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Aloha and welcome to 2024 with the Hawaii Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society!

This year holds great potential for our members and the oncology community. We have several new additions to the Board of Directors, and a great selection of engagement opportunities.

I’m excited to be embarking on my term as President of the Board. I’ve been a long-time member of the ONS and the former Treasurer. I have been a long-time member of the ONS Conference planning committee and am myself a former Mana’Olana Award Recipient. My experience has shown me what value the Hawaii ONS chapter brings to the community, and on behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to continue the work of supporting our local oncology nurses and patients. 

Joining me this year are new board members Ali Alfaro (Treasurer), Diane Bolosan (Secretary) and Carl Pitre (Director-at-Large, Oahu).  We are fortunate to have continuing their service, Carrie Hovland (Director-at-Large, Kauai), Julie Leach (Director-at-Large, Hawaii Island), Rachel Thelen (Director-at-Large, Maui), Kristen Thompson (Director-at-Large, Oahu), Lori Conley (Past President/Dinner Programs) and Stephanie Guy (Nominations).  We also have a few nominated positions, Tara Vaughn (Web Master/Social Media), Carol Kotsubo (Archivist) and Julie Sestak (Dinner Programs).  This is the group that makes ONS Hawaii work!

Each year the ONS works hard to offer a comprehensive selection of events to enrich and grow our membership. This year we are glad to be offering multiple educational dinners and continuing education (CE) options. Another welcome addition to our schedule will be Oncology Advance Practice Provider focused dinners to engage our oncology APRN community. The pinnacle of our calendar of events, as it has been in the past, is the annual ONS Conference, to be held at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko’ Olina. This year’s conference will be filled with presentations from thought leaders from around the country and from our local community. It also gives us all the chance to interact with our industry supporters.

Growing our membership is something we on the board are all committed to. ONS membership indicates a commitment to being a true oncology professional. Please connect with us! Reach out to the board and other members to let us know how we can serve you. And let those new to the islands know about this wonderful group of dedicated oncology professionals. We look forward to working with you all and advancing oncology nursing throughout the islands.

Thank you and Aloha,

Dee Ann Omatsu, MS, APRN, PNP-BC, AGNP-BC, CPON, AOCNP

President, ONS Hawaii Chapter

The 50th Anniversary of ONS is in 2025, next year! Joanne Itano and Ryan Iwamoto are on the National ONS 50th Anniversary Committee and want to ensure that the experiences of oncology nurses through the years in Hawaii are represented in the national celebration.

Recently, past leaders of oncology nursing in Hawaii met to discuss thoughts, memories and accomplishments about cancer nursing and ONS for the 50th anniversary coming up next year. 

There is a Zoom meeting for those who were unable to attend and would like to contribute to the discussion for the anniversary celebration.  

If you would like to participate contact: Joanne Itano at itanoj001@gmail.com.

Pictured from left to right are: Bottom row: Beth Freitas, Lori Conley, Carol Kotsubo, Elyse Sporkin, Chris Fukumoto. Top row: Sharon Yamaguchi, Carol Abrigo, Joanne Itano, Cindy Kaneshiro, Gail Smith, Diane Nakagaki, Ryan Iwamoto.

Mana'olana

Nurse of Hope - 2026

Recognizing Excellence in Oncology Nursing in Hawai'i 

The nurse selected for the honor of representing
Hawaii’s oncology nurses will receive professional recognition
and financial assistance to attend a national ONS meeting.

NOMINATION DEADLINE: May 16, 2025

Nominations may be made by co-workers, patients, families or self.
All nominees will be sent further information and an application.

Nomination form and eligibility criteria: See links below.

Questions?
For more information email Pikakelani Mokuahi at
pmokuahi@my.hpu.edu

2026_Manaolana_Brochure.pdf

manaolana_nominationform2026.pdf

Manaolana_poster_2026.pdf

Congratulations to our 2025 Mana'olana Nurse of Hope Award Recipient!

Pikakelani Mokuahi, BSN, RN

Kaiser Permanente

Our Journal Club is back for Round 2!  Join us for next event!  All ONS Members are invited.

Journal Club Guidelines:

- Register for attendance from our Events page

- Review posted article prior to journal club date

- Come ready to discuss content with your fellow colleagues!

Date: June 9, 2025 at 5:30pm on Zoom 

Article: Patient–Provider Cost-of-Care Conversations to Prevent Financial Toxicity

Journal_Club__2_Article.pdf

Please register in the Events page for the Zoom link.

Must be a current ONS Member to participate.

Sharing an ONS Sponsored CE Opportunity!

Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Related Plexiform Neurofibromas: Improving Diagnosis and Monitoring While Integrating Ongoing Updates in the Treatment Continuum

Speaker: Angela Hirbe, MD
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HT
Location: Virtual Lecture

Please Register - see link in the Flyer CVNF1-PN_Webcast_05-14__002_.pdf

Sharing a non-ONS Sponsored conference!

Pan Pacific Leukemia Conference

July 15-18, 2025

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

To register go to www.unmc.edu/cce/pan-pacific-leukemia

Leukemia_Conference_July_2025.pdf

Hello Hawaii (Oahu) Members!  Dee Ann Omatsu and Carl Pitre recently attended the Advanced Practice Providers Oncology Summit (APPOS) Conference and put together conference highlights to share with you.

Please reach out to Carl and Dee Ann for more information and questions. Thank you, Dee and Carl!

APPOS_Highlights_2024.pptx

Pre-recorded webinar available! Watch now.

Jaimie Vickery hosts a discussion about special nursing considerations for oncology nurses caring for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Featuring Alison Silberman, CEO of Stupid Cancer Inc., and Amy R. Newman, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at Marquette University and a pediatric nurse practitioner in the MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Wisconsin.