Ariella Barry, DVM, MPH VMO, Hawaii Dept of Health
Please join us in welcoming Ariella Barry, DVM, MPH, who is serving as the new Veterinary Medical Officer with the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University and her Master of Public Health in Global Health from Harvard University.
Ariella has a strong interest in One Health and disease surveillance, particularly zoonotic diseases with high prevalence in Hawai‘i such as toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, and brucellosis. She is dedicated to strengthening interagency collaboration across the state to enhance public health preparedness and response at the human–animal–environment interface.
Originally from California, Ariella is passionate about advancing public health through collaborative, evidence-based approaches that bridge veterinary and medical sciences. She also works as an Emergency Veterinarian. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and going to the beach with her German Shepherd.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 has been detected again on Oahu as the migratory season starts in Hawaii. The October 2025 sample was taken from an ill migratory pintail duck found on the UH Manoa campus which died shortly after intake by the Hawaii Wildlife Center.
H5N1 influenza A is highly infectious among wild birds and poultry, and has been responsible for widespread culling of poultry flocks worldwide. As it has become endemic in the continental United States, HPAI infections have also been reported in other animals including livestock and cats. Human infection risk remains low and human cases have been primarily linked to direct animal exposure.
Please remain cautious when dealing with wildlife, particularly any sick or dead birds. Remind your clients to not feed wildlife or attract wild birds near pets or backyard flocks, and to avoid touching any sick or dead birds. PPE such as facemasks and gloves should be worn if necessary to handle sick or dead birds.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity may be contacted for consultation on any suspected cases: 808-483-7100, Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 808-837-8092 during non-business hours and holidays, Email: dabic@hawaii.gov.
Since her graduation from veterinary medical school with a focus on aquatic animal medicine; Dr. Shaw has dedicated her career to the wellbeing of animals wild and free. (And to those living with humans too).
During her field time as an aquatic animal veterinarian; Dr. Shaw worked with migrating sea birds, Hawaiian green sea turtles, fishes, and endangered marine mammal species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal (HMS), among others. Playing a pivotal role in the success of the HMS Critter Cam project, and other telemetry studies, Dr. Shaw facilitated further understanding of the habits of the HMS as well as protection of their prey species, foraging/feeding grounds, and pupping habitat.
Upon becoming acutely aware of the severity of the world’s animal overpopulation crisis, Dr. Shaw had also turned her attention and energy towards solving this dilemma, which threatens animal welfare as well as human health.
Compassionately crusading for humane population reduction and health care for those animals, often otherwise uncared for, became the main direction of her career before 2020. She has put together large volume reproductive control clinics or joined others already doing so in Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Samoa, and domestically as well.
When not crusading for animals overseas, Dr. Shaw can be found on Kauai as well as traveling to share her abundant knowledge of holistic medicine.
Dr. Shaw uses rehabilitation and regenerative medical modalities such as: acupuncture, chiropractic, frequency medicine, healing laser, herbs, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, ozone therapy, regenerative injection therapies, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, Rolf method of structural integration, TCVM, and nutrition, to enhance the quality of life of her patients.
Dr. Shaw firmly believes it’s not just about adding years to their lives but adding quality to those years…
In an effort to become even better at this goal, Dr. Shaw is pursuing a Masters degree in TCVM through Chi university in Florida.
In her free time she enjoys helping babies be born peacefully at home, sailing, swimming, scuba, surfing, traveling, learning foreign languages, practicing and teaching yoga as well as dabbling in plant based cooking.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming HVMA 72nd Annual Conference, taking place from November 5 – 9, 2025 at the Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani Waikiki Beach Hotel in Honolulu.
This event is much more than our annual gathering. It’s a time to be inspired, to grow professionally, and to reconnect with each other. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine, our local conference offers:
A robust continuing-education program, approved for 117 RACE hours (max 36 for veterinarians, 28 for veterinary technicians).
Exceptional opportunities to network with fellow veterinarians, technicians, exhibitors, and thought-leaders in the field.
A chance to reflect on our unique island ecosystem and how our practices can continue to serve pets, families and communities across Hawaiʻi with excellence.
In times of change and challenges such as staff shortages, shifting client expectations, and economic unrest, gathering together reminds us that we are stronger together. This conference is our moment to reaffirm our commitment to the profession, exchange knowledge, and leave energized for the year ahead. We believe this conference will leave you equipped with new insights, connected to peers, and inspired to continue the important work you do every day for animals and their people.
Thank you for being part of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association community. We look forward to seeing you for a week of learning, aloha, and professional rejuvenation.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) has shared a bulletin with training and exercise opportunities regarding topics including but not limited to: volcanic crises, uncrewed aircraft systems, disaster management for public services, and more!
This July, your Hawaii AVMA delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent our state and participate in important AVMA business during the annual convention. It was a very productive and meaningful meeting.
We were joined by many dignitaries from veterinary medical associations around the world, who shared messages of hope, warmth, collaboration, and common challenges faced by our profession globally.
A highlight of the convention was the induction of Dr. Michael Bailey as the new AVMA President. Dr. Bailey is the first African-American to serve in this role, marking a historic moment for the organization. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of professional advocacy, stating, “We must shape our own story instead of letting others shape our story for us.”
The AVMA continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as support for the federal veterinary workforce.
In addition to our House of Delegates work, we visited Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and advocate for issues important to veterinary medicine. We met with the offices of Representative Jill Tokuda, Senator Brian Schatz, and Senator Mazie Hirono to encourage their support of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and the Stopping Illicit Xylazine Act. We encourage all veterinary professionals to contact their representatives and ask them to support these important initiatives. These “Hill Visits” are made possible through the non-partisan AVMA PAC, and we encourage you to consider contributing so we can continue to extend our reach and represent veterinary interests on the national stage.
Additionally, several policy updates and resolutions were passed, including:
Pediatric sterilization
Therapeutic pet food claims
Sow housing
Declawing
Recognition of pain in animals
The Model Veterinary Practice Act
A new policy on workplace hazards in veterinary settings
Read more about the resolutions that were passed here.
If you have any questions about these topics or the work of the AVMA House of Delegates, please feel free to reach out to your Hawaii AVMA Representatives. We are always here to represent you and keep you informed!
Aloha, Carolyn Naun, Hawaii Delegate Jenee Odani, Hawaii Alternate Delegate
Dr. Heidi Choy is a small animal vet currently practicing at Oahu Veterinary Clinic. She is originally from Mo’ili’ili and graduated from Maryknoll High School. She received her Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Santa Clara University and her veterinary degree at Purdue University in Indiana. After school, she moved to Seattle, where she spent six years working at Rainier Veterinary Hospital and volunteering at the Seattle Humane Society and PAWS.
In 2016, Dr. Choy returned to Hawaii to be closer to family. She spent many years as the treasurer for the Honolulu Veterinary Society.
Dr. Choy has a 13 month old little girl who keeps her busy! She loves traveling (especially to National Parks), hiking, solving escape rooms, and she has a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Bowie.
HVMA would like to congratulate our 2025 scholarship recipients this year! We had a record number of applicants and it was very difficult to choose our awardees. Your dues help to provide these scholarships and support our local veterinary students – thank you!
Kylie Ebisuya Washington State University
Kylie Ebisuya is a rising third year student at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine who intends to practice in small animal clinical medicine when she returns to Hawaii. She has a strong interest in organized veterinary medicine and serves as the WSU Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) President. She is also a WSU Clinical Skills lab peer instructor, a position that requires strong clinical skills, approachability, creativity, calm demeanor, and the ability to work with all types of people. Kylie received a B.S. in Animal Sciences and a B.A.in Japanese from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While an undergraduate student, she worked at The Pet Clinic in Honolulu and was active in the research laboratories of Dr. Birendra Mishra and Dr. Jenee Odani.
Eric Fukawa Oregon State University
Eric Fukawa will also be starting his third year at the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University this September. Eric grew up in Mililani and is a proud graduate of Damien Memorial School Class of 2016. His aim is to focus on small animal general practice with interest in small animal surgery. Eric is looking forward to coming back to Hawaii to serve his community when he graduates.
This year we are moving our annual conference back to Waikiki at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel! Labs will be offered on Nov 5-6, 2025, including Essentials for Fracture Repair for General Practitioners and Stabilization of Unstable Joints, Dental Radiography Positioning, Physical Medicine and Pain Management Workshop, and a hands on Laser Lab. See more lab details here.
Multiple track lectures will fill Nov 7-9, 2025, including ophthalmology, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia and analgesia, and an equine track on Saturday. Veterinary technician specific lectures will be offered on Saturday and Sunday. The HVMA Hui (Annual Business Meeting) will occur over lunch on Saturday, and we will be holding our annual social event with dinner at the Zoo on Saturday evening.
Registration is now open for attendees and exhibitors. Remember to log in to your HVMA online account to receive the discounted registration rates for active members. Discounted group room rates at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani will be posted soon and must be booked by October 1, 2025.
Check out our conference page for more information as we will continue to post details such as the conference schedule and speaker bios. Please join us for great RACE-approved CE, our lively exhibit hall, food, and fellowship with your local vet community!
I can’t believe that we are half way through 2025 already! The PetExpo was a resounding success thanks to all of you, Dr. Lissa Kam, her wonderful staff at Ohana Vet Clinic, and her new extended ohana, Veterinary Solutions Inc! Just a few weeks ago, our wonderful AVMA delegates, Dr. Jenee Odani and Dr. Carolyn Naun, represented us at the AVMA convention in Washington DC and helped lobby for important animal welfare changes and discussed important topics like the Veterinary Practice Act Model. We are now looking forward to our HVMA convention in November and trying to find ways to make it better than ever! We will be trying another venue and hope that you will join us for our amazing speakers, wetlabs, and social events at the zoo!
As a volunteer organization, I like to thank every member for your passion and helping to advance veterinary medicine and animal welfare in Hawai’i! If you would like to see any changes that HVMA can help with, please let us! Please keep in touch with us via email, facebook, or instagram!
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