Veterans Report Back on The Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic One Year In

The clinic houses primary care, specialty clinics like audiology, women’s health, nephrology, mental health, and prosthetics, as well as diagnostic services like CT, X-ray, and MRI. The Akaka Clinic also has the Brew Cafe canteen, an urgent care center, the West Oahu Vet Center, and a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) office. Finally, the clinic includes a laboratory, dental clinic, optometry, and a pharmacy. On April 8, 2024, when the clinic first opened its doors, Army Veteran Alvin Akana and his son Air Force Veteran Elroy Akana were the first patients to be seen.

“At first we were just impressed with the parking and not having to fight traffic to get into town,” Eloy Akana said. “Over the last year, they have added so many services that there’s almost nothing we can’t get taken care of here at the clinic.” 

After chest pains, Elroy Akana had to go to the Queens West emergency room, because VAPIHCS doesn’t have any facilities capable of treating a Veteran who is potentially having a heart attack. In emergency situations Veterans should always go to the nearest emergency room or call 911, because only a hospital will have the facilities needed for emergent care. For all services except emergencies, the Daniel K. Akaka Clinic can help. 

“We love coming here because it feels so welcoming,” said Alvin Akana’s wife Sharon. “There’s so much light, and it’s so clean. The staff are kind, too. They always make us feel welcome.” 

The Akaka Clinic has been the site of many ‘firsts.’ The first VA Police in the Pacific Islands are based at the Akaka Clinic. The Akaka Clinic was also the first VAPIHCS location to be cared for by VAPIHCS new Environmental Management Services (EMS). From the first VA MRI machine to the first VA urgent care and the first VA canteen in the Pacific Islands, the clinic is a flagship that demonstrates the VA's commitment to serving VAPIHCS Veterans. Those who get their care at the clinic see and appreciate this. 

“This clinic -to me- is the fulfillment of a promise that VA made,” said Alvin Akana. “I know first-hand that it’s making a huge difference for the Veterans of the west side of Oahu, and I really appreciate Dr. Ricardo-Dukelow, my doctor, and everyone here who takes care of us.” 

VA facilities are built based on the need in an area, and the west side of Oahu has the highest concentration of Veterans in the Pacific Islands. VAPIHCS does not have a hospital, as none of the islands in the coverage area -including Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and the Hawaiian Islands- have enough Veterans to meet the criteria for building one. However, this deficit is filled by partnerships with local providers and local hospitals on each island. VAPIHCS works hard to provide the care that Veterans have earned and deserve as close to home as possible. 

“With everything up and running, I’ve been able to take care of most things I needed here,” Elroy Akana said. “I was able to get glasses, a hearing aid, and so much more. It’s also nice how fast the turnaround on most things is. From when you realize you need something to when you get it is fast.” 

The Akana family were invited to meet VAPIHCS leadership the morning of the one-year anniversary party, and to sit up front during the ceremony. Alvin Akana was accompanied by his wife Sharon, his son Elory, and his grandson active-duty Marine Corpsman Heoulu Bautista, who came with his wife and daughter. Like so many Veterans who now come to the Daniel K. Akaka Va Clinic, they were happy to give a glowing report one year in, saying the clinic has exceeded their expectations and made getting VA care much easier for them.