Director's Veteran Message July 3, 2025

The change of command is part of a longstanding tradition with one of our closest partners. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) has shared space and purpose with Tripler since our first clinic opened on the campus in 1980. Over the years, our partnership has grown through shared training, joint services, and a mutual commitment to those who have served. Many of our nurses and medical residents receive critical training at TAMC, and Veterans continue to rely on Tripler for specialized and emergency care.

The Greek Philosopher Heraclitus is credited with the saying: “Change is the only constant in life”. As changes unfold—from the national level to leadership transitions here at VAPIHCS and TAMC—what doesn’t change is our focus. People come and go, but our mission endures. We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality, and compassionate care to Veterans and their families. Let us embrace the changes ahead with confidence and dedication. 

Independence Day 

In observance of Independence Day our clinics will be closed on July 4, 2025, and Saturday July 5, 2025. As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, we reflect on the significance of this day for our country, honoring the freedoms and values that our Veterans have bravely defended. It provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the true meaning of our citizenship. To be American is about so much more than simply a place that we call home. It is about a deeply felt commitment to the higher principles of liberty, self-governance, and equality. Independence Day also offers a special time for families to come together, enjoy the warmth of summer, and appreciate the beauty of our home here in the Pacific islands. 

While festivities are in full swing, let's remember to prioritize safety and health – from sun protection to staying hydrated and practicing firework safety. I hope this holiday brings you a moment to reconnect, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of a summer weekend. 

Upcoming Construction

Beginning July 14th through October 3rd, VAPIHCS will be modernizing the ACC Main Entrance at our Spark Matsunaga VA Clinic in Honolulu, requiring the closure for concrete and roof work on the entryway covering. For everyone's safety, the side entrance facing west will serve as the new temporary main entrance and exit, as well as the drop-off location, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day. We anticipate that this rerouting should pose minimal disruption, and we encourage you to look for the designated signage for the nearest entrance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause during the construction period.

Virtual New Patient Orientation

We are thrilled to announce our New Patient Orientation on July 8, 2025 at 2:30pm – 5:00pm Hawaii Standard Time. This informative virtual session is designed to help you transition smoothly into our health care network.

Join us online to receive valuable information on a variety of essential topics, including:

• Primary Care
• Women's Health
• Scheduling Appointments
• Pharmacy Services
• Prosthetics
• Veteran Transportation Programs

This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the resources and support available at VAPIHCS. Our goal is to ensure you have the most up to date information and support you on your health care journey and maintain your well-being. Visit our website to register or to learn more.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

A successful businessman was vacationing in a small coastal village when he noticed a local fisherman docking a small boat with several large fish. The businessman complimented the quality of the fish and asked how long it had taken to catch them.

“Only a little while,” the fisherman replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the businessman asked.

“I catch enough to support my family’s needs,” said the fisherman.

“But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman smiled. “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap, spend time with my wife, and stroll into the village in the evening to play guitar with my friends.”

The businessman scoffed. “I am an expert in business. I could help you. Here’s what you should do instead: spend more time fishing. With the extra profits, you could buy a bigger boat. Then, with more boats, you could open your own cannery, move to the city, and run your expanding enterprise from there.”

The fisherman asked, “But how long would that take?” “About 15 to 20 years” 

“And then?” asked the fisherman.

“Then you’d retire. Move to a small coastal village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take naps, spend time with your wife, and enjoy evenings with friends.”

The fisherman smiled and said, “But I’m already doing that now.”

This well-known story has resonated throughout the years with many because it homes in on something that is profoundly human: the relentless pursuit of more. Bigger, better, and grander are pursued so strongly that the concept of “enough” can sound almost foreign. While the businessman was deferring his happiness to some distant future, the humble fisherman understood that life’s greatest gifts and opportunities were already within his grasp.

Some hold the belief that achieving something grand or attaining the “next thing” is necessary to make an impact and leave a lasting mark. But each day, life presents us with countless opportunities – though often humble and without much fanfare – to make real, tangible differences in the lives of those within our reach. The fisherman revealed that what is often needed most is not new circumstances, but rather fresh eyes to discern the impact we are already making.

One Team, One Ohana!

Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE 

Interim Medical Center Director

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System