UHA Health Insurance Promotes Darren D. Nakao to Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer as Organization Enters Next Phase of Growth

Honolulu, HI (May 7, 2026) – UHA Health Insurance has announced the promotion of longtime executive Darren D. Nakao to executive vice president, chief operating officer and treasurer, as the organization marks its 30th year serving Hawai‘i and prepares for its next phase of growth.

In his expanded role, Nakao is responsible for UHA’s companywide operations, finance and administrative functions, helping ensure the organization is well positioned to serve members and employers of all sizes while maintaining the service standards that have defined UHA for three decades. As COO, he reports directly to President and CEO Howard Lee and oversees senior executive leaders across operations, service, sales, marketing, human resources and information technology.

With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare finance, strategic planning and operations, Nakao brings a deep understanding of Hawai‘i’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and the increasingly complex regulatory and reporting environments in which health insurers operate.

“As UHA enters its fourth decade, Darren’s leadership as COO is central to how we aim to grow: deliberately, responsibly and always in service of our members,” explains Lee. “Darren has strengthened our ability to serve new business at scale while staying true to our values and what differentiates UHA: simplicity, transparency and the personalized service our members and employer groups have come to trust.”

Nakao previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

He joined UHA in 2014 as senior vice president and chief financial officer after serving as director of provider economics and network administration at HMSA.

Throughout his tenure, Nakao has played a key role in aligning UHA’s operational and financial infrastructure with the organization’s long‑term strategy. Under his leadership, UHA has continued to invest in systems, people and processes that support growth without compromising access to care, choice within a broad physician network and responsiveness to members, employers and providers.

“As we look ahead, our focus remains on sustainable growth grounded in UHA’s values,” said Nakao. “That means continuing to invest in the operational strength, financial stewardship and team leadership required to serve our communities well – today and into the future.”

The Mānoa resident earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Economics at Brown University and is a graduate of ‘Iolani School. As a volunteer, he serves on the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team, as well as the Boards of Directors of Financial Executives International – Hawai‘i Chapter, Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union and America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He is also president-elect of the ‘Iolani Alumni Association. He was selected as an AHIP Executive Leadership Program Fellow in 2022.

About UHA Health Insurance
Celebrating 30 years of service to Hawaiʻi, UHA Health Insurance is a physician‑guided, homegrown health insurer committed to care, not just coverage. UHA combines personalized support with coverage designed to put people first.

Through one of the largest physician networks in the state, UHA provides medical, drug and vision plans to over 4,200 Hawai‘i employer groups and over 57,000 members statewide.

Founded in 1996 by University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine educators, UHA is the only Hawai‘i‑based health insurer established by physicians themselves. Today, UHA remains physician-led with a continued focus on influencing healthcare in Hawai‘i for the better, while ensuring its members have access to high-quality, clinically sound care. UHA was the first health insurer in the state to offer plans centered on wellness and disease prevention and is accredited in Health Utilization Management through URAC, the independent non-profit that promotes healthcare quality.

For information, visit uhahealth.com.

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