Complementary & Alternative Medicine of Oahu

08/30/2025

VAPIHCS Veterans,
Fall Prevention
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to protect yourself from falls. Falls are a leading cause of injury among Veterans, but many can be prevented with simple changes in your daily routine. Staying steady on your feet helps you stay independent, mobile, and safe. Here are a few quick tips you can start using today
• Keep walkways in your home clear of clutter and cords.
• Use night lights or keep hallways well lit.
• Wear sturdy shoes with good traction instead of slippers or socks.
• Take your time when standing up, especially if you feel dizzy.
These small steps can go a long way in protecting your health and preventing avoidable injury.

Standing Strong with our Veterans
September is Su***de Prevention Month, and I want to remind you that you are never alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it’s talking to a fellow Veteran, connecting with a provider, or calling the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, support is always available. Every life does matter, and your story is important to us.

In recognition of Su***de Prevention Month, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System will be hosting a special event on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic, 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707. This gathering will feature a special guest speaker and provide an opportunity for Veterans to learn more about the resources, programs, and services available to support overall well-being and quality of life.

We encourage all Veterans to join us for this important event. Su***de prevention is about more than crisis interventions, it’s about connection, support, and building a strong community.

Healthy Surroundings
Here in the Pacific Islands, we are blessed with ocean views, mountain trails, and communities rich in culture and tradition. Taking time to connect with these surroundings, whether through a walk, time with family, or moments of quiet reflection—can bring balance and healing. Whole Health is about more than medical care; it’s about finding strength in all aspects of your life. Talk to your provider to learn more about our Whole Health program.

Clinics Closed
As a reminder, all VA Pacific Islands Health Care System clinics will be closed on Saturday, August 30, 2025, and Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
Although thankfully in the Pacific Islands we don’t tend to experience the drastic climate shifts of other parts of the world, I’ve learned that seasonal changes carry profound lessons—if we are willing to listen to their hidden wisdom. Just like nature, our lives move to a rhythm of seasons. Today, I want to share three lessons that the seasons can teach us:

Seasons remind us of the power of timing
There is time for everything. What would be wise in one season may not be in the next. Wisdom is not merely about knowing what to do, but also when to do it. The season makes all the difference. Planting during harvest time wouldn’t be the most sensible idea; likewise, holding on when it’s time to let go could be more costly in the end. Recently, my car of 10 years began to fail. The mechanic listed the various repairs it needed, and I had to face the truth: pouring more money into it may not be worth the investment. As great as it was, it had served its purpose and now may be the time to let it go. There’s a time to fix and a time to release. Wisdom understands timing.

Seasons teach us the wisdom of limits
Wisdom accepts what cannot be changed and changes what it can. There are many things we can do, but wisdom discerns what we cannot. No one can rush winter into spring or hold back the rain from falling. Instead of resisting the seasons, wisdom invites us to cooperate with them—as unpleasant as it might be. Winter may feel barren, but it restores the soil and prepares it for spring’s harvest. Snow has been found to contain nutrients, serving as fertilizer for the soil. Every season, even the cold ones, has a hidden gift. What might feel like a cold season might be preparing you to bloom in the next.

Seasons show us the value of embracing change
No season lasts forever. This is both a comfort and a challenge. In hard times, it reminds us that today’s difficulties are often temporary, winter always gives way to spring, and night always breaks into morning. In good times, however, seasons warn us not to cling too tightly. No matter how sweet the moment is, life keeps moving forward. To cling too tightly to today is to miss the beauty of what can come next.
So, as we navigate the rhythms of our lives, let's embrace the lessons of each season, finding wisdom, strength, and meaning in every moment.

One Team, One Ohana!
Thandiwe Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

08/29/2025

⭐ Silver Helmet Civil Servant Award ⭐

Last week at the AMVETS National Commander’s & National President’s Banquet, AMVETS held the prestigious Silver Helmet Awards. We were honored to present the Silver Helmet Civil Servant Award to The Honorable Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes, Marion County, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida.

This award recognizes a dedicated public servant whose excellence, integrity, and leadership in civil service have made a lasting impact on our nation and in the lives of its people. Their commitment reflects the values AMVETS stands for: service, honor, and putting others first. 🇺🇸

Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes, a proud Marion County native, has dedicated more than 22 years to the field of law. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in criminal justice and sociology, as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Her distinguished career includes serving as Chief Assistant Public Defender, where she worked tirelessly to ensure fairness and justice in the legal system. A true pillar of advocacy, Judge Mackey-Barnes exemplifies integrity, leadership, and service which are qualities honored by the Silver Helmet Civil Servant Award.

08/09/2025

05/23/2025

05/22/2025

The 29th Chemical Decontamination Company, an all-Black unit that was the first of its kind, reported to Hawaii’s Schofield Barracks in June 1942. Trained to decontaminate men and equipment after a Japanese chemical attack during WWII, they were frequently outsourced as manual labor and tasked to spray for mosquitoes carrying dengue fever. Early May 21, 1944 the unit was called on to unload ammunition from a landing craft, tank (LCT) in the West Loch, even though they had not been trained for that type of work.

Whether ignited by dropped ammunition, a cigarette, or welding, the West Loch disaster destroyed 6 ships and nearly 600 men were killed or wounded, a third of whom were attached to the 29th Chemical Decontamination Company.

The West Loch Disaster would share many similarities to the Port Chicago disaster, which would occur only a short two months later, killing 320 more servicemembers loading and unloading ammunition.

Forty-four sets of remains are buried in 36 graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Initially, the tombstones read ‘Unknown,’ but now read ‘Unknown, West Loch Disaster, May 21, 1944.’ There is a plaque memorializing this unit at the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Regimental Room, located in the museum at Fort Leonard Wood.

Image: A historic black and white photograph of soldiers from the 29th spraying for mosquitos in Waikiki. US Army Signal Corps photo.

05/21/2025

VAPIHCS Veterans,

Its been a while since I last visited the Guam Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), so it was meaningful to be back on the island this week. I had the chance to connect with staff, walk through the clinic, and hear about the great work they’re doing to serve our Veterans.

I was especially grateful to spend time with our CBOC Chief, Dr. Kevin McDermott, and his outstanding team. It’s clear how much pride everyone takes in serving our Veterans, and that pride shows up in the care they provide every day. To the entire Guam team: thank you. Your commitment, compassion, and professionalism are making a real difference, and I’m proud to work alongside you. Keep up the great work—we see you, and we appreciate all that you do.

National Police Week
This week, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Police force held ‘Coffee with a Cop’ events at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic, the Community Living Center (CLC), and the Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). These events - done during National Police Week - were an opportunity for Veterans and staff to get to know our VA Police and learn about the work they do.

This week, we pause to honor the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers during National Police Week. VA has had its own dedicated police force in the continental United States since 1971. At VAPIHCS, we began establishing our own police force just last year, hiring our own police officers and support.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all officers—past and present—whose courage, compassion, and dedication make our communities stronger and safer. We especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. To all law enforcement professionals: thank you for your service. We stand with you in appreciation and respect – not just this week, but every day.

Hilo Community Call
VAPIHCS will hold a PACT Act Registration and Community Call event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 31, 2025, at the Prince Kuhio Plaza, 111 East Puainako Street, Hilo, HI 96720. The event will have member service representatives ready to enroll Veterans who have never enrolled or those who have become newly eligible under the PACT Act. Veterans who are seeking to enroll in VA health care for the first time are encouraged to bring a copy of their DD214. Veterans who are already enrolled are also welcome to join us for health services such as diabetic foot checks, vaccines, and blood pressure checks. All Veterans are welcome to join us to learn more about VA health care benefits.

VAPIHCS provides high quality, compassionate care to Veterans throughout the Pacific Islands, with sites of care in the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. The PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act is a law that will help VA deliver care for millions of Veterans — and their spouses or survivors — by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Veterans suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions. We are implementing the PACT Act now to deliver care and services for toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. Learn more about the PACT Act at our next event. For more information regarding VA health care in the Pacific, call us at 1-800-MY-VA-411 or 1-800-698-2411.

Veteran Owned Brew Cafe
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, our very own VAPIHCS canteen - The Brew Cafe, located inside the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic - celebrated its one-year anniversary. Previous VAPIHCS sites of care were not built with space for a canteen, but the Akaka clinic follows a newer design model that integrates areas for Veterans to socialize when they come for appointments. VAPIHCS staff are also able to purchase food at the new cafe, which is a Veteran-owned family business with a wonderful story behind it. The Bartolome family, who own the Brew Cafe, proudly serve their family’s coffee in our canteen, and we are grateful to have them serving our Veterans. Happy Anniversary to the Brew Café.
Read their story here: https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/the-brew-cafe-brings-kona-coffee-to-the-daniel-k-akaka-va-clinic/
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
There’s an old folk tale about a skillful stonecutter who spent his days cutting stone off a mountain. He was sought after in his community, as his stones were used for building homes and gravestones. One hot summer day, the stonecutter looked up at the sun as it shone proudly in the sky and thought, “How powerful the sun is! I wish I could be the sun!”

Magically, he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone and scorching the fields. But then a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, blocking his light from everything below. “How powerful that storm cloud is!” he thought. “I wish I could be a cloud!”

He became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages. But soon he found himself being pushed along by an even greater force, and realized it was the wind. “How powerful the wind is!” he thought. “I wish I could be the wind!”

He became the wind, blowing tiles off roofs, uprooting trees, and feared by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that could not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it—a huge, towering rock. “How powerful that rock is!” he thought. “I wish I could be a rock!”

He became a rock, feeling invincible against the hot sun and mighty winds, secure against the elements. But as he stood there, he heard a hammer pounding a chisel into his hard, rocky exterior and was confounded. “What could be more powerful than I, the rock?” he thought.

When he looked down, to his amazement, it was a stonecutter. At that point, he made his final wish; he asked to become a stonecutter once again. His wish was granted. But this time, he returned to his former role, with a smile on his face and deeper gratitude, because he now understood that the grass was not greener on the other side. He appreciated the difference he could make in the role he already had.

One Team, One Ohana!
Thandiwe (Tandi) Nelson-Brooks, MPH, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Stay Informed

Website: https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/
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Podcast: https://vapihcspao.podbean.com/

04/26/2025

Make sure you're dressed appropriately for a good time outside! It's highly likely that it will be muddy, so be sure you have proper footwear as wear. Please be sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray to protect from the elements ⛑️🏕🚜

04/06/2025