Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic Already Making a Difference

Completed on budget and on time, the $130 million, 88,675 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic will provide primary and mental health care, x-ray, laboratory and diagnostic services, a pharmacy, and specialty care for Veterans on Oʻahu, and Veterans throughout the Pacific Islands who come here for care. For the estimated 15,000 Veterans living on the west side of Oahu, this new clinic means much easier access to VA care. 

“You know how it is trying to get into town in the morning,” Army Veteran Alvin Akana said. “Then there’s the stress of going up the hill onto base. You have to make sure you have the right ID and are cleared to go there. Finding parking can be hard, too.” 

Alvin Akana was at the new Daniel K. Akaka VA clinic on its first day for a doctor’s appointment with Dr. Ricardo-Dukelow. He was accompanied by his wife of almost 50 years Sharon Akana, and his son Elroy Akana, who served in the Army and the Air Force before becoming a fire chief at Pearl Harbor. Elroy Akana is also a VA Patient, and he had an appointment with Dr. Ricardo-Dukelow right after his father. They both expressed gratitude at being able to be seen at the new clinic, because it’s much easier for them to get to than the Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). 

“The most important thing I want to say is that today isn’t about me or my dad,” Elroy Akaka said. “This is about all the folks who signed on the dotted line and served their country. They deserve to have an amazing place like this to come for their health care.”

The Akanas said that they were excited to be able to find parking so easily. The new clinic boasts 528 parking spots, 43 of which are reserved for disabled Veterans, and 19 of which can charge electric vehicles. However, there is also a valet service planned for the future, courtesy shuttles that will pick up from nearby housing areas, and the Veteran Transportation Service (VTS) which will pick up eligible Veterans from their homes and bring them to their appointments at the new clinic. 

“I love all the sitting areas outside,” Sharon Akana said. “People used to socialize outside the clinic at Tripler, but there wasn’t much space to sit and visit. This clinic feels more inviting, and like there will be more spaces for Veterans to sit and talk story.” 

Socializing is more important than medical science once understood. The VA’s own Whole Health program places a large emphasis on what they call “family, friends, and co-workers.” This is really just about recognizing the importance of connecting with other people and the importance of socialization on mental health. The Akana’s area close-knit family with a church they love and a supportive community, but not all Veterans are lucky enough to have so much support. That’s why being able to sit and talk with other Veterans when they come for their appointments can be so beneficial. 

“I was reading Senator Akaka’s biography since this clinic is named for him,” Elroy Akaka said. “I knew he’d done a lot for Veterans, but I had no idea how much he’d done for -not just Hawaiians- but everyone who needed an advocate. He even fought for Native American rights. He also talked about the “invisible wounds” of war like PTSD and TBI, and I think that’s so important because a lot of Veterans think that if they came back with all their limbs, they should be fine. The truth is, you can come back in one piece and still have wounds that no one sees.” 

The new Daniel K. Akaka clinic has mental health services, and VA offers a variety of therapies that have been proven to help with conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, there are also Chaplain Services and programs within Whole Health that can help address difficulties Veterans face when re-entering society after military service. For those who need an extra push to do  what they know is good for them, VA even offers health coaches who can help Veterans on their journey to being more mindful, make better health choices, and get motivation to access the help they need. 

“One thing I want to say to any Veterans out there who haven’t connected with VA services yet is that they need to come down here and talk to someone,” said Alvin Akana. “They think the VA is for old guys or guys who are worse off than them, but that’s not true. The VA is for all Veterans. If you served; you earned it. And, there’s some great programs and services that have really helped my family.” 

The Akana family had been getting care at the Leeward Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and at the Spark Matsunaga Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). Now, they will be able to get much of their care right in Kapolei, including pharmacy and laboratory services. There is also a Veterans Benefits office located inside the Akaka clinic, which allows Veterans to check on the status of claims when they come for their appointments. Soon, the new coffee shop called The Brew Café will also open. Towards the end of the year, the West Oahu Vet Center will also have an office located in the building. The facility is designed to service the Veterans on the Leeward side of Oahu now and into the future, with 88,000 square feet of space. 

“Seeing this clinic and how beautiful it is really makes me feel like the VA is listening to Veterans and what they need,” Sharon Akana said. “I love that it has native plants and solar panels, too. It’s nice to see the federal government responding to the concerns of Hawaiians when it comes to the environment.”

Sharon Akana shared that she has five children, 18 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one more great-grandchild on the way. She said that she wants the best life possible for them, so she is glad to see things like solar panels because it makes her feel hopeful for the future. She said that in the end, all that really matters is family and God, and because she is blessed to have a good church and a good family, all she needs now is for them to have a good future. 

If you would like to transfer your care to the new Akaka VA Clinic, please call 1-800-214-1306.