Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home

Groundbreaking ceremony for state’s second State Veterans Home conducted on Memorial Day

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office | Story by Jeff Hickman | Monday, May 31, 2021

KAPOLEI, HI – Gov. David Y. Ige, City and County of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, State Adjutant General, family members of the late Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, a small number of community members, and a Veteran from each war era were on-hand to break ground for the new Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (SVH) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony included comments by the governor, Maj. Gen. Hara, the Akaka Family, a spokesperson from Nan Inc., and a groundbreaking ceremony and blessing performed by Kahu Kordell Kekoa and Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr.

Construction of this new 120-bed facility is scheduled to be completed in April The project was awarded a $44.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and appropriated $53.7 million in state funds for planning, design, construction, and equipment.

The facility will incorporate sustainable and energy efficient features such as: roof overhangs, sunshades, high performance glazing to reduce solar heat gain, energy efficient air conditioning system, desuperheaters for hot water heating, LED lights, occupancy sensors, reclaimed non-potable recycled irrigation water, and native, drought tolerant plants.

The Akaka SVH will offer skilled nursing and intermediate care facility beds to provide long-term care services plus geiatric mental health/dementia/ Alzheimer’s care, rehabilitation therapies, hospice, respite and adult day care. This Kapolei facility will target both long-term and short-term stay Veteran populations, eligible spouses and Gold Star parents.

The home will be open to all Veterans residing in the State of Hawaii. Approximately 85,000 Veterans reside on Oahu, and the construction of our second Hawaii State Veterans Home in Kapolei will offer closer proximity of care to the largest number of resident Veterans.

Hawaii will still be 53 beds short of the 268 total State Veterans Home beds needed for the state, but upon completion, the Akaka SVH will more than double the state’s current capacity

– 2021 Spring Pupukahi pp. 3

Developing Artwork for Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home

Story by Thomas M Driskill Jr, COL, USA, MSC (Ret), Healthcare Coordinator, Office of Veterans’ Services

In 1967, Hawaiʻi became the first state in the nation to adopt a percent-for-art law with the enactment of the Art in State Buildings Law, which designated one percent of construction costs of new buildings for the acquisition of works of art, either by commission or purchase. The purpose of the law was to beautify and humanize our state buildings and increase public access to the arts. In 1989, State Legislature of Hawaiʻi created the Works of Art Special Fund, expanding upon the provisions of the Art in State Buildings Law to include having works of art available to all state public places.

Specifically, in addition to sources of revenue such as grants from the “National Endowment for the Arts,” a special fund was created into which there is a transfer of one per cent of all state fund appropriations for capital improvement appropriations that are designated for the construction or renovation of state buildings. The statutory authority for the Works of Art Special Fund is found in chapter 103-8.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The oversight agency for the special fund is the State of Hawaii Foundation on Arts and Culture (SFAC). The SFCA is administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS).

Since the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (DKA SVH) construction project is a participant in this funding for art transfer process, Ron Han, Director, Office of Veterans Services (OVS), State of Hawaii Department of Defense (DOD), exercised his position in concert with DAGS leadership to set up a DKA SVH Team Leader meeting with Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director, SFAC. Purpose of the meeting was to seek approval by the Board of Commissioners, SFCA for the DKA project to participate with SFCA in an art development program.

The chronology of events following Director Han’s initial initiative follows:

• Aug 5, 2021: Kick-Off Meeting w Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director, SFCA and DKA SVH Team Leaders via VTC. Project details were discussed and request for SFCA project approval was initiated.
• Aug 12, 2021: Notice received that the Board of Commissioners, SFCA, had approved the initiation of an Art in Public Places (APP) project for DKA SVH. Purpose of the project was to select a location, define the medium and theme of the work of art, and recommend an artist for commission and project completion
• Sep 15, 2021: Director Han proposed DKA SVH ACC composition to Board of Commissioners, SFAC for consideration/approval.
• Sep 27, 2022: Notice received that Director Han’s recommendation for DKA SVH AAC composition had been “officially” approved.
• Nov 19, 2021: First DKA SVH ACC Meeting conducted via VTC. Kamakani Konia, Art in Public Places (APP) Project Management, Arts Program Specialist appointed as SFAC Project Manager, assigned to lead the committee through the entire art development process with assistance as needed from other key SFAC staff. Following SFAC protocol, Kamakani led the committee toward a full understanding or the art development process and associated committee responsibilities. The committee came up with several different ideas on the type of art that would best fit this project. Throughout all discussion, the concepts of “Mountain to Sea” and “Mana” were held foremost in everyone’s mind.
• Jan 12, 2022: Second DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC with Kamakani Konia. During this meeting, Kamakani facilitated the committee decision process using SFCA project protocol to determine what kind of exterior art was best suited for new facility as well as location for the art. After lengthy discussion and evaluation, the committee decided to commission two murals, each with three panels, on the two-story corners of the facility facing both the parking lot and the facility entrance.
• April 28, 2022: Third DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC. SFCA staff developed a list of 10 potential artists who, based upon their past projects, could deliver the work of art the committee desired to commission. Following an individual Artist Portfolio Review, the committee selected three artists for live, real-time, VTC interview and further consideration.
• May 18, 2022: Fourth DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC. The committee interviewed the three final artist candidates, then selected one, above all others, to be the best possible artist to complete a commissioned work of art on our new facility. The artist selected was Kaiʻili Kaulukukui with assistance from his spouse Angela Arvai. Kai was born and raised on Oahu and is a graduate of University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he met his spouse Angela Arvai, from Hungry who was also studying at University of Hawaii, Manoa. Kai was in the construction business for about ten years after graduation from University of Hawaii, Manoa, before he because a full-time professional artist. His construction experience actually gives him an “assist” in this major construction project in concert with his artistic expertise. Kai and Angela now reside on the Big Island which serves as their home base for projects they now complete on a world-wide basis.
• Aug 18, 2022: Fifth DKA SVH AAC In-Person Meeting at DKA SVH construction site with Kaiʻili Kaulukukui and Angela Arvai via VTC from Budapest, Hungry. The committee congratulated Kai and Angela on their selection to complete a most special work of art for DKA SVH and then discussed some basic details. Following the VTC with Kai and Angela, the committee walked the ground to review the plans that were being developed.
• Oct 14, 2022: Sixth DKA SVH ACC meeting In-Person at DKA SVH construction site with newly commissioned artists Kai and Angela. Prior to this meeting, Kai had signed the commissioning contract with SFCA and SFCA was in the process of obtaining various required state contract approvals. No concern was expressed over contract approvals, just a need for all to exercise patience as the approval process proceeded. Following this administrative discussion, Kai, Angela and the committee walked the ground together looking at every aspect of the art that is being considered. We collectively agreed that multi-dimensional murals would be best, perhaps using various pieces of colored glass as the primary medium and the ability to light the murals at night. Additional mural locations were discussed but primary emphasis was placed on the two-story corners facing the facility parking lot and front entrance, each with three panels keeping both “Land to Sea” and “Mana” foremost at all times. After these discussions, the committee turned over the further administration of Kai’s commission to Kamakani and the initial development of artist envisioned renditions directly to Kai and Angela.

Development of fine art takes time. It simply cannot be hurried. Thus, we look very much forward to hearing from Kai and Angela again, but we will hear from them on their own timeline in concert with their professional artistic ideas. We will keep everyone posted as this art development process continues.

Please allow me to finish this article by expressing most special thanks to all DKA SVH ACC members for their dedication and diligent work, to SFCA staff for their tremendous support and to our own DKA SVH leadership group, including our Oahu Regional Healthcare System, HHSC, leadership, for their continued involvement and guidance in this unique work of art project!!!

– 2022 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

On Mar. 27, the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (DKA SVH) held its grand opening. The home is located at 91-1204 Kealanani Ave. This 120-bed facility is located on seven acres and will provide post-acute care and rehabilitation services. This home is appropriately named after the late Hawaiʻi Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka. He championed veterans’ rights and expanded GI Bill benefits. Akaka worked to improve lives and foster mutual respect, a legacy that continues in his name. The OVS has been working on this project for over 15 years to gather support from the Legislature, obtain funds, find the land to place the home and so much more.

– 2025 Annual Report pp. 57-58

Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (DKA SVH)

On June 30, 2023, Pursuant to SLH 2022 Act 285, ownership and operational oversight responsibility for DKA SVH passed from State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense to Oʻahu Region Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation (HHSC). Following a definitive request for proposal process, ‘Ohana Pacific Health was selected as contract manager for DKA SVH. The facility was deemed 100% complete and facility responsibility was passed from Nan Inc, the construction contractor, to Oʻahu Region HHSC on Aug. 1, 2024. In the fall of 2024, ‘Ohana Pacific Health began to hire staff, train on equipment and develop standard operating procedures in preparation for upcoming licensure and certification surveys. On Jan. 21, 2025, DKA SVH received State of Hawai’i Longterm Care licensure. On Feb. 4, 2025, the first patient was admitted. On Mar. 26, 2025, Green dedicated both the DKA SVH and “The Ron Han Room” inside DKA SVH. Members of both the Akaka family and the Han family were present for the dedications as well as a host of State and County dignitaries. On May 15, 2025, the facility passed the VA SVH Recognition Survey (allows payment of daily VA per diem for veteran patients). On Jun. 30, 2025, the facility passed the center for Medicare and Medicaid Survey (which allows reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid for services rendered to all DKA SVH patients). As of June 3, 2025, there were 20 patients in DKA SVH. ‘Ohana Pacific Health continues to ramp up staff in sync with growing patient census.

– 2025 Annual Report pp. 58

Handmade quilts add warmth to Veterans’ rooms

Wayne and Evelyn Kajiwara have been in contact with the Office of Veterans’ Services’ Tommy Driskill, Healthcare Coordinator, offering to provide the Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home (DKA SVH) with 120 handmade lap quilts for the Veterans who come to stay in the home. “Wayne and Evelyn Kajiwara had made a truly magnanimous gesture in that Wayne provided all supplies and Evelyn personally sewed each of the 120 lap quilts herself,” commented Driskill.

The Kajiwaras delivered the quilts the first week of February 2025 and displayed some of the quilts for the DKA SVH staff. The Kajiwaras hope a quilt will be placed in each room to make every Veteran or spouse feel warm and more at home. The staff placed the quilts on beds during the grand opening ceremony and tour of the DKA SVH on March 26, 2025. The quilts added color and warmth, and made each room look unique.

The first Veteran patients were accepted on Feb. 4, 2025. The home has started with six veterans , with plans to add a few more every month. The DKA SVH staff will ramp up in sync with the increasing of patient enrollment.

The state-of-the-art 120-bed, 130,000 square foot, two-story facility is built on seven acres of land on Kealanani Avenue in Kapolei, Oahu. This facility will offer both long-term and short-term rehabilitation stays for eligible Veterans, Veterans’ spouses, and Gold Star parents. Additionally, the DKA SVH will be monetarily self-sustaining, providing over 150 healthcare related jobs and many student training opportunities with the University of Hawai‘i West, local high schools as well as other healthcare training entities here in Hawaiʻi.

– 2025 Pūpūkahi | Volume 55 | No. 2 pp. 9

Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home dedication ceremony

The Dedication Ceremony for the Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home in Kapolei was held on March 26. Gov. Josh Green, the Late Senator Akaka’s Ohana, former State of Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services Director, Ron Han’s Ohana all spoke at the event and shared about the dream becoming a reality. The home will serve Hawaii’s Veterans for years to come. Earlier that morning, a the Ron Han Room was dedicated and a plaque was unveiled. Gov. Green and Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan joined the Han family for the ceremony commemorating Col. Han for all of his efforts making the state veterans home a reality. Guests were able to tour part of the facility after the event was over.

– Photos by Master Sgt. (Ret) Andrew Jackson, State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense Public Affairs

– 2025 Pūpūkahi | Volume 55 | No. 2 pp. 10