missed interventions, duplicative efforts, and fragmented care (Activate Care, Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation)
What SDOH Data Shows
Unmet social needs like housing insecurity can increase healthcare costs by 2-3x per person, driving avoidable hospitalizations and ER visits. While 88% of hospitals screen for SDOH, fewer than 25% track what happens after the referral-leaving critical gaps unresolved and patients at risk (JAMA Network, Deloitte United States).
Our Story
KokuaNet was born out of a deep respect for the Hawaiian value of kōkua — to help without expecting anything in return. We are a team of technologists, community advocates, and care coordinators who believe that better health starts with meeting people where they are. Our mission is to support the people of Hawai‘i by identifying and closing social gaps that too often go unseen — from housing and food to transportation and family support. With roots in the islands and a commitment to our local communities, we built KokuaNet to connect individuals to real, local help — quickly, compassionately, and with full accountability. This is about more than technology. It’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and making sure no one falls through the cracks.
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