Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children

Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children holds a unique place in American history as the birthplace of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Obama was born there in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961. The hospital, which is one of Hawaii's leading medical centers for women and children, has served generations of island families and is well known as the site where the future president began his life

I used to choose this hospital because I received less attitude here and felt safer than at other facilities. Unfortunately, my most recent ER visit completely changed that. I came in during the early morning with unusual chest sensations and pain near my heart. I did not want to go to the ER, but I have moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia, G6PD deficiency, and Gilbert’s syndrome, so I was concerned. The hospital was quiet, yet once I passed triage, I was treated as though I had come unnecessarily. I explained to the nurse and doctor that I had recently discovered my iron deficiency had gone undiagnosed and untreated by multiple providers for years, which has made me understandably cautious and fearful in medical settings. Instead of listening and establishing trust, they repeatedly interrupted me, minimized what I was saying, and made me feel less confident about advocating for myself. When I asked whether Tylenol could affect blood testing, the nurse immediately told me it would not, without checking, after I told her I didn’t want it before the blood tests . I had already told her about my G6PD deficiency and concerns about red blood cell breakdown. She then dismissed the condition by saying it is commonly seen in babies in the ICU, even though G6PD-related reactions can cause serious complications. The doctor became irritated when I said there were additional tests I wanted to discuss if the basic labs were abnormal. He repeatedly interrupted me and said I was “reversing the roles” because he already had his own plan and tests he wanted to run. Their own patient-rights materials say patients have the right to ask questions, understand their care, and participate actively in decisions. This is my body. Wanting to understand the testing plan is not an attempt to become the doctor. The nurse also began explaining that hemoglobin standards change with age, which did not address my concern about longstanding untreated iron deficiency and abnormal blood results. I ultimately left before labs because I no longer felt safe trusting this team. I asked that my chart document that my testing request had been declined, but that was not added. Instead, they labeled my departure as “elopement.” I was not unstable, being detained, or told I could not leave. I made a conscious decision to leave before treatment was completed. More accurate documentation would have been “left prior to completion of visit” or “left before treatment complete.” Labeling it an elopement misrepresents what happened. I came seeking evaluation and transparency. I left feeling interrupted, dismissed, inaccurately documented, and less safe than when I arrived.

I'm from Florida. It's the best experience I've ever had in a hospital. I was only there for 3 hours due to a trauma after I came in. The dr came to my room to apologize and I was only in there for 30min. I was in CT within the hour. I asked the tech if I could have a copy and he delivered it to my room. This would never happen where I'm from. The service was so great. I tell people all the time. They already had my insurance info. The One page paperwork i had to fill out was so simple. They seem to already have my medical history already too. It still blows my mind.

Visited this hospital for an emergency, the doctors and staff took great care of us. Timely triaged and diagnosed. The rooms were clean and quiet. Great cafeteria as well. All in all saved us much thanks 🙏

Went in for dizziness, black spots in vision, and shortness of breath. Downstairs when checking in my BP was high. When being sent to L&D I told them my symptoms and how long they had been occurring. The doctors and nurses literally only talked to me and ran not a single test not even a urine test. They said your bp is good here and baby hr is good. I informed the nurse that my bp was high when they checked downstairs and that my OB had written in my file that I had elevated bp here and there at appts. She then made a scuffing sound as if she found it funny and didn’t believe me. I had been there for maybe an hour and was sent home with little to no reassurance. I felt rushed and saw no point on why they wanted a urine sample but never even took it. I had a few friends who gave birth at this hospital and was told they felt rushed to be induced and that the nurses were rude and didn’t care for them. My first time going to L&D I felt heard, but second time around felt like they didn’t care and wanted me out.