Director's Message February 7, 2025

Our dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly to ensure you receive the services and support you deserve. Whether you visit us in person or access care remotely, you can trust that we will continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence in your health care. With all the changes happening, I want to assure you VAPIHCS is committed to providing quality health care to America's heroes.

Thank you for your service and for allowing us the privilege of serving you. 

Any questions call 1-800-214-1306 or visit VA.gov.

Black History Month

Throughout February, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), remembers and recognizes the service and sacrifice of Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. We join the rest of the country in celebrating their invaluable contributions to the United States.

First, let me acknowledge our distinguished Black employees at VA. They -alongside employees of every community- work hard each day at VA to serve our nation’s heroes. Thank you for everything you do here at VAPIHCS.

The 2025 Black History Month theme is “African Americans, and Labor.” It’s important that we acknowledge and remember that America would not be the country it is today without the contributions of Black Americans. Business, academia, religion, medicine and science, literature, education, entertainment, government, sports, law, non-profit — every part of our nation has had Black Americans contributing in meaningful ways. They have added to and enriched every facet of American life.

Black Americans have also made countless contributions to our armed forces. During the Revolution, the colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island employed Black Americans in the militia and Continental Army. For their service, these brave Americans were promised freedom, and many served courageously in regiments that were interracial. 

During the Civil War, the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment fought for the Union Army. By war’s end, the 54th had lost half of its troops, but their valor at Battery Wagner in South Carolina motivated over 180,000 Black Americans to enlist for the Union, which was critical to the Union’s eventual victory.

During World War I, more than 380,000 Black Americans served in the armed forces - albeit in segregated units. The Army’s 92nd Infantry Division faced fierce combat in the Meuse-Argonne offensive beginning in September 1918.

At the same time, the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, supported the French Army through 191 days in the frontline trenches—longer than any other American unit. For their bravery and distinguished service in battle, France honored them with the Croix de Guerre, the country’s highest military medal.

During World War II, more than a million Black Americans served our nation. The Tuskeegee Airmen, the Montford Point Marines, the Red Ball Express truck convoy system, the 761st Tank Battalion -known as the Black Panthers- and the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment; also called the Triple Nickels. Three all-Black divisions, the 2nd Cavalry, 92nd Infantry and 93rd Infantry, fought for the cause of freedom as well. They played a meaningful part in the overall victory of the allied troops against the Nazi regime.

During the Korean War, 600,000 Black Americans served to preserve our liberty. Often called “the Forgotten War,” the Korean War was responsible for stopping the spread of Communism, and for creating the country of South Korea. The United States allied with forces from around the world, and Black service members were part of this unique partnership. Today, the only United Nations cemetery in the world is located in South Korea; a testament to the integration of American troops with those from around the world. Due to executive order 9981 -issued by President Harry S. Truman- it was also the first time Black troops and white troops served in racially integrated units after discrimination “on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin” in the military was abolished.

Throughout our military’s nearly 250-year history, Black Americans have risked their lives to defend our nation’s founding ideals, though long denied the blessings of those ideals themselves. Whenever they were needed — from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan — they answered the call. Their courage, their perseverance, and their valor made possible our country of today. They have given everything for the noble causes of peace, security, and liberty for the sake of the simple truth that “all men are created equal.”

Black history is American history. May God bless everyone in uniform; our Veterans, their families, and their survivors; and this nation as we celebrate our shared history. 

New Sign-In Deadline Extended

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will provide Veterans additional time to transition to a new online login system that lets them more quickly and securely access information about their VA health care and benefits. In July, VA announced a phase out of My HealtheVet and DS Logon sign-in options, in favor of two new options, Login.gov and ID.me, which will help the department offer stronger protections for Veterans, families and caregivers.

VA is extending the final deadline by which Veterans and beneficiaries can log in to VA.gov, VA mobile applications and other VA online services using their My HealtheVet username and password from January 31, 2025, to March 4, 2025. The deadline to switch from DS Logon to ID.me or Login.gov remains September 30, 2025. Most VA beneficiaries are already using Login.gov and ID.me to access My HealtheVet and other VA digital services, but VA will use this additional time to ensure as many Veterans and beneficiaries as possible make the switch before the old My HealtheVet username and password system is retired March 4, 2025. In addition, VA is increasing outreach to Veterans who have yet to make the switch and will provide in-person assistance at VA Medical Centers across the nation. All VA beneficiaries are encouraged to visit Prepare For VA’s Secure Sign-In Changes | Veterans Affairs to learn more.

Housing All Veterans

No Veteran should be homeless in the country they fought to defend. VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans because it is our nation’s duty to ensure all Veterans have a place to call home. No matter where homeless Veterans are sleeping or in what community they’re living, VA’s mission has not changed. We’re here to serve Veterans because they served us. 

VA is implementing a comprehensive and proactive action plan to support Veterans impacted by current and future closure of encampments of unhoused individuals across the nation. This plan aims to support unsheltered Veterans living in encampments by:

• Providing them with same-day access to interim housing,
• Connecting them to all necessary supportive services to obtain and maintain permanent housing, and
• Preventing them from entering the criminal legal system.
To accomplish these aims, this action plan intends to build upon existing strategies that support coordination with local agencies and encompasses three main national actions:
•  Develop and maintain a nationwide inventory of current and future encampment closures.
•  Activate local response teams.
•  Disseminate national strategies to inform local action.

More information about these national actions are available at www.va.gov/Homeless/Encampments.asp. 

Upcoming Events

VAPIHCS will hold an Ohana Open Market event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on February 14, 2025, at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic at 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave, Kapolei, HI 96707. This is a chance for Veterans and active duty service members and their families to get cost-free groceries. If you have any questions, contact Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Schoen Safotu at schoen.safotu@va.gov. 

VAPIHCS will hold a Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy information fair from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on February 27, 2025, at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic at 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave, Kapolei, HI 96707. The event will highlight the Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts programs, and help Veterans learn about how they can get involved. If you have questions, contact Recreation Therapy Supervisor Melissa Crawford at melissa.crawford5@va.gov. 

Closed for President’s Day

Our clinics will be closed February 15,2025, and February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Presidents’ Day was originally designated to celebrate the birthday of our first President, George Washington. Let us look to our proud history and celebrate this country. 

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

When you do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”  - George Washington Carver.

George Washington Carver’s life is a shining example of how ordinary things can be transformed into extraordinary contributions. Among his many achievements, his groundbreaking work with the humble peanut stands as a testament to the power of curiosity, innovation, and purpose-driven discovery.

Although born around 1864 (exact date unknown) in abject poverty and dire circumstances, he not only unlocked the power of the peanut, but exemplifies what can happen when one unlocks the power of one’s mind.

Through relentless experimentation, he unlocked over 300 uses for the peanut, including medicinal oils, dyes, soap, cosmetics, flour, milk, and even synthetic rubber. The peanut – a crop that seemed like just an everyday food item, became a source of life-changing products that supported industries, improved nutrition, and revolutionized agriculture. His discoveries provided sustainable alternatives that helped farmers restore depleted soil and diversify their livelihoods. His talent and skill gained the attention of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, and he also consulted for President Theodore Roosevelt and Mahatma Ghandi. 

The lesson from Carver’s work with the peanut is profound: greatness isn’t always found in rare resources or ideal circumstances. Sometimes, it’s hidden in plain sight, waiting for someone with vision and determination to uncover it. His ability to see beyond what was, to what could be, encourages us to look at our present opportunities for service with fresh eyes.

In our course of service, as we face complex challenges, Carver’s legacy inspires us to harness the “ordinary”—whether it’s a simple idea for process improvement or a small act of kindness. Just like Carver and his peanut, we can create meaningful change when we continue to approach our opportunities and challenges with curiosity, creativity, and a heart committed to service.

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
Website:https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/va_pacific_islands/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PAOOffice1
Podcast: https://vapihcspao.podbean.com/