The American Diabetes Association of Hawai'i hopes for greater awareness of a disease that is disproportionally striking Island residents as World Diabetes Day approaches on Friday.

More than 110,000 people in Hawai'i — more than 7 percent of the population — has diabetes. But, according to the American Diabetes Association of Hawai'i, as many as 39,000 of them don't even know they have the disease.

The United Nations in 2006 designated Nov. 14 as World Diabetes Day. This year's observance "will bring even greater attention to the burden of diabetes," said Laurie Tom, president of the community leadership board of the American Diabetes Association in Hawai'i. "We are proud to support this day and bring much needed attention to the seriousness of diabetes both globally and nationally."

Some facts about diabetes in Hawai'i:

• Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in Hawai'i. It may actually be higher because diabetes-induced cardiovascular deaths are often under-reported, according to the ADA of Hawai'i.

• Compared to other ethnic groups, Native Hawaiians have the highest diabetes mortality rate.

• Direct medical costs to treat diabetics are almost 2.4 times more than patients without diabetes — meaning it costs approximately $964 million per year in direct medical costs to treat diabetes in Hawai'i.

• The median rent in Hawai'i is $779 per month. The typical Type 2 diabetic spends more than $700 per month on insulin and other medications and supplies.

• One in three children born in 2000 will develop diabetes nationally. In Hawai'i, one in two children born in 2000 will get the disease.