Aloha 'Ohana! Happy 4th of July!
#bewell
#staywell
We're Nurtured by Nature...
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Did you know that psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time in nature can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition?
Yes - it’s true! Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.
So, on this holiday weekend, keep in mind that spending time with your family at the beach or park is not only a great way to connect with each other, but also a balm for our busy brains. Have fun out there!
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
Aloha ‘Ohana,
Did you know that 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline? While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. Learn more about the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
You can also call our staff at (808) 293-9231 for more information or if you need someone to talk to.
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Here is a copy of an upcoming article that will appear in the July edition of North Shore News!
How Art and Creativity Support Health
As we celebrate the Haleiwa Art Festival this month, Koolauloa Health Centers' chief medical officer, Dr. Daniel Lum reminds us that "art and creativity are important to well-being." Not only is being outdoors a stress reliever but focusing on art elements such as composition and lighting enhances mindfulness by forcing you to slow down and be in the present. As an avid landscape photographer, Dr. Lum believes, that "photography has given me an appreciation of the beauty of nature which has in turn given me an appreciation of the beauty of humans. I think that seeing beauty in each patient I touch has made me a better doctor. It also helps In times Of stress such as dealing when with a very sick child, or when improving the quality of care at Ko’olauloa happens more slowly than I would like it to happen. If you’re fishing out past Mokuleia on a moonless night and you see someone with a camera and a tripod. sav hello; it may well be me heading to Ka'ena Point to take pictures of the Milky Way.
While living in Hong Kong, KHC Nurse Practitioner Naty Hopewell studied under a well-known Chinese brush painter who used the Ling-nan method of painting to incorporate the impressionist style of painting with the Japanese and traditional styles of Chinese Brush painting. Naty says that it may not seem that art can relate to being a Family Nurse Practitioner but "it uses another aspect of my brain. I think the creativity required in art helps me be a more creative health provider, keeps me grounded, and prevents me from being overwhelmed in the care of my patients."
At KHC you can count on care that sees the whole person. We always accept new patients.
Call (808) 293-9231 for an appointment or to learn more about how we can help uninsured individuals.
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Did you know that our staff gets asked how we remain positive in the face of our constant challenges? The answer is that we are committed to our patients and remain hopeful for a positive future.
So What Is Hope?
Of all the thoughts and notions a person can have, hope is probably closest to trust. When you have hope, you are placing your trust in the potential for something positive to happen.
You are trusting that taking the right actions will make a positive outcome more likely than taking the wrong actions. When you hope for a better future, you are placing trust in yourself to make good choices in life.
When you trust someone, you hope that they will act in a way that embodies that trust.
Why Is Hope So Important?
Hope is a healer.
Hope helps us to see that there are many positive possibilities ahead of us. Hope whispers, “Things will get better.”
Hope shows us how to act.
Hope is a bit like an unseen compass that points us in the direction of something beneficial to our future.
Hope is a motivator.
Hope is a source of energy. It helps us to see something better up ahead and to put one foot in front of the other to move forward.
Hope encourages self-belief.
Hope not only helps you to believe that something better is coming, but it also gives you the belief that you are the person who can make that something better come true.
Hope combats negative thoughts.
It is difficult to have negative thoughts and be hopeful at the same time. Hope allows us to see light at the end of the tunnel and this light acts as a challenge to any unwanted thoughts.
Hope brings inner peace.
As with negative thoughts, hope can help ease negative feelings too. Hope allows joy, enthusiasm, and quiet contentment to grow.
Hope is contagious.
People want to feel hopeful. The more hope we have, the more hope we will inspire in others.
#bewell
#staywell
#hopeisdope
Aloha ‘Ohana,
Here are a few important COVID-19 vaccination and booster reminders.
Even if you feel healthy and young at heart, you should take steps to stay that way — like eating vegetables, wearing a seatbelt, and staying active.
Getting boosted for COVID-19 should be just another smart thing to add to your health checklist, especially with omicron’s contagiousness. (And even if you’ve had COVID in the past, it’s still a good idea to get a booster!)
Call (808) 293-9231 to schedule your appointment or visit: www.koolauloachc.org/covid-19-vaccinations to learn more.
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha 'Ohana - given today's events, here are a few very helpful words of wisdom from our friends at The Kū Project. All of us at Ko'olauloa Ko‘olauloa Health Center stand with you.
#thekuproject
#bewell
#staywell
#imua
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Some good news. The Hawai‘i Department of Health has announced long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines for keiki under the age of five will soon be available.
DOH is authorizing enrolled COVID-19 vaccination providers to administer the vaccines as soon as they become available.
DOH is expecting delivery of 27,500 doses of the new keiki vaccines in the coming week. The vaccines will be distributed to hospitals, pediatricians’ offices, and clinics. Pharmacies and community health centers will receive additional vaccine shipments directly from the manufacturers. Vaccines for keiki under five will be available on all islands.
“Vaccines continue to offer our best protection against COVID-19 and now keiki as young as six-months old can benefit from that same protection. Parents with questions about COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers for guidance,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.
Please call our friendly staff at (808) 293-9231 to schedule your child’s appointment or visit www.koolauloachc.org/covid-19-vaccinations for more information.
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Did you know that every person has a unique physiological make-up as well as nutritional requirements?
Nutritional Therapy uses nutrient intake and lifestyle changes to prevent and treat diseases like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression, and obesity. This treatment method can come in the form of IV therapy, medical food, and oral supplements.
Ko’olauloa Health Center has a Nutritional Therapy provider that is available to answer all of your questions about the benefits of Nutritional Therapy.
Call (808) 293-9231 or visit www.koolauloachc.org/nutrition-therapy to learn more or make an appointment.
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Our friendly pharmacy team is ready to serve customers looking for a convenient alternative to Foodland Laie’s closed pharmacy. Even if you are not a patient with us, you are still able to fill prescriptions at Ko’olauloa Health Center.
Unlike most retail pharmacies, Ko’olauloa Health Center makes medications affordable with a sliding scale for uninsured patients.
Ko’olauloa Health Center’s free consultation services by our friendly pharmacist include: medication reconciliation -- discussing each individual medication, what it is used for (indication), instructions for administration, how it works within the body, anticipated side effects and most importantly, possible interactions with other medications you might already be taking.
Ko’olauloa Pharmacy also offers their patients: shorter wait times for medications; one-stop convenience with the pharmacy co-located at Ko’olauloa Health Center’s Kahuku Clinic right next to the hospital; complimentary pill organizers and pill cutters; and of course personalized friendly service because at KHC you’re ‘ohana.
Ko’olauloa Health Center’s providers and pharmacists work as a team to keep you and your family well! If you live in Laie or Kahuku, come fill your next prescription with one of Ko’olauloa Health Center’s providers.
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha ‘Ohana,
Today reminds us of our incredible capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve.
#bewell
#staywell
Happy Father’s Day from all of us at KHC!
This Father’s Day we were touched by a beautiful letter from a father to his two young daughters. Here are a few excerpts:
~~~~
Every year, I make time to reflect on the promises, lessons, and ideas that I want my two young daughters to learn when they’re older.
This Father’s Day I wrote a short letter encompassing many of those things that I look forward to sharing with my kids one day:
Always look for opportunities to grow as an individual, in both your personal and professional lives.
Beyond family, there are broader cultural forces that will continue to shape your lives and world views, and I’m increasingly seeing the positive, amplifying role they can play.
I hope you’ll join these conversations - not merely to participate, but to grow. Seek out diverse perspectives. Find ways to educate yourselves.
The conversation will always be just the start.
Starting a conversation makes a huge difference. But taking action is the standard, in part because there are fewer barriers today. It’s so much easier to discover and support causes you believe in.
Amplify your voices, share your stories and listen to other people’s stories, too.
Understand the power of using your voice and sharing your stories. Welcome the opportunities to speak on panels and sit in on listening sessions to better educate yourself and those around you.
Be an ally to the communities around you, but also to yourself.
Have deep ownership of your identity. Your passion, energy, and commitment will make you an ally to all communities around you.
Don’t let your support for others overshadow the progress you want to make for your own community. Teach others, and yourselves, about the richness of your culture and history.
Find ways to proudly stand with- and stand up for - all in the broader Pacific Islander community. As with every dimension of your voice, the world will become a better place for hearing it.
Love always,
Dad
~~~~
#bewell
#staywell
Aloha ‘Ohana!
Did you know that Ko’olauloa Health Center has a board-qualified podiatrist/foot & ankle surgeon on staff?
Yes, we do! Dr. Day runs our podiatry department which offers diagnosis and treatment of all disorders in the lower extremity. Dr. Day’s professional interests include trauma, advanced foot and ankle reconstruction, podiatric orthopedics, sports medicine, diabetic care, and bunion correction.
Dr. Day believes in treating his patients like family, taking the time necessary to understand their needs. His patient-focused care allows him to work with his patients to achieve their specific goals while employing an evidence-based, yet individualized approach.
Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Dr. Day graduated from Kahuku High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He then pursued a Medical degree at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Following graduation, he completed a 3-year podiatric medical and surgical residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Mercy Regional Health Medical Center in Cleveland Ohio, where he trained under several leaders in the field of podiatric surgery and served as chief resident during his last year.
If you or someone you love is experiencing challenges with their lower extremities, give us a call at (808) 293-9231 or reach out via our website:
https://www.koolauloachc.org/contact
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
#walkwell
Aloha ‘Ohana,
Did you know that the American Dental Association says that every child should visit a dentist by age 1?
The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating, and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence.
The American Dental Association says that every child should visit a dentist by age 1 – or as soon as the first tooth appears. This “well-baby visit” teaches parents and caregivers how to care for their children’s teeth and help them remain cavity-free.
Learn more about proper keiki dental at Ko’olauloa Health Center.
koolauloachc.org/1st-year-1st-tooth
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
Aloha ‘Ohana,
Here are some words of wisdom from the wonderful people at @thekuproject.
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
#mana
Aloha ‘Ohana!
We love the posts by @growwithcolby. Here is one from his IG page that perfectly sums up the biggest lessons in life in 5 truths. If you haven’t done so already, go give Colby a follow right now. He’s consistently dropping high-value content on his feed.
What are a few habits you practice to stay mentally strong?
#bewell
#staywell
#livewell
#staystrong
Aloha 'Ohana!
June 11th is King Kamehameha Day in the state of Hawaii.
2022, marks 150 years since King Kamehameha V established the celebratory day as a way to honor his great grandfather who successfully united the Hawaiian Islands under one national banner and spearheaded their development as a country. In ancient Hawaii, legends told of a day when a great king would unite all the Hawaiian islands. The sign of his birth, kahuna (priests) claimed, would be a comet.
Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing more than 300 pounds Kamehameha was a great warrior, diplomat, leader, and the first king of Hawaii.
Take a moment today to celebrate this great historical Hawaiian figure.
Video: King Kamehameha Day celebrations - Kapa'au, North Kohala.