Vol. 20, No. 1 State of Hawaii Office of Veterans’ Services Mar. 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs Expands Access to Care for Rural Hawaii Veterans Establishment of new Choice Program agreements which will allow Veter- Hawaii Veterans to take advantage of partnerships ans to seek care from these providers this opportunity to receive care closer through the Veterans Choice Program. to home through these Choice Program Honolulu, HI – The Veterans Admin- Hui No Ke Ola Pono on the island of partnerships,” said Director Wayne istration Pacific Islands Health Care Mau’i; Na Pu’uwai on the island of Pfeffer. System (VAPIHCS) today announced Moloka’i / Lanai; Ke Ola Mamo O’ahu agreements with Native Hawaiian on the island of Oahu; and Ho’ola La- VA looks forward to ongoing collabo- Health Care (NHHC) systems that hui Hawai’i on the island of Kaua’i are ration with NHHC Systems to ensure will greatly expand access to health now able to care for Veteran patients Veterans receive the timely, high-qual- care for Veterans living on the islands through the Choice Program. ity health care they’ve earned and de- of Hawaii using expanded authorities serve. from the Veterans Access, Choice, and “VAPIHCS is extremely appreciative Accountability Act (VACAA). This is of the dedicated support of the NHHC To learn more about the NHHC Agree- the latest in a series of VA actions to Systems and the Hawaii Congressional ments visit: http://www.hawaii.va.gov/ expand access to care through the im- delegation as we worked together to To learn more about the Veterans plementation of VACAA. expand access to care for our Hawaii Choice Program visit www.va.gov/ Veterans through the Veterans Choice opa/choiceact. Four NHHC systems have signed Program. We encourage our rural For further information on VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Contact Amy Rohlfs Public Affairs Officer [email protected] Website: http://www.hawaii.va.gov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ VAPacificIslands First page outside panel First Women Veterans Conference in Hawaii News release and pho- tos by VA Pacific Islands Health Care System HONOLULU — More than 170 women veterans from across the state gathered at Tripler Army Medical Cen- ter (TAMC), here, for the first Hawaii Women Veter- ans Conference, Nov. 14, 2015. Co-sponsored by the Hawaii State Office of Veterans’ Services, Vet- erans Affairs Pacific Islands Health business, Care System (VAPIHCS), and TAMC, succeeding the conference was organized by the in the civil- sub-committee of women veterans un- ian business der the Governor’s Advisory Board on world, finan- Veterans’ Services. cial planning and veteran “The conference is the beginning of a benefits both conversation and networking effort to from the VA reach out to Hawaii’s women veter- and commu- ans,” said Ann Greenlee, State Direc- nity service tor, Hawaii & Guam Veterans’ Employ- providers,” she added. and when needed,” Greenlee contin- ment & Training Service. ued. “We want Hawaii’s women veterans “Our goals are to provide information to know about the benefits they have A highlight of the conference was a and assistance on Veterans Affairs earned and to also understand that there proclamation from Gov. David Ige (VA) health services, starting your own is a network available to assist where making Nov. 14, 2015 Hawaii Women Veterans Day. Sen. Mazie Hirono and a representa- tive for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell also provided opening comments, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, an Army veteran, was the keynote speaker. VAPIHCS Nationwide, women veterans totaled approximately 2.02 million. In Hawaii, there are more than 14,000 women vet- erans; however, only 4,300 access their benefits and health care through the VA Pacific Island Health Care. Participants enjoyed lunch provided by VAPIHCS as they visited more than For information on Women’s Health 50 exhibits featuring information and resources specifically for women vet- Care, call 855-VAWOMEN (855-829- erans. Other topics included mammograms, flu shots and yoga which were 6636) or visit www.womenshealth. available in the morning before the afternoon workshops at TAMC. va.gov/ First page inside panel Update your information for the Hawaii Veteran Newsletter Yes, I would enjoy a FREE copy of the Hawaii Veteran Newsletter. Cut out and mail responses in a Please add me to your mailing list. You do not need to send this stamped envelope to: portion in if you are currently receiving the newsletter. Update information, change my old address to my new address Office of Veterans’ Services ATTN: HI VETERAN NEWSLETTER No thanks, Please remove me from your mailing list. 459 Patterson Road E-Wing, Room 1-A103 Old Address New Address Honolulu, HI 96819-1522 Or email us at: [email protected] Email: Choice Program Agreements with Native Hawaiian Health Care System BACKGROUND on the island of Kaua’i are now el- island of Oahu; and Ho’ola Lahui On August 7, 2014, President igible Choice Program providers. Hawai’i on the island of Kaua’i. Obama signed into law the Veterans Veterans in Hawaii can choose to Access, Choice, and Accountability use the Choice Program to see pro- Q: Are all Veterans who live in Act of 2014 (“VACAA”). Section viders in these 4 systems. Veterans Hawaii eligible for the Veterans 103 of the Choice Act directed the must obtain preauthorization for Choice Program? Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) care through the Program by calling to enter into contracts or agreements 1-866-606-8198. A: All Veterans who are enrolled in with Native Hawaiian Health Care VA health care and live in Hawaii systems for the reimbursement of are eligible for the Veterans Choice direct care services provided to el- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Program. igible veterans as specified in such Q: How do these agreements with contracts or agreements. NHHC expand access to care for Q: How do Veterans access the Vet- Veterans? erans Choice Program? SUMMARY As of September 1, 2015, VA has A: These agreements allow Veterans A: Veterans must call the Choice entered into agreements with Na- to seek health care from providers at Program Call Center at 866-606- tive Hawaiian Health Care (NHHC) these four NHHC systems through 8198 to confirm eligibility and make systems that will greatly expand ac- the Veterans Choice Program. an appointment for care. cess to health care for Veterans liv- ing on the islands of Hawaii using Q: Which NCCH systems have For more information including expanded authorities in Section 103 agreements with VA? Frequently Asked Questions visit of VACAA. Hui No Ke Ola Pono www.va.gov/opa/choiceact. on the island of Mau’i; Na Pu’uwai A: The four systems are: Hui No Ke on the island of Moloka’i / Lanai; Ola Pono on the island of Mau’i; Na Ke Ola Mamo O’ahu on the island Pu’uwai on the island of Moloka’i / of Oahu; and Ho’ola Lahui Hawai’i Lanai; Ke Ola Mamo O’ahu on the Middle inside panel Photo from Edward Kawamura Kauai Veteran’s Day 2015 Gabriel Cataluna, 102 years old and Monte Nishie, 100 years Photo by Stephen Lum old WWII Veterans with Major Tulsi Gabbard, Afganistan The Neal S. Blaisdell Center War Memorial, Veteran and Keynote Speaker at the Kauai Veterans Ceme- honoring those who served in WWII and the Ko- tery. rean War was rededicated Nov. 10, 2015, on the grounds of the center fronting the concert hall. Photo from Lyndie Michioka On Nov. 1, 2015, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Inter-Faith Service had a Veterans Appreciation Service. The ser- vice honored all veterans and their families. Veterans were recognized and enjoyed a free lunch. Delbert Nishimoto was the keynote speaker. There were about 200 people in attendance. Christmas Candlelight Vigil on Dec 24, 2015 A solemn and memorable gathering of veterans to remember and honor comrades who died in Vietnam so many years ago. We also remember those who brought their injuries home, to begin lives anew, to help build our commu- nities and Nation, and who walk among us as brothers and sisters. It was a moving moment for many especially for those who had never attended this gathering before. Grateful comments were expressed and hugs were plentifully shared. Hawaii Veteran Vol. 20, No. 1 Mar. 2016 Last page inside panel Lt. Gov. Tsutsui at HSVC Veterans Day Ceremony U.S. Military Leaders Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui giving the Vet- erans Day Address Kahu Manu Mook Kahu Kekapa Lee This past Veterans Day theme was “Veterans: A Lifetime of Service.” Girl Scout Ms. Mia Shelbourne Therefore, we featured all of the veterans who volunteer their time to sang the National Anthem, Ha- our Veterans and Memorial Day Ceremonies and their work in com- wai’i Pono’i and America, by munities across the state. Kahu Kekapa Lee, Kahu Manu Mook and Dustin James. the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch & Unit #46 provided exceptional support to our veterans. Fleet Reserve Association, Branch & Unit #46 Photos by Jayme Nagamine Senator Brian Schatz, Wreath Bearer, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Arthur J. Logan. Gov. David Y. Ige PRESORTED Commander in Chief Office of Veterans’ Services STANDARD State of Hawaii US POSTAGE 459 Patterson Road PAID Maj. Gen. Arthur J. Logan E-Wing, Room 1-A103 HONOLULU, HI The Adjutant General Honolulu, HI 96819-1522 PERMIT #1023 Col.-R Ronald P. Han, Jr. OVS Director Jayme Nagamine Editor/Layout http://dod.hawaii.gov/ovs Email: [email protected] (808) 433-0420 (OVS) (808) 433-0385 (OVS fax) (808) 733-4258 (DoD) Hawaii Veteran Newsletter (808) 733-4236 (DoD fax) State of Hawaii Department of Defense The Hawaii Veteran Newsletter is funded and published by the State of Hawaii, Office of Veterans’ Services.