Hawaii Health Care – A System With Aloha

Contemplating a move to Hawaii brings up many lifestyle issues, including health care.

Insurance aside, I am going to speak about the Malama (Care) aspect of health care here in the islands. Having just faced a major personal health issue, I know first hand how it goes here in Hawaii. From my first visit and check up with my primary care physician to my last stay in the hospital, I can honestly say it was a beautiful, comforting, and happy (yes, happy), experience.

In Hawaii, each individual is treated with care, compassion, respect and with the feeling of truly being a part of the Ohana (Family). The doctors, nurses, and technicians are professional, top of their field, and dedicated to their patients. Combining western and eastern medicine, along with traditional Hawaiian healing methods, the whole person is treated, mind, body and spirit.

I was offered ‘healing touch’ as I checked in to the Queen’s Medical Center for surgery. I happily accepted, knowing from my past family experience that it is effective in creating an energy field which compliments the hands of the surgeons. Healing touch left me with the feeling of deep relaxation and acceptance, knowing that I was being given the best care. This was just part of my experience. Each day brought someone new into my life and I kept saying, “Wow! They were even nicer than my last nurse, technician, or doctor,” hard to believe since they were all so amazing.

You know how it is when you go to a great restaurant and the wait staff, the manager, the food, and the ambiance all exceeded your expectations and you want to tell everyone about it and go back again? Well, that is just how my health care experience was here in Hawaii. I am not recommending hanging out at doctor’s offices or hospitals, it’s just good to know that you will have the best experience possible. People care, people talk story, and people are treated as aunties and uncles (a familiar Hawaiian term of endearment for friends, whether family or not). So, a resounding Aloha Malama to the people who provide health care here in the islands!

E Komo Mai,
Jan Nores, R(S)

P.S. Please call me to talk story and I will be happy to share!

“It’s a small world on the Big Island, please let me introduce you.”