Thanksgiving at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei

Volunteers from organizations like Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Red Cross, American Veterans (AMVETS), AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, and the Young Marines came out to assist in setting up and breaking down, serving food, and delivering food to Veterans in the community who were unable to attend the event. This annual event is put on by the VAPIHCS Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and was intended to ensure that all Veterans have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving, and someone to spend it with.

“One of the things we’re trying to do at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System is extend services into the community so Veterans can get what they need,” said Dr. Adam Robinson, director VAPIHCS. “Particularly on Thanksgiving, we want to make sure that Veterans are not alone, and that they can have a meal to eat.”

Dr. Robison also mentioned the Ohana open market events which happen on the second Friday of each month at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic. These events are an opportunity for Veterans and active-duty service members to come and pick-up cost-free groceries. The Ohana Open Market events are made possible with the help of the Hawaii Food Bank, the Armed Services Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and the VAPIHCS CDCE staff. Dr. Robinson explained that the most meaningful way to honor the service of active-duty military and Veterans is by doing practical things to help them. 

KITV4 Reporter Kristen Consillio covered the event and spoke to many of the Veterans and staff. Volunteers brought their children and set up a station for them to draw pictures on the “to go” boxes of food that were put together for Veterans in care facilities, at Barber’s Point Veteran Housing, at the VAPIHCS Community Living Center (CLC), and at the hotels where Veterans in town for medical procedures were staying. Members of many organizations including Aegis Insurance, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Samoan Gospel Heralds helped put the “to go” meals together and delivered them to the community on behalf of VAPIHCS. 

“First of all, I love everything the VA has done for us,” said Navy Veteran and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Chaplain Lisa Adams. “Not just events like this, but the programs and services, too. Recreation Therapy got me out of bed when I didn’t think I could, and they have helped so many of us recover from setbacks in our health.” 

In previous years, the VAPIHCS Thanksgiving event was held at other locations such as Cloudbreak Veteran Housing and the AMVETS West Oahu Vet Center at Iroquois Point. Holding the event at a VA location required having Environmental Management Services (EMS) and VA Police work to ensure Veterans safety and the cleanliness of the facility. Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic Chief April Seghorn was also present to ensure the event ran smoothly. 

“I have never seen so much community engagement and togetherness at other VA locations where I have worked,” said Acting VAPIHCS Police Chief and Army Veteran Richard Hough. “This is so important. To get involved -to reach out to the community and feed people- it’s one of the most meaningful things we can do to help.” 

Many volunteers, employees, and Veterans felt moved by the size of the gathering and the kindness of everyone involved. Volunteers arrived at 8 a.m. HST and began setting up. By 9 a.m. they were putting together the “to go” containers to be delivered to the community. By 10 a.m. they were welcoming Veterans to line up and make themselves plates. Food was made available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and tables were set up under the awnings of the clinic to provide a place for everyone to eat.  By 2 p.m. volunteers and staff had cleaned up the area and left the clinic as clean as it had been before they arrived. 

“I didn’t expect this many people,” said Dr. Richie Charles, chief of VAPIHCS Chaplain Services. “When I pulled up the parking lot was so full that it was like a normal day, like the clinic was open. The energy here is amazing -it’s life-giving, really- the smiles and the joy is all around us. You can tell everyone is really glad to be here.” 

In addition to a Thanksgiving meal, Veterans were also invited to take home toiletries, clothing, blankets, canned goods, and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) from a donations table in front of the clinic. Donated items are often made available at VAPIHCS events in case anyone needs them. Many Veterans remarked that they were grateful for this because of the high price of food and other goods at the store. Even those who did not take donations home remarked that they were grateful to have somewhere to go for the holiday, and that they enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with other Veterans. 

“Sometimes I hear grumbling from some of the other Vets who say that they aren’t getting everything they want,” said Army Veteran Richard T. Yoshitake. “Personally, I think things are good and getting better. This new clinic is amazing, and the staff here are always smiling and happy to see me. I have tried to come to all the events, and I’ve been so impressed with what is offered.” 

Yoshitake served in Vietnam in the 11th Light Infantry Brigade, and he transferred his care to the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic because he was excited about how convenient it was for him to drive to the clinic from Mililani. The Akaka Clinic opened on April 8, 2024, and is making a big difference for Veterans who felt that going to the Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) base to receive services at the Spark Matsunaga VA Clinic was too difficult. Since opening, the clinic has progressively added services. At its opening it provided Women’s Health, Podiatry, Pulmonary Function Tests/Pulmonology exams, Cardiology, Audiology, Gastroenterology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Recreational Therapy.  In October, Optometry and Dental services were added. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine has already been delivered and is expected to be operational in January of 2025. The clinic even offers art classes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays. 

“Our classes have grown since we moved them to the Akaka clinic,” said Artist and Marine Corps Veteran Peter Koutrouba. “It’s great for the Veterans because art is a very meaningful form of expression; it can be very therapeutic.” 

VA volunteers helped drive Veterans to the clinic for the Thanksgiving event. Marine Corps Veteran Justin Harding drove the DAV van, shuttling Veterans from U.S. Vets and Cloudbreak Veteran Housing to the clinic, and then home again. Many members of VAPIHCS leadership attended, including VAPIHCS Director Dr. Adam Robinson, VAPIHCS Chief of Staff Dr. Arun Raman, and VAPIHCS Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Donald Banik. According to CDCE Chief Schoen Safotu, the event brought approximately 328 volunteers, 472 Veterans, and 550 “to go” plates delivered to those who couldn't attend in person.

“It’s very heartwarming to see such a vibrant turnout,” said Dr. Raman. “So many people came out to support our Veterans and our community.”