HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	16
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

CONGRATULATING DR. JAMI FUKUI; SHON MORISHIGE, RN; KYLE OHISA, PA-C; DR. PARWATHI PANIKER; AND DR. LINDA WONG for BEING SELECTED BY THEIR PATIENTS AS 2025 HAWAII HEALTHCARE HEROES AND RECOGNIZING THEM FOR THEIR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE, LIFE-CHANGING CARE.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii has been the leading voice of healthcare in Hawai i since 1939; during a time of unprecedented change in healthcare, it is committed to working with providers across the continuum of care toward a healthcare system that offers the best possible quality of care to the people of Hawai i; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii incorporates over 170 member organizations, including acute care hospitals, public and private skilled nursing facilities, type II adult residential care homes, Medicare-certified home health agencies, hospices, assisted living facilities, and pharmacies across Hawai i; and

 

     WHEREAS, since its inception in 2014, the Hawaii Healthcare Heroes Program honors healthcare professionals who are nominated every year by patients and have provided exemplary and life-changing care to patients across the State; this program highlights the importance of healthcare workers and serves as an opportunity for patients to recognize and honor individuals who have rendered extraordinary care; and

 

     WHEREAS, a dedicated medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and clinical trials at Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children, DR. JAMI FUKUI exemplifies the highest standard of care through her steadfast commitment to her patients, embodying the spirit of a Hawaii Healthcare Hero; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. JAMI FUKUI's dedication to her patients was most evident when she delivered difficult and frightening news to Lynn Enright - that her mammogram revealed an aggressive form of breast cancer; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. JAMI FUKUI was a steady, reassuring presence during the hardest time of Lynn's life, providing guidance that went well beyond standard medical advice; and

 

     WHEREAS, as an oncologist involved in cancer research, DR. JAMI FUKUI is honored to help cancer patients like Lynn overcome the greatest of challenges and live productive lives; always humble, she credits her collaboration with the Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children, University of Hawai i Cancer Center, and University Health Partners of Hawai i for helping her succeed; and

 

     WHEREAS, a registered nurse at REHAB Hospital of the Pacific, SHON MORISHIGE embodies the full spirit and core principles of the Hawaii Healthcare Heroes Program by exhibiting unwavering resilience and fortitude on behalf of his patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, SHON MORISHIGE's dedication to his patients was especially evident in his work with Im Muller, who endured four spinal surgeries, septic shock in 2021, and diabetic ketoacidosis and pneumonia in 2022; and

 

     WHEREAS, throughout these severe hardships, SHON MORISHIGE consistently supported Im's recovery; helping her improve in a way others could not, his effervescent personality uplifts and inspires all who interact with him; and

 

     WHEREAS, being able to guide Im through some of the most challenging moments of her life reaffirms for SHON MORISHIGE the reasons he chose this profession; this reaffirmation reflects not only his own dedication, but also the collective efforts of the entire REHAB Hospital of the Pacific team who work tirelessly to support their patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a neurology physician assistant at Pali Momi Medical Center, Hawai i Pacific Health Medical Group, KYLE OHISA represents what it means to be a Hawaii Healthcare Hero, going above and beyond the call of duty when caring for patients; and

 

     WHEREAS, providing quality healthcare is a core mission and calling for KYLE OHISA, who has always aspired to give back to the community that nurtured him; his empathy and genuine concern for others fueled his care of Travis Masuhara, a patient who was born with a heart defect and has endured almost insurmountable challenges; and

 

     WHEREAS, under KYLE OHISA's attentive care, Travis, now 44 years old, is visibly healthier, more alert, and profoundly happier; each day, the Masuhara family expresses immense gratitude for KYLE OHISA's steadfast and compassionate care; and

 

     WHEREAS, KYLE OHISA affirms that healthcare is never a one-person effort, but a collaboration that requires the commitment of everyone involved in a patient's well-being; he remains deeply appreciative of Travis, the Masuhara family, and his team at the Pali Momi Neurology Clinic; and

 

     WHEREAS, a retired dermatologist for the Kaiser Permanente Kona Medical Office on Hawai i Island, DR. PARWATHI PANIKER's strong sense of empathy, superlative care, and dedication to her patients and their families have left an indelible mark on all she has helped, firmly establishing her as a Hawaii Healthcare Hero; and

 

     WHEREAS, highly skilled in Mohs surgery, DR. PARWATHI PANIKER treated Jill Peter's skin cancer, which extended well beyond what was visible on the surface of her face, and consistently demonstrated exceptional patient-centered care by making herself available whenever concerns arose, even during her busiest days; and

 

     WHEREAS, when Jill later faced multiple new skin cancers on her face and chest, DR. PARWATHI PANIKER thoughtfully addressed all the concerns at once, sparing Jill from multiple surgeries and ensuring a single, streamlined recovery; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. PARWATHI PANIKER credits the many quiet yet meaningful heroic acts of support from her colleagues and the Mohs team at the Kaiser Permanente Kona Medical Office, whose collective efforts helped create an environment in which she could deliver exceptional surgical care with kindness and compassion; and

 

     WHEREAS, a talented general surgeon and transplant surgeon at The Queen's Medical Center, DR. LINDA WONG's sense of empathy was reflected in the care she provided to Martin Tran, a patient who was diagnosed with an aggressive splenic mass; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. LINDA WONG immediately stepped in to provide the facts and reassurance Martin needed when he was experiencing one of the most frightening moments of his life; prior to surgery, she prepared Martin physically, medically, and emotionally and through patience and clear communication, she answered Martin's questions and explained the risks, leaving Martin feeling informed and safe; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. LINDA WONG did not simply perform a procedure, she saved Martin's life and restored his drive to move forward and overcome all of life's challenges; her actions embody the very essence of what it means to be a Hawaii Healthcare Hero; and

 

     WHEREAS, DR. LINDA WONG is honored and privileged to represent the many Hawaii Healthcare Heroes who work with equal dedication but do not always receive the recognition they deserve; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawai i, Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby congratulates DR. JAMI FUKUI; SHON MORISHIGE, RN; KYLE OHISA, PA-C; DR. PARWATHI PANIKER; and DR. LINDA WONG for being selected by their patients as 2025 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes, recognizes them for their unwavering dedication to providing compassionate, life-changing care, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Healthcare Association of Hawaii; 2025 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes