Manakai O Malama — Local services in Honolulu

I’ve been a patient of Scott, a primary care provider, since 2021. Over the years, he saw me through some of the hardest chapters of my life — surviving narcissistic abuse, grieving the estrangement of my only child, and rebuilding myself emotionally and spiritually. At one point, he even told me he was proud of how far I had come.

That’s why I trusted him. That’s why I went back.

In our most recent visit, I caught him up on everything: how I’ve been feeding families in Gaza, managing deep grief, and doing my best to keep my business going. I told him I had taken myself off antidepressants because I’ve been doing better than ever — clear, grounded, and emotionally stable.

He told me he would refill my Adderall — which I’ve been prescribed since 2021 without issue — and simply asked that I follow up with psych when I had insurance. I agreed. I followed up with a respectful letter thanking him for his time and confirming our conversation.

A few days later, the medical assistant told me the Adderall would be sent to a different pharmacy that had it, while the other medications would go to the usual one. Everything was confirmed.

Then the story changed. I was told there was concern about prescribing two controlled medications. I responded immediately: I hadn’t even picked up the clonazepam. I’d already asked to reduce that dose months ago. I made it very clear: If needed, cancel it — I’ll manage anxiety with Benadryl or valerian supplements. But I needed the Adderall to function.

I said this calmly, clearly, and repeatedly: That’s why I came in.

Still — nothing. No refill. No communication. Weeks passed. When I followed up again, I was told I wasn’t even listed as being on Adderall, and that Scott had changed his mind — now requiring a psychiatric evaluation before a refill, contradicting what he had already told me.

In the meantime, I’ve been downing coffee and overloading on caffeine just to stay functional. I know it’s not healthy. It’s not sustainable. But this is what happens when providers say one thing and do another — when your care gets revoked without warning, even when you’ve done everything right.

I’ve never misused medication. I’ve taken myself off painkillers, antidepressants, and reduced my own benzo dose. I’ve done the work. I’m emotionally clear and grounded. I’m also a healer — known and trusted for my integrity and ability to guide others through trauma.

What I experienced here was discrimination and retaliation. I believe that when I spoke with confidence, emotional clarity, and political truth, I stopped being seen as someone to support — and became someone to control.

And the most painful part? Being told yes, then left in silence. Being left without the one medication I needed — while trying to survive on caffeine and fumes. Being made to feel like my strength was the threat.

If you are a woman in your power, a trauma survivor, or someone who refuses to perform weakness to be treated with dignity — be cautious. You deserve care that honors your healing. Not care that disappears when your truth becomes...

This is a hidden gem among health care facilities. More often than not, the resolution of a medical condition requires several different practitioners who are capable of working together to bring about the best possible results for patients. Here's a classic example. I suffered from PTSD and was living on adrenaline for a two year period. My brain and body were stuck in fight or flight mode and it wrecked havoc on me. I worked with an occupational therapist to help me change destructive habits, a psychologist to help me talk through and resolve the trauma, a nutritional therapist who helped me figure out how to replenish my depleted body and an acupuncturist to help calm my nervous system and allow it to remember its normal firing patterns. In four months, I felt my body shift from being an adrenaline junkie to normalcy. I was considering enrolling in the sleep study lab to address chronic insomnia but didn't need to go there. I had some residual issues with my body that were resolved through their in-house PT program. Dr. Levy has become my primary care doctor since he joined the staff a few years ago. I'm warming up to the idea that he is actually a brilliant diagnostician and a very wise and competent physician. When I trust his judgement, even though I have grumbled at times, wondering if he was actually listening to me, I am generally surprised to discover that his advice proves quite fruitful. I'm very happy with this place. It's comforting to know that so many medical issues can be addressed and resolved through their comprehensive and integrated programs. The office is centrally located with plenty of parking in the garage. The facility is very pleasant and welcoming. The wait in their comfortable reception area is generally short. It's a very popular and well liked facility, therefore phone calls might not be answered when the front desk gets busy. Call back; it's well worth the extra effort it occasionally requires to get through to one of their friendly...

UPDATE: Since writing this review, we have had to return to Manakai O Malama due to staffing issues at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience in order to get an EMG. Upon return, we learned that the staff mentioned below had been replaced. We have since had good encounters with both physicians and front desk personnel alike.

The power of patient testimonials ✊️

ORIGINAL: Simply terrible. Just plain awful. Where to start... Wife's 1st appointment was later in the afternoon. Arrived 45 minutes early and receptionist refused to check her in. Waited over an hour and a half, asking multiple times if her appointment was in the system. This was met with annoyance and contempt that the receptionist should be bothered to do her job. Eventually found discovered that she was in the "back" system but not the "front" system, and was told that it was now too late in the day to be seen and could not reschedule in person. Horrendous first experience should have been enough to know not to come back.

But, for the sake of chance she gave it another shot. Was called back and apologized to for the negligent service and rescheduled. Upon return to office, her appointment was supposed to be a 60 minute consultation as referred by her PCM. Dr. David Kaminskas came in, asked a couple general questions. He was not in receipt of any of my wife's records nor any information from her PCM. No questioning of her history of symptoms nor severity. No, he told her to "take magnesium and monitor your symptoms." When my wife inquired about the appointment being an in-depth consultation, he replied on his way out the door was "I have other patients to get to."

I have a great many opinions I would like to express about Dr. Kaminskas and my wife's experience at Manakai O Malama, but the story speaks for itself. Would never go back there. Would never recommend. Just an absolute appalling lack of concern or attention at all. But at least they got their $225...