As President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, I want to share my deepest gratitude for making our recent social event such a success. It was wonderful to connect with all of you, and I look forward to the new opportunities for our members that will stem from our conversations.
Beyond the festivities, I am incredibly moved by your tireless dedication to providing relief and donations for flood victims across our islands. Your selflessness during these challenging times embodies the very best of our profession. As disaster relief shifts toward long-term recovery, we are hoping to partner on volunteer opportunities to provide community veterinary services in the hardest-hit areas.
Looking ahead, let’s carry this momentum into the Hawai’i Pet Expo on May 2nd and 3rd. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the public and celebrate the bond between people and their pets. I look forward to seeing our HVMA volunteers in action as we continue to lead with heart, expertise, and a shared passion for the animals we serve.
Best regards,
Dr. Heather Kihara President, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association
lhor Basko, DVM, beloved veterinarian and longtime member of the Kauai community passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, at the age of 79.
He is survived by his devoted wife and partner of 45 years, Jane Winter-Basko, whose life and work were closely intertwined with his through decades of shared purpose and compassion for animals and their community. He is also survived by his niece, Alona Dakhnenko of Ukraine, his only living family member.
Dr. Basko was born on February 13, 1947, in Aschaffenburg, Germany, the son of Dmytro Basko and Luba (Sawka) Basko. He later moved to the United States, where he pursued his lifelong calling in veterinary medicine.
After completing his veterinary education, Dr. Basko dedicated his career to compassionate and integrative animal care and eventually made Kauai his home. Over decades of practice, he became widely respected for combining traditional veterinary medicine with acupuncture, herbal therapies, and nutrition-based healing approaches, helping thousands of animals locally and internationally.
His Kapahi practice was known for its peaceful outdoor setting designed to keep animals calm and comfortable. In addition to clinical work, Dr. Basko educated pet owners through consultations, teaching, and his longtime radio program, “Pets and People in Paradise.” His book, Fresh Food & Ancient Wisdom, reflected his belief in nutrition and holistic care as foundations for animal health.
Known for his quiet kindness, humility, and deep attentiveness, Dr. Basko approached every animal with patience and respect. Clients and colleagues remember him not only as an exceptional veterinarian but as a mentor, teacher, and compassionate friend whose influence extended far beyond his clinic.
Dr. Ihor Basko passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love, the morning after celebrating his birthday on Friday the 13th — his favorite day of the year. We are deeply grateful that he was able to spend that special day in joy before his peaceful transition.
Dr. B was more than a doctor; he was a truly kind, generous, and giving soul. Everyone who met him experienced his remarkable knowledge, his gentle compassion, and the sincere care he brought to every interaction. He did not simply practice medicine — he lived it, with heart.
His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and healed. It lives in his passion for Chinese herbs, in the comfort of his home-cooked recipes, and in the deep respect and care he showed for the human–animal bond. He taught us that healing is not just treatment, but presence, intention, and love.
Thank you for being part of his extended family and for the love you have shown him throughout the years.
With love and gratitude
Dr.Basko’s Team Staff@drbasko.com All Creatures Great & Small (808) 822-4229 https://www.drbasko.com/ https://www.drbasko.com/consultations/
At the AVMA’s January 2026 session, a new policy on camelid castration was introduced — but not without controversy. The original draft required that appropriate pain management must be utilized for surgical castration procedures. During committee review, that mandatory language was removed and replaced with language mirroring existing sheep and goat and swine policies, which state that AVMA recommends the use of appropriate pain medications for surgical procedures (see the text below).
Your Hawaii delegate responded by proposing an amendment to insert the word “strongly” before “recommends” — a small but meaningful change that signals a higher standard of care. The amendment was voted down, primarily due to concerns about inconsistency with the existing sheep and goat and swine policies.
Rather than accept that outcome, we’re taking the next step. At the July summer session, HVMA will submit three new resolutions — covering sheep and goat, swine, and camelid castration policies — each proposing the same single-word addition of “strongly” before “recommends.” Aligning the language across all three policies eliminates the consistency objection and strengthens pain management guidance across species.
The proposed text changes and our supporting statement of reasoning are below for your review. The submission deadline is May 1st, so your feedback is needed soon. If you have comments before we submit, please reach out directly to Carolyn Naun or Jenee Odani. Mahalo!
“The AVMA recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain, including the use of approved or AMDUCA-permissible clinically effective medications whenever possible.”
Proposed text:
“The AVMA strongly recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain, including the use of approved or AMDUCA-permissible clinically effective medications whenever possible.”
Statement to be submitted with the resolution:
“It is well documented that the use of appropriate analgesics improves not only animal welfare but overall patient outcomes. Addition of the word “strongly” to the recommendation signals to the profession as well as the public at large that AVMA takes the well-being of livestock species seriously, while still protecting the discretion of the individual practitioner to make case by case judgements as needed.
“At the 2026 winter session, including the word “strongly” in the new camelid castration policy was rejected by the House due to concerns over inconsistency with the corresponding sheep and goat and swine policies. By amending all three policies concurrently, HOD can preserve this consistency while communicating to the public that AVMA cares about animal welfare and responsible husbandry.”
Dear Colleagues, Staff, and Friends, It’s that time again when the HVMA celebrates National Pet Week (May 3-9) with the sponsorship of the Hawaii Pet Expo on May 2 and 3, 2026. The association has hosted this FREE community event for the last 34 years. This event continues to draw large crowds ( over 10,000 in the weekend) and is one of the few events that welcome the attendance of pets.
This year the HVMA booth will contain exhibits on topics such as pet myths, heat stroke, and other veterinary issues. We will once again have our snack bar and “Ask-A-Vet” area. This year we will need 5 volunteers (vets and/or staff) to effectively man the booth. We also need volunteers to man our Make-N-Take It booth, Foodbank/Info booth, Pet Snack Bar, Photo and Fundraiser booths, show marshals, and greeters.
The Hawaii Pet Expo would not have been such a success all these years, without the volunteerism of veterinarians, staff, family, and friends. Volunteers work a 2 hour shift and receive an Expo t-shirt. Lunch will be included for those who participate in the 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. shift. We can never have too many volunteers! Please sign-up and also help to promote the event by posting the Expo fliers and discussing the event with your clients. Your association delegates will also call you to remind you.
The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce that the 2026 HVMA scholarship application is now open! The application deadline is April 15th, 2026.
Interested veterinary students (1st-4th year, US citizens) currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited doctoral program of veterinary medicine who graduated from a high school in Hawaii are eligible to apply. Please share this opportunity with any students you think may be interested!
The 2026 legislative session has begun! Here are a few pieces of legislation we are tracking as we advocate on behalf of veterinarians in Hawaii:
SB 874 – Requires written prescriptions on request. HVMA submitted testimony to ensure the law would not cause undue burden upon veterinarians.
SB 2158 – Establish Vet Workforce Development Special Fund and Loan Repayment/Scholarship Program. HVMA supports.
SB 2086 – Requires any health care professional being sued to inform the licensing board within 30 days of filing and allows for non-economic damages. HVMA opposes.
Want to track bills of interest? Sign up for hearing notifications so you can submit testimony. Make your voice heard by your legislators!
2/2/2026 Update: SB 2158 has a scheduled hearing on Friday 2/6/2026. Submit online testimony to support this bill that will allow state funding to go toward supporting vet school graduates returning to Hawaii to work in the state.
4/3/2026 Update: SB 874 – Requires written prescriptions on request. Still moving through, currently includes language supported by HVMA to avoid undue burdens on veterinarians
SB 2158 – Establish Vet Workforce Development Special Fund and Loan Repayment/Scholarship Program. Did not advance this session
SB 2086 – Requires any health care professional being sued to inform the licensing board within 30 days of filing and allows for non-economic damages. Did not advance this session
Thank you for joining us at the 72nd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel. This was a new venue for the HVMA, but we enjoyed being back in the heart of Waikiki and seeing friends old and new.
We had a packed exhibit hall with 34 exhibitors, 2 day of labs and workshops including orthopedic surgery, pain management, and fish medicine. Our 3 days of lectures featured 4 concurrent sessions with something for everyone, including a dedicated veterinary technician track. At the Annual HVMA Hui we were visited by AVMA Past-President Sandra Faeh and District X Director Dick Sullivan. We also enjoyed a wet but delicious Dinner at the Zoo on Saturday night.
Save the date for our 73rd Annual Conference November 12-15, 2026 at the Sheraton Princess Ka’iulani Hotel. Registration will open in the summer. In the meantime, keep at eye on our conference website for more information!
The new year means it’s time to renew your membership for 2026! Why be a member of the HVMA? Your participation in local organized veterinary medicine makes our voice stronger. We actively advocate to promote Hawaii’s veterinary profession in the eyes of the public and the legislature. We support you and your staff by keeping you up to date with important news that impacts you as veterinary health professionals, maintaining online resources, coordinating local veterinary disaster response, and bringing top-notch continuing education in Hawaii. Your dues help to support all of this and more.
Choose the automatic annual renewal option and never forget to renew your membership again! If you can’t remember whether you signed up for automatic renewals, feel free to email us to check before registering again. Automatic renewal option will be available until February 28. Your renewal date will be one year from registration.
Greetings from your AVMA delegates! We recently returned from the January House of Delegates meeting in Chicago, where we reviewed and approved several small updates to the AVMA Bylaws.
We also spent time discussing two resolutions. The first focused on the importance of early socialization and training in animals. While there was broad support for the intent, it was noted that the language was written broadly enough to include wildlife, zoo animals, and other species for which human socialization may not be appropriate. Because of this, the resolution was referred back to the AVMA Board of Directors for refinement, and we expect a revised version—with clearer species-specific guidance—to return to the House in the future.
The second resolution addressed castration in camelid species, an area where the AVMA had not previously had a formal policy. Although policies already exist for other small ruminants and pigs, this prompted an important discussion about anesthesia and pain management. Your Hawaii delegates proposed strengthening the language to strongly recommend anesthesia and pain management for camelid castration. While this amendment did not pass—largely due to concerns about keeping wording consistent across species—we continue to stand behind the recommendation. Camelids are typically castrated later in life, often between 18 and 24 months of age, which raises additional animal welfare considerations. Our plan is to return this summer with a proposal to strengthen the language across all applicable species, improving consistency while still allowing veterinarians appropriate clinical discretion.
We also had two topics for the Veterinary Information Forum. One focused on educational standards for veterinary technicians; no formal action was taken at this time. The second addressed the role of allied organizations within the House of Delegates. In addition to state delegations, the House includes representatives from allied veterinary organizations that bring valuable expertise from specialized areas of practice. These voices are especially important when we’re discussing niche topics, like the aforementioned camelid medicine. There is some concern that changes in membership numbers could affect continued representation for certain groups, so a task force has been created to explore ways to ensure these perspectives remain part of the conversation. The National Association of Federal Veterinarians has been particularly engaged in this discussion, as federal veterinary positions may be impacted by ongoing workforce reductions.
Our next House of Delegates meeting will take place July 9–10, 2026, in Anaheim, California, alongside the AVMA Annual Convention. We’re hoping to bring forward our proposed resolutions at that time. Before then, we’ll be reaching out through a future newsletter to gather your input—so please keep an eye out. If you have experience or insights you’d like to share, we would truly welcome your involvement.
As always, thank you for allowing us to represent Hawaii and keep you connected to what’s happening at the national level.
Welcome to the new year of 2026! We are getting closer to our Toxoplasma study recruitment. We are still looking for volunteers to participate in our study to get more information about how common and what risk factors are associated with human toxoplasmosis in Hawaii.
The purpose of the study is to see how common toxoplasmosis is and to evaluate the risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis in people living in Hawaii.
To be eligible to participate in the study, participants need to be between 18-65 years old, are generally healthy and free of severe health conditions (e.g. HIV/AIDs, cancer, immune-mediated diseases, etc), and have lived in Hawaii for at least 6 months or more at the time of study participation.
The study will involve one in-person visit to the John A. Burns School of Medicine campus in Kaka’ako clinics to complete a questionnaire and have ~5-10 mL (1-2 tbsp) of blood drawn from them. The study visit will take 30-45 minutes total. After completion of the study, ALL participants will be compensated with a $5 gift card to either Starbucks or Jamba Juice of their choice!
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in our study, please contact jching21@hawaii.edu.
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