A Letter From Dr. David Derauf

To our KKV ʻOhana:

When I think of one word to describe this year at KKV, it would be “innovative”. I am in awe of how we look to the future with new and exciting modes of care but also manage to stay grounded in our founding values. I am filled with so much renewed hope for KKV’s path forward and for how we can serve Kalihi in ways some might not imagine. 

From Medical Services to Elder Care to our Roots food hub, there is much to celebrate this year. Our teams continue to find new ways to serve our community and do cutting edge work. We are having an influence beyond just our organization and even beyond Kalihi.  

This year, KKV was fortunate to be one of the first organizations to take part in AlohaCare’s ʻAi Pono Program. The program provides eligible AlohaCare members access to traditional, cultural and spiritual ways of health and healing, including access to free cultural produce and meals, lomilomi sessions, and laʻau lapaʻau prescriptions—all of which were covered by their AlohaCare health insurance. 

The work that we do also addresses the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). From transportation to literacy issues to communication, our community faces many barriers to care and good health among our Kalihi neighbors, but we strive to close those barriers by filling gaps of our community’s needs. KKV continues to carve out a model of health that takes place beyond the doctor's office through our innovative work.  

We continue to serve many generations in our community. KKV Medical Director Dr. Laura DeVilbiss shared a story with me about a baby she recently delivered. The baby was the fourth generation in a family that she has cared for more than 20 years. Full circle moments like this remind us of how our efforts carry on into the future.  

As we look to 2025, we continue to remember what has driven us for 52 years. How can we honor the path that we were set on, but also look to new and innovative ways in this new year? That’s what we are proud to do here; stay on course with what super aunties taught us but also evolve to better provide for our community. As 2024 comes to an end, I am filled with gratitude for our ‘ohana and immense hope for KKV’s future. 

With love from all of us,