Retiree News

Thank You for Your Trust

I want to say thank you. I am grateful that you continue to choose VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) to provide you with your medical care. Every time you share your feedback—through a survey (like VSignals or the Survey for Healthcare Experience of Patients (SHEP), with a patient advocate or your clinical team, or at a community event—it helps us do better. I listen, my team listens, and together we learn how to serve you more effectively.

At the center of everything we do is you—the Veteran—and your families and caregivers who stand with you every day. You are the reason we are here. Serving you is not only our responsibility, but also our honor.

National Recovery Month

This September, we observe National Recovery Month, and I want to take a moment to recognize the courage and determination of Veterans who are on their recovery journey. Recovery can take many forms, whether from substance use, trauma, or other challenges, and every step forward is a powerful act of strength.

At VAPIHCS, we are committed to supporting your whole health – body, mind, and spirit. We are here to walk with you, to provide care that is built around your goals, and to help you find healing and hope in your own way. Call us to make an appointment and to learn more about our services: 1-800-214-1306.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is also Suicide Prevention Month, and I want to be clear—your life matters, and you matter to us. Our “Be Safe: Prevent Self-Harm” initiative is a reminder that all of us, together, can help build a community where Veterans feel safe, supported, and connected.

I know that sometimes it can be difficult to reach out, but I encourage you to do so if you ever find yourself struggling. You can connect with your health care team, talk with a fellow Veteran, or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (Press 1) any time, day or night. Having those conversations and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. I believe in you, and I want you to know—you are never alone.

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

Imagine, for a moment, sitting in your living room and noticing a tiny dark stain on the ceiling. It doesn’t look like much, just a faint watermark. But that little drip, if left unattended, has the power to damage the structure of an entire house!

A roof leak, just a tiny drip from the ceiling, might look like a small problem, but contractors understand unless that tiny drip is addressed in a timely manner, what initially seems to be just a slight annoyance can render an entire home unlivable.

Water is relentless; it finds paths, seeps into cracks, and spreads quietly. Before you know it, a home’s wooden beams can begin to rot, weakening the home’s structure. Moisture trapped in the ceiling and walls becomes a breeding ground for ever-spreading mold, electrical wiring becomes compromised, and if excessive water saturates the soil underneath a foundation, even the foundation of a home can crack over time. A home may have to be completely gutted or condemned just because of a “harmless” leak that was neglected.

Although I truly hope none of us have a leaky roof to worry about, I’ve found, through the years, that there’s another kind of “leak” that can be just as draining—the leak of complaining.

Complaining is different from providing constructive feedback. Constructive feedback points out real problems with the intent to remedy them and work towards improvements, but complaining simply points out what’s wrong without investing in contributing to the solution. Chronic complaining can be like a slow drip from a leaky roof. It slowly erodes the structure of relationships, drains morale, chips away at the foundation of a team, and can turn even small decisions into moments of high friction. Complaining is like pointing out a leak in your roof and walking away; constructive feedback sees the leak and suggests ways to patch it up.

Let’s commit to being those who “patch up” the problems we see, focusing on being solution-oriented and building up those around us. 

---

The State of Hawaii, Department of Defense (HIDOD)’ Retiree News does not endorse any of the external hyperlinks listed or posted on this site. This includes linked websites, information, products, or services contained therein. We are a government run website for which transparency and accountability are paramount. HIDOD cannot have the appearance of endorsement and are bound by the HIDOD Social Media Policy concerning political posts being respectful, honest, and accurate. Operational Security will additionally be adhered to. Retiree News does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at linked sites. Some of the sites linked to may limit the number of stories you can access without a paid subscription. All links were provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the HIDOD’s version of Retiree News.