Director's Message September 20, 2024

September 15th – October 15th, each year is Hispanic Heritage Month, and marks an opportunity to recognize the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to our culture, and to VA. The United States of America is richer because of its diversity, and we are all necessary to make our nation great. 

Flu Season is Here

Veterans are encouraged to call 1-800-214-1306 and schedule a time to get the flu shot at your regular Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) or other VAPIHCS location. If you have already received your flu shot in the community, call our hotline at 808-433-4979 and leave a message stating your name, the last four digits of your social security number, the date that you were vaccinated, and the location where you got the vaccine. VAPIHCS staff will enter this information into your patient record. Protect yourself and you community by getting vaccinated. 

Ohana Open Market

VAPIHCS’ Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) has partnered with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Honolulu and the Hawaii Food Bank to make our Ohana Open Market a regular occurrence.  Every second Friday of the month, Veterans and active-duty military are invited to come to the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic between 10 a.m. and noon for cost-free groceries. If you have questions or if you would like to volunteer, please contact CDCE Chief Schoen Safotu at schoen.safotu@va.gov or (808) 321-7505. 

Thoughts from Chaplain Jewel Davis

Over the next several weeks I will present a series of inspirational thoughts that showcase our beautiful world. So, because “Charity begins at home,” this series will launch from where we are today, in beautiful Hawaii, the “Aloha State.” 

Hawaii is a chain of volcanic mountains that emerged from beneath the Pacific Ocean. It consists of eight major islands, over one hundred islets, and covers approximately 11,000 square miles. The name Hawaii is thought to have been given by its Polynesian settlers and derived from the name Hawaiki. Currently, the Hawaiian Islands are home to about 1.4 million people.  

The Hawaiian Islands formed over time with Kauai being the oldest, then Niihau, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, with Hawaii (or Big Island) being the youngest. And although Hawaiian and English are the official languages, Hawaii is very multilingual. Languages spoken include Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, and others. Many Hawaiians speak with a Hawaiian Creole English dialect, known as pidgin.

With its two main seasons, summer and winter, Hawaii provides ample opportunity for both indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Water lovers enjoy diving, swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, and rowing. Land roamers have the pleasures of hiking, running, walking, cycling, skiing, playing various sports, mountain climbing, and so forth. And for those who like to take to the skies, well there’s skydiving, hang gliding, and parasailing. There are a lot of things to do in Hawaii, including attending concerts, festivals, and luaus. It’s only a matter of getting out and doing what we enjoy on these lands surrounded by pristine beaches. Hawaiian culture inspires unpretentiousness, patience, politeness, gentleness, and humility.

Of the many things that stand out about Hawaii, one thing is certain: its Aloha Spirit encourages peace, kindness, compassion, and fostering harmonious communities where everyone feels respected and accepted. This spirit is what we extend to our Veterans, their families, and caregivers, ourselves, and persons around us. As we continue to extend our care and compassion, let us not forget to start here at home.

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

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