U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Thursday that Papa Ola Lokahi, a nonprofit organization that advocates for and coordinates health care for Native Hawaiians, and the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems will receive a total of $18.2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This total is an increase of $1.2 million from last year, and will be used to help more Native Hawaiians get access to “health education, promotion, disease prevention and basic primary care services.” Funding is provided through the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program.

Papa Ola Lokahi will receive $2,554,935. Hui Malama Ola na Oiwi on the Big Island will receive $3,134,982, Hui No ke Ola Pono on Maui will receive $3,431,410, Hoola Lahui Hawaii on Kauai will receive $3,167,651, Na Puuwai on Molokai will receive $2,661,902 and Ke Ola Mamo on Oahu, $3,249,120.

“Thousands of Native Hawaiian families across the state rely on these clinics for health care,” Schatz said. “This year, we were able to secure additional funding, which means these clinics will have the resources to help even more people connect with their doctors and get the health care they need.”

In addition to obtaining this increase in annual funding for the five NHHCS and Papa Ola Lokahi, Schatz also secured $20 million from the American Rescue Plan for the NHHCS in corona­virus relief funding in March.