Director’s Message to Veterans Affairs July 5, 2024 | VA Pacific Islands Health Care

The 71st Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, we also honor the sacrifices and bravery of our Korean War veterans. This month marks the 71st anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, a pivotal moment in our history.

Please join us in honoring our Korean War heroes who served our great nation. We gather this month to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Korean War 71 years ago; the armistice ended hostilities, but it did not erase the memories of the battles fought, the comrades lost, and the families torn apart. We remember the frozen trenches, the scorched earth, and the unimaginable hardships they endured. We remember the sacrifices they made, the risks they took, and the triumphs they won. Their service was not in vain. Their bravery and selflessness defended the freedom, democracy, and rights we hold dear today. They are the true heroes of our nation’s history. More than 36,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice, and many more were wounded, injured, or suffered PTSD. They helped preserve South Korea’s independence and freedom, protecting its people from communist oppression, and represented the collective effort of nations to maintain peace and security, setting a precedent for future international collaboration.

Although often referred to as the “forgotten war,” they persevered and their contributions deserve to be recognized and remembered. Their legacy paved the way for future generations of service members, inspiring patriotism, duty, and selflessness. We honor them in gratitude for their selfless service, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Hawaiian Electric Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Program Launches July 1

Beginning July 1, 2024, Hawaiian Electric is prepared to preemptively shut off power to areas that appear to be at high risk for wildfires as part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. Customers are encouraged to prepare for emergencies and the possibility of extended power outages during periods of high winds and dry conditions. “This is our last line of defense to protect communities from the threat of wildfires. We understand that power outages can create hardship, so it is not something we take lightly. We urge customers to prepare for a PSPS the same way they would prepare for a hurricane or other hazard that could cause extended power outages,” said Jim Alberts, our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

You can confirm if you live in a PSPS area by viewing this interactive online map: PSPS Area Maps | Hawaiian Electric. If you live in a PSPS area and are medically dependent on electricity, HECO is asking all customers to update their contact information through the online Customer Service Center. Customers who use electrical medical equipment or refrigerate medications are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages. These customers should provide their contact information to Hawaiian Electric to receive notifications prior to a PSPS by submitting an online Medical Needs Communication Form. For more information, see Hawaiian Electric Launches Public Safety Power Shutoff Program July 1 | Hawaiian Electric.

Chaplain Jewel’s Reflections

That moment when…

In the early 19th century, a remarkable device called a camera was invented to capture and preserve visual memories that were time-stamped and had their own stories. With a simple click of its button and a flick of its shutter, this elaborately designed device redirects light bouncing off an object and creates an image of what that object looked like. For the first 100 years of the camera, the images it produced were printed on media such as paper or film. Today’s modern images are digital compositions of tiny picture elements called pixels. Cameras have become so widely used and popular that they are virtually everywhere, and it seems that everyone from toddlers to adults owns at least one. Cameras are in space, in the sky, on buildings and ceilings, along walls. They are found on vehicle dashboards, house doors, laptops, tablets, in toys and home decor, and if we have cell phones, they are in the palm of our hands. Some cameras are so technologically advanced that they capture precise images of fast-moving objects and even those that are thousands of miles away.

Just as cameras capture instant images of the objects they see, so do the minds and hearts of the many people we interact with. Their experiences are the shutter and our actions the button that snaps into memory images that can leave lasting impressions. What is captured in that instant is when a simple hello acknowledges a person’s presence, or when a kind gesture validates a person’s worth. It is that moment when a conversation conveys interest and inclusion, and when attentive listening amplifies the speaker’s voice. It is that moment when being fully present is a companionship journey, and a smile is as warm as the sun’s rays. Whether through the lens of a camera or through the eyes of people’s hearts and minds, images and impressions of us are constantly being captured. So why not go ahead and “smile, you’re on camera 😊”. They say that “Memories are the pictures we take with our minds, and they are the stories our hearts tell us.” (Unknown). Blessings and Mahalo.

One team, one Ohana!

Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MBA, CPE

Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health System

VADM, MC, USN, (RET) 36th Surgeon General, USN