Director's Veteran Message Jan. 9, 2026

Across the Pacific Islands, we heavily rely on our DoD and community partners to fill the gap, when we cannot provide the care ourselves. Care in the community is another benefit that you earned as a Veteran. 

You can learn more about the IVC/ Care in the Community program at this link below. 

Fact Sheets for VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care Programs

The Wall that Heals

The Wall That Heals, a 3/4-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, that is visiting Oahu, Hawaii, at the University of Hawaii – West Oahu campus in Kapolei from January 13-19, 2026, offering 24/7 public access to honor fallen service members, with free admission.

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) will have dedicated staff present January 14-18, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to connect with Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, caregivers, and students. Our team is available to answer questions about VHA enrollment, provide information on the PACT Act, services, and programs, to support our Veterans in every way possible.

We humbly acknowledge the immense sacrifices made by our Vietnam Veterans, honoring those who gave their lives in battle and those who returned with lasting wounds. The Wall That Heals offers a poignant opportunity for reflection, closure, and a sense of peace. 

Whole Health for Transitioning Service Members

Kick off 2026 the right way by enlisting the support of VA Whole Health. Whole Health can help Veterans transition from military service to civilian life achieve and maintain health and happiness.

Make Whole Health your new mission in the new year. This holistic approach includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, promoting a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. 

Start the new year with a commitment to Whole Health and discover the transformative benefits of a personalized, proactive approach to your well-being. 

Click Link her to learn more https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/get-involved/get-started.asp  

And for more information please contact us 1-.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

Our English word talent comes from the Greek talanton, which originally referred to a “scale,” “balance,” or unit of weight. In the ancient world, a talent was both a measure of weight and currency—one of the largest denominations of value, typically in silver or gold. A single talent could equal nearly twenty years’ wages for an average worker.

Civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks used the talent to measure wealth, with weights ranging from roughly 57 to 100 pounds. To put that in perspective, just a single talent of gold weighing 75 pounds would be worth about $4.9 million in today’s value.

While talent no longer refers to a physical object, its significance has not diminished. In fact, it has deepened. Today, we understand talents as gifts, skills, and abilities—forms of value that far surpass silver or gold. Each of us is uniquely wired with gifts that, when developed and stewarded well, can profoundly impact the lives of others.

Your talents—whether they feel grand or modest—carry intrinsic worth and real potential. They are essential threads in the mosaic of care we provide to our Veterans. The ancients considered their talents of precious metals to be among the highest expressions of value, and we should treat our modern talents just the same.

As we begin this new year, let us commit to discovering, refining, and maximizing our gifts. Whether it is a skill you’ve honed over time, an ability you’ve yet to explore, or a new capacity waiting to be developed, every talent holds the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. That impact cannot be measured in silver or gold – it is priceless.

One Team, One Ohana!

Thomas A. Steinbrunner FACHE
Interim Executive Director
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System