Ministry of Compassion
Pacific Health Ministry exists to serve the spiritual needs of patients, their families and friends, and staff in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Hawaii. We utilize the unique, multicultural makeup of Hawaii as a means to understand ministry.
In Hawaiian culture, the concept of “kukulu kumuhana” has special significance. It is the process of pooling together the spiritual, emotional and psychological strengths of the persons who are ill or in a special circumstance with that of family, friends and other concerned individuals to achieve a positive end.
Chaplaincy Services
Pacific Health Ministry Chaplains provide spiritual care and emotional support for patients, families and staff at healthcare-related organizations in Hawaii. Chaplains are clinically trained to offer compassionate spiritual care while respecting the individual’s faith tradition and religious or spiritual beliefs.
Chaplains are able to assist with
- Grief and loss
- Spiritual support
- Uncomfortable feelings
- Non-judgemental listening
- Sensitive use of religious texts and prayer
- Blessings, sacraments and religious rituals
- Family meetings with healthcare professionals
- Community clergy contracts
- Staff support and debriefing
- Discerning meaning in times of crisis
- Identification of inner coping mechanisms
- Support through ethical decision-making processes
Spiritual Care
We provide Spiritual Care Services at Hawaii’s major residential and healthcare institutions. Chaplains trained in crisis intervention, care for dying and grieving persons, and ethics are placed at a variety of institutions where they serve as part of the staff. We also provide spiritual care services in times of disaster.
Institutions Served

Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani
Chaplain David Hendrickson

Hawaii State Hospital
Chaplain Fabian V. Tafuna
Chaplain Scott Berggren

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Chaplain Russell Magsanide
Chaplain Leavitt Thomas

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children
Chaplain Bora Kim
Chaplain Utufa‘asili McDermott
Chaplain Kristen Mayeno

Kuakini Medical Center
Chaplain Ruth Peterson

Maui Memorial Medical Center
Chaplain Amy Crowe
Chaplain Jennifer Crouse

Pali Momi Medical Center
Chaplain Charles Card
Chaplain Nathan Kohashi

Straub Clinic & Hospital
Chaplain Grace Lee

The Queen’s Medical Center
Chaplain Aldean Miles
Chaplain Kudol Lee

The Queen’s Medical Center West Oahu
Chaplain Thomas Hong

Wilcox Medical Center