Dr. Marcus Iwane shares his experience from volunteering with Kaiser Permanente on MLK Day

A hot Monday morning on the windward side of Oʻahu cooled off from a slight breeze and sprinkle of rain.

Hōʻailona, or “a sign of something good to come,” is how Dr. Marcus Iwane described a recent loʻi workday at Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi. “It was a blessing to stop and enjoy the beautiful place that we live in with our colleagues as beacons for certain communities.”

“As a Native Hawaiian, I believe in a way of life called Aloha ʻĀina, or loving the land, and understanding the heart behind what we do,” he said. “In order for us to live healthier, we have to take care of the land that sustains us."

That same morning, he led cultural protocol with an oli and presented a gift offering. By the afternoon, he was repairing fences alongside family members, co-workers and friends.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i physicians and staff volunteered with Native Hawaiian nonprofits across the four major islands this week.

Iwane, who is the physician in charge for Kaiser Permanente’s Leeward Area and Māpunapuna Medical Office, said, “MLK Day is special because the work doesn’t end with just one day, so a lot of our folks build from previous year’s relationships with the organizations and continue to be part of their workforce throughout the entire year.”

This company-wide effort called the Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i Annual Day of Service is hosted by Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group, a practice consisting of over 650 physicians and providers, who care for its more than 260,000 members statewide.

“Our long-term partnerships with these dedicated organizations reflect our commitment to preserving Hawai‘i’s cultural and environmental heritage,” said Dr. John Yang, HPMG president and executive medical director, in a statement. “As we celebrate our medical group’s 65th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor this milestone than by volunteering alongside these incredible partners. Together, we’re not only restoring the land but also fostering a legacy of health, resilience and connection that supports the well-being of our community for generations to come.”

Iwane told Aloha State Daily, “Throughout my years with HPMG, I have participated with various sites, and each site has a very unique purpose. Being a part of a larger organization with a specific purpose is important for us to be able to understand how to best care for our members."

He added, "Connecting to a place gives you a sense of purpose and learning about your own history is an important tool.”

In addition to his ʻāina-based efforts, Iwane volunteers for grassroots organization Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana. He also spearheads community events at Kaiser’s West Oʻahu Medical Office in Kapolei where "the focus is on mentorship and building trusting relationships, not just with our community partners, but also with our school groups as students come help us maintain our garden space," Iwane said. "It reminds us that our health journey is not just physical – itʻs about the mental, the spiritual and the cultural connections that lead to resilience."

This year’s Annual Day of Service partner organizations on O‘ahu included Papahana Kuaola, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Paepae o He‘eia, The Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala Farm and Kalaeloa Heritage Park. On the Neighbor Islands, volunteers provided kōkua at Paeloko Learning Center, Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve in North Kona and Haleolono in Hilo, and the Waipā Foundation. 

For more information, visit kpinhawaii.org.

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.