Director's Message August 18, 2023

Thank you for your commitment, dedication, and resilience to care for those who are in need. We are supporting your efforts in any way possible – sending materials, supplies, and donations, and sending staff to relieve some of the stress you may be feeling. Please take care of yourself and your families during this difficult time. VAPIHCS stands with you, proud and ready to support our Maui ohana.

VA has created a resource page for Veterans affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui. Veterans who need assistance can call 1-800-214-1306 to speak with someone about resources that are available to them. We are also collecting donations for those affected by the fires at the Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) in Honolulu, HI that are shipped over to Maui daily. Some recommended donations items are below:

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toilet paper, disposable razors, hair ties.
• Cell phone chargers, blankets and pillows, clothing, prepaid phones, or shoes
• Nonperishable food items and water

Many people lost everything in this tragedy, and VA is committed to helping them through this difficult time in every way possible. If you have questions about how you can help, please contact our Chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE), Schoen Safotu at (808) 433-7725 or email him at schoen.safotu@va.gov. Our thoughts are with the people of Maui in this difficult time.

Whole Health: Friends, Family, and Co-Workers

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is committed to a concept that we call Whole Health. This is a way to provide care to Veterans which focuses not on the symptoms of patient, but instead of asking what matters to them. We want to structure our care around what your priorities are so that you can make space for your health care needs in your life.

Part of this concept involves offering Evidence Based Practices (EBP), including acupuncture, Tai Chi and Yoga guided videos, and other complimentary treatments which can be used in conjunction with more traditional treatments such as medications and surgery. We want to give you plenty of options so that you can find out what works for you. Each person is unique, and so each person must have an individual course of treatment that reflects what matters to them and what can specifically enhance their life.
The theme this month is “Friends, Family, and Co-workers”. It’s about taking the time to ensure that you have a good support network around you of people who can help you celebrate the good times and support you through the bad.

When you visit your primary care provider, share what matters to you and complete your Personal Health Inventory. Discuss ways that you can modify your lifestyle to be more in line with your health goals, and ask about your doctors’ recommendations for complimentary treatments. You might want to get involved with the Move Program which helps people stay active. You might decide to do some work on yourself and ask to see a Mental Health Specialist. This should help guide the conversation through your health care goals and how your doctor can assist you in meeting them. VAPIHCS is here to support you!

Toxic Exposure Legislation

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act was passed over one year ago, and we continue to register Veterans to allow them to access more benefits through VA than ever before. Any Veteran with a history of toxic exposure can enroll under the PACT Act, and we’d like everyone to come and speak with us to discover what benefits they may be eligible for.

We have an event coming up at the Oahu Vet Center at 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, HI 96818. Staff will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 31, 2023, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 1, 2023. All Oahu Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors are invited to attend.

We also have an event coming up at the Arc of Hilo at 1099 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720. Staff will be on site to speak with Veterans and provide health services from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both September 7 and 8, 2023. Please call 1-800-214-1306 if you have any questions or if you need more information.

These events are intended to give Veterans an opportunity to talk with staff in their communities. Veterans are still welcome to make an appointment and come see us at our clinic locations if they’d like to enroll under the PACT Act, or enroll online.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

The wildfires that swept across portions of Maui have devastated the lives of countless people who called the island their home. The rising confirmed death toll and scenes depicting homes and businesses burnt to the ground continues to shake us to our core. And as we contemplate the loss of life, our thoughts and prayers continue to extend on behalf of Maui and their loved ones, who lost precious lives in one of the most difficult and tragic ways that a life can be lost. But the shock waves of these wildfires have echoed beyond Maui’s shores and have impacted those of us across the Pacific Islands and beyond, as we witness one of our sister islands in suffering. When one of us suffers, we all, in some way, are impacted. In moments like these, it’s understandable to have a mixture of emotions, ranging from sadness to grief, anger and even confusion - all as we seek to come to terms and process the events that life has presented to us.

But tragedy has a way of calling to bear some of our most precious inner qualities - qualities such as resilience, compassion, and a willingness to sacrifice. The Maui CBOC team continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and commitment to Veterans, doing their part to ensure Maui Veterans relate to the services and support they need. Across VAPIHCS, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support, with leadership and staff rising to the occasion, providing swift care and support, eager to do their part to assist in any way possible. All this demonstrates is the power of unity, and the impact that can be made when joining together, especially during difficult moments.  During this time, let us continue to band together more deeply, supporting each other, being patient with one another, and holding space to support each other during a time when it’s needed most.

One Team, One Ohana!
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
VADM, MC, USN, (RET)
36th Surgeon General, USN

Stay Informed

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