The unique population residing on the Waianae Coast of Oahu has long been a popular
focus among researchers. Responding to the frequent requests by outside researchers,
the Waianae community established research guidelines for implementing community-based
research in the early 1990’s.
In an effort to protect the community and provide a consistent framework for research
performed on the Coast, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) formalized
these guidelines into a set of policies and procedures which it has used for over
15 years in reviewing research proposals. In 2005, the Center established a formal,
federally recognized research review board to further protect and provide over-sight
for community-based research.
WCCHC Research Committee and IRB Process