Insurance

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Hawaii Medical Service Association

Hawaii Medical Service Association is a US-based insurance company headquartered in Honolulu. It oversees approximately $624 million in assets across two...

Hawaii Medical Service Association logo

Hawaii Medical Service Association

Hawaii Medical Service Association is a US-based insurance company headquartered in Honolulu. It oversees approximately $624 million in assets across two funds, primarily serving the North American region.

General information

Firm type

Insurance

Year founded

1938

AUM

Undisclosed

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Honolulu

Corporate office

818 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96814

Additional offices

Keaau, HI

Principals

Robert S. Harrison

Board Chair

James C. Polk

Board Member

Jason C. Chang

HMSA Foundation Board Member

Sector focus

Healthcare ServicesReal EstateFixed Income

Frequently asked questions

How is HMSA's investment portfolio structured?

HMSA manages its assets through a general account structure typical of insurance companies. The majority of the portfolio is allocated to investment-grade fixed-income securities designed to match the duration of medical claims liabilities. A smaller portion is directed toward commercial real estate, including the firm's headquarters in Honolulu and a property in Keaau. The mandate is conservative and yield-oriented, not growth-seeking.

Who governs investment decisions at HMSA?

Ultimate oversight resides with the board of directors, chaired by Robert S. Harrison, who is also the Chairman, President, and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank. Day-to-day investment management is handled internally by the treasury and investment functions. The specific investment committee composition and whether external consultants influence asset allocation are not publicly detailed.

What is HMSA's relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield?

HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. This affiliation grants its members access to Blue Cross and Blue Shield networks across the United States while keeping HMSA's risk pool and underwriting operations localized to Hawaii. It does not share a balance sheet with the national association or other state Blues plans.

Does HMSA have a philanthropic arm?

Yes, the HMSA Foundation operates as the organization's grantmaking vehicle, focusing on community health initiatives across Hawaii. The foundation's board includes Jason C. Chang, President and CEO of The Queen's Health System. The foundation is legally separate from the insurance operations, though both share the HMSA brand and mission alignment.

How does HMSA's nonprofit status affect its investment approach?

As a nonprofit mutual benefit society, HMSA does not face pressure from public shareholders to maximize returns. The portfolio is managed to support the insurance business's obligations to members — primarily claims reserves and operational liquidity. Excess surplus, when generated, can be redirected toward community health programs or used to moderate future premium increases.

Who sits on HMSA's board?

The board is chaired by Robert S. Harrison, Chairman, President, and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank. James C. Polk, an executive at Bank of Hawaii, also holds a board seat. Other directors are drawn from Hawaii's business and healthcare communities, but the full board roster is not centrally published in a single public-facing document.

What is One Health Hawaii, and how does HMSA relate to it?

One Health Hawaii is a parent nonprofit organization that includes both HMSA and Hawaii Pacific Health, a major hospital system. The structure is designed to align payer and provider incentives, though the full scope of financial integration and joint investment activity between the entities has not been publicly disclosed.

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