CONTROL ASTHMA HAWAII

  • Images of roaches with the words Roaches can trigger your child's asthma attacks. Vacuum or sweet regularly to lower chances of a severe asthma attack.

Asthma affects people of all ages and often begins in childhood. It is one of the most common and costly diseases in the US, affecting over 28 million people – about about 1 in 12 people.1,2,3

In Hawai’i, nearly 1 in 10 adults (9.8%) and 1 in 15 children (6.7%) currently have asthma. Despite ongoing, targeted public health efforts, some communities continue to face higher rates. For example, 16.1% of Native Hawaiian adults reported having asthma in 2023, well above the state average (9.8%).4

Signs & Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease that affects the lungs. It occurs when the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

Symptoms may include:

  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing (especially at night or early morning)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing (which is a whistling sound when you breathe out)

Symptoms often follow a pattern:

  • They come and go over time or within the same day
  • They start or get worse with viral infections, such as a cold
  • They are worse at night or in the morning
  • They are triggered (learn more about triggers below)

Although asthma cannot be cured, symptoms CAN be controlled with proper clinical treatment, appropriate use of medication, self-management education, and limited exposure to environmental triggers.

Everyone with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan – a simple worksheet with the steps to take to keep your asthma from getting worse and when to take medicine. It’s easy to complete and follow. Action plans for keiki can also be shared with schools and other caregivers so they know what to do when a flare-up occurs.

Learn how managing asthma goes hand in hand with an action plan, plus more tips for parents & caregivers  and teachers & coaches. 

Triggers

Asthma triggers make asthma worse. An asthma attack (or flare-up, episode, exacerbation), which is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms, can be triggered by allergens (such as roaches, dust mites, pet dander, and mold), irritants (such as smoke and vog), and respiratory infections (such as the flu).  

Asthma triggers vary from person to person – meaning what affects one person can be different for another person. Triggers are influenced by geography, climate, neighborhood, housing, and occupation.  

Identifying and understanding your asthma triggers is an important step in effectively avoiding them or limiting your exposure to them whenever possible. 

Click on each asthma trigger to learn more.  

Common asthma triggers include:

Allergies (allergens)

  • Dust mites
  • Molds
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Roaches and their droppings

  • Rodents and their droppings

Irritants

  • Tobacco smoke
  • Smoke from wildfires and burning wood or grass
  • Vape
  • Vog
  • Car/vehicle exhaust
  • Household chemicals and cleaning products
  • Perfumes

  • Pesticides

  • Many other strong odors and fumes

Respiratory Infections & Other Health Conditions

  • Respiratory infections, including:

    • Colds
    • Flu
    • Pneumonia
    • COVID-19

  • Health conditions, such as:

    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Acid reflux

Talk to your doctor about keeping up-to-date on vaccinations, including flu, pneumococcal, and COVID-19.

Weather

  • Cold air
  • Dry air
  • Bad weather, like thunderstorms or high humidity

Exercise & Some Medicines

  • Exercise and physically demanding tasks
  • NSAIDs (Aspirin), beta-blockers, and other medicines

Talk to your doctor about asthma management and medicine so you can participate in any sport or activity.

Strong Emotions

  • Anger
  • Crying
  • Excitement
  • Fear
  • Laughter
  • Yelling

Strong emotions may cause fast breathing or hyperventilation.

Resources

Managing Asthma
Information for Parents & Caregivers
Information for Teachers & Coaches
Download Print Materials
Hawai’i Asthma Control Program, DOH Chronic Disease Management Branch
Hawai‘i Asthma Plan 2030, Healthy Hawaiʻi Strategic Plan 2030

Partners

Sources

  1. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma Facts and Figures. (2025). https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/aafa-asthma-facts-and-figures.pdf
  2. National Center for Health Statistics. NHIS Adult Summary Health Statistics. https://data.cdc.gov/d/25m4-6qqq
  3. National Center for Health Statistics. NHIS Child Summary Health Statistics.  https://data.cdc.gov/d/wxz7-ekz9
  4. Hawaii State Department of Health, Hawaii Health Data Warehouse. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. (2023). https://hhdw.org