2024 HVMA Conference Registration Now Open

This year we are moving our annual conference to the Hawaii Convention Center! Labs will be offered on Nov 6-7, 2024, and a full slate of lectures will fill Nov 8-10, 2024. Lecture topics include behavior, cardiology, anesthesia, soft tissue surgery, exotics, and more! 

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. Accommodations will be across the street from the convention center at the Ala Moana Hotel.

Check out our conference page where you can find lab details and our conference schedule. Please join us for great RACE-approved CE, our lively exhibit hall, food, and fellowship, and get to know your local vet community! 

In Remembrance: Lester Naito

Dr. Naito with Tomi, a chihuahua-terrier.
Photo by Craig T. Kojima

Lester Naito graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1959 and opened his 1st clinic in 1963, Animal Clinic Waimalu, followed by Animal Clinic Mililani, Moanalua, Waipahu, and Kapolei. These clinics are now VCA Animal Hospitals.

Dr. Naito studied for two years as a pre-med major at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He chose to further his education at OSU because the pre-veterinary requirements closely matched his pre-med course work.

He and his wife Grace have 4 kids, Steven, Joanne, Scott and Leslie.


I will always be grateful to Doctor Lester Naito for giving me the opportunity to gain experience and grow in the profession as a beginning veterinarian.  By example, he kept his optimism even during difficult circumstance.  His foresight and support were instrumental in developing my own professional vision .   Through the years his life touched many of us as employees, pet owners and friends.  Les will be missed.
– Dr. Isaac Maeda

Hawaii State Board of Veterinary Medicine Updates

New temporary permits are now in effect!

The Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine has recently increased its bank of test questions, and has reduce the waiting period to retest following a failed attempt to pass the Hawaii state veterinary examination from 90 days to 60 days. While the HVMA had petitioned for a shorter (30 day) waiting period, we are grateful for this small improvement.

In upcoming legislative sessions, the HVMA will be looking into revising the veterinary practice law to allow temporary permittees to continue practicing veterinary medicine during this waiting period following a failed attempt to pass the State veterinary examination.

Currently, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) section 471-8(c)(5), titled “Examinations; qualifications of applicants” states in relevant part:
“(c)(5) The temporary permit shall be valid until the results of the Hawaii state board examination taken by the permittee are known; provided, that failure of the Hawaii state board exam, the National Board Examination, or Clinical Competency Test shall immediately terminate the temporary permit;”

If you have suggestions or inquiries regarding licensure or regulation of veterinary medicine in Hawaii, please contact the Hawaii State Board of Veterinary Medicine at veterinary@dcca.hawaii.gov or (808) 586-2705.

CDC Importation Rabies Rule Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its final rule that it hopes will reduce public health risks of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) associated with the importation of dogs into the United States. The final rule addresses the importation of cats as part of overall changes to the regulations affecting both dogs and cats, but the final rule does not require that imported cats be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination and does not substantively change how cats are imported into the United States.

In this final rule, CDC aligns U.S. import requirements for dogs with the importation requirements of other DMRVV-free countries by requiring proof of rabies vaccination and adequate serologic test results from a CDC-approved laboratory. Requirements that need to be met for dogs to be imported include: a microchip, six-month minimum age requirement for admission, and importer submission of a CDC import form. The rule also requires airlines to confirm documentation, provide safe housing for animals, and assist public health officials in determining the cause of an animal’s illness or death.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 13 and is effective August 1, 2024.

AVMA article: https://www.avma.org/news/dog-import-requirements-strengthened-prevent-canine-rabies-return

Here are some resources released by the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs-entering-us-after-august-1.html

2024 Annual Business Meeting Notice

Our HVMA Hui annual business meeting will be held on Saturday Nov 9, 2024 at 12pm at the Hawaii Convention Center Room 325. Conference registration is not required to attend the meeting. 

We will be voting on several bylaws changes, detailed below:

1. ARTICLE III, Section 2a.

Current:
Location – Each county shall be entitled to a Representative on the Executive Board in accordance with the number of Active Members within that County using the following formula:
1-25 Active Members-One Representative
26-50 Active Members-Two Representatives
51-75 Active Members-Three Representatives
Up to a maximum of four Representatives per County.

Proposed Amendment:
Location – Each county shall be entitled to representation on the Executive Board in accordance with the number of Active Members within that County using the following formula:
1-50 Active Members – Up to two representatives
51-75 Active Members – Up to three representatives
Over 75 Active Members – Up to four representatives
No more than four Representatives will be allowed per County.

2. Section 2(f): Change “serving in Hawaii by the U.S. Army” to “serving in Hawaii by the U.S. Armed forces”

3. Article II, Section 2(c) Reword/reformat for clarity.

Current:
Section 2.  Election
a. All elections shall be conducted by written ballot unless there is only one nominee for an office in which case the Active Members registered and voting may instruct the Secretary to cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  
b. To be elected, a nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast.
c. Shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

Proposed:
Section 2. Election
All elections shall be conducted by written or electronic ballot unless there is only one nominee for an office in which case the Active Members registered and voting may instruct the Secretary to cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee. To be elected, a nominee must receive a majority of the votes cast.

4. Article III, Section 3. Reformat for clarity and consistency with remainder of document

Current:
The Executive Board shall hold six regular meetings during the period between the Annual Meetings of the Association.  These meetings shall be as follows:
1st – immediately following the Annual Meeting
Meetings 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, to be held every other month after the Annual Meeting, i.e. January, March, May, July, and September.
6th – immediately preceding the Annual Meeting

Proposed:
The Executive Board shall hold six regular meetings during the period between the Annual Meetings of the Association.  These meetings shall be as follows:
a. 1st – within 45 days following the Annual Meeting
b. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th – to be held every other month after the Annual Meeting, e.g. January, March, May, July, and September.
c. 6th – within 45 days preceding the Annual Meeting

5. Article V, Section 4. Notice; Reword for consistency with electronic communication allowed in rest of bylaws.

Current:
A written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of the annual meeting shall be mailed not less than thirty days before the meeting to each member of the Association.

Proposed:
At least thirty days prior to the meeting, uniform written notice, including electronic communication, shall be transmitted to all current members stating the place, day, and time of the annual meeting.


Additionally, this year we will be holding board position elections for the following positions (current nominees below):

President Elect – Alfred Mina
Vice President – Malia Lyons
Secretary – Jamie Furutani
Treasurer – Caren Tamura-Taira
Executive Vice President – Jill Yoshicedo
Kauai Delegate – Melissa Shaw
Oahu Delegate – Gabrielle Asay, Heidi Choy, Erika Sox

Nominations may also be made from the floor during the business meeting.
If you are interested in serving on the HVMA board or nominating a colleague, please email nominating_committee@hawaiivetmed.org.

Toxoplasma Research Recruitment

Do you want to be a part of a research study involving the evaluation of toxoplasmosis in people living in Hawaii? Do you want to make an impact in the community? 

If you said YES to either question, Dr. Jerrisa Ching Choe and her research team are looking for healthy volunteers who are between the ages of 18 and 65 years old for our research study.   

The purpose of the study is to measure the prevalence of Toxoplasma exposure in Hawaii residents and to evaluate the risk factors associated with human exposure to toxoplasmosis in Hawaii.  The information gained from this study will provide insight into how common toxoplasmosis is in Hawaii and will enable us to develop approaches to detect and prevent this disease in our community. 

To learn more about toxoplasmosis, please check out our informational brochure.

The study will involve one visit to the John A. Burns School of Medicine campus in Honolulu, HI where study participants will complete a survey and have ~5 mL (1 teaspoon) of blood drawn. The study visit will take approximately 45 minutes. ALL study participants will receive compensation for their time.

If you’re interested in participating in this study, please contact Dr. Jerrisa Ching Choe at jching21@hawaii.edu. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Dr. Sandra Chang at 808-692-1607 or sandrac@hawaii.edu.

Thank you for your interest and consideration. We look forward to seeing you!

In Remembrance- Patrick Ahana

Patrick Ahana, born on January 21, 1946, dedicated his life to the welfare of animals and the happiness of his family. He passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024. As a renowned veterinarian, he touched the lives of countless creatures and their human companions with his gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment to their well-being. His clinic, Kapaa Animal Clinic, was not just a place of healing but also a sanctuary where pets and their families found solace and support. Patrick’s love for animals was matched only by his love for his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife Joanne, sons Alek (Nanett) and Bryce (Mistye), grandchildren Kaci, Ayden, Lexie, and Bryn, and siblings Robert Ahana, Phyllis Tokita, and Valerie (Yoshito) Narikiyo. His legacy of kindness, compassion, and devotion to both animals and family will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

AVMA Updates

AVMA Vitals

The AVMA has made monthly need-to-know updates available on the following topics:

  • Better integrating veterinary technicians’ robust skill set into practice
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza found in Texas, Kansas dairy cattle
  • HHS, senators ask DEA to use marijuana restrictions
  • ACVIM issues updated guidance on canine leptospirosis
  • Number of NAVLE test takers increases; Overall scores drop
  • More veterinary colleges in line for accreditation evaluations
  • Education Department to forgive loans for some borrowers; recertification deadline extended
  • Find veterinary clinic trials
  • Two new resources support equine practitioners
  • Pet food safety resources protect patients and clients
  • Managing toxicosis cases: Tips from the experts
  • Curiosity can lead to discovery: Embracing neurodiversity
  • Discover your advocacy path
  • Stay in the know–and qualify to earn rewards
  • Help for veterinarians and animals affected by wildfires
  • AVMA Convention 2024
  • Test yourself: Animal Welfare Assessment Contest

View the full AVMA Vitals update here.

AVMA Expands Mentorship Program

Any AVMA member with less than 10 years of professional experience can now get free professional mentoring through MentorVet Connect, brought to you by the AVMA. Learn more.

Hawaii Pet Expo 2024

It’s that time of year again; the Hawaii Pet Expo is coming up on May 4-5, 2024! We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event spectacular for the community!!! All volunteers get FREE t-shirts and a FREE lunch (if they volunteer in the morning of Saturday, May 4 or Sunday, May 5) for helping out! Check out all the volunteer descriptions and slot availability with the email attachment. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer sign-up link HERE no later than April 20, 2024 before 6:00 PM HST. If you have any questions, please email Jerrisa Ching.

Pono Pet Parents

Submitted by Michelle Barbieri, DVM

The HVMA is providing a landing page for resources for veterinarians, technicians, and pet owners called Pono Pet Parents. This information campaign currently focuses on cats, but the hope is that in the future, it can be expanded to dogs and more. Cat owners can learn about how to raise their beloved pets in a thoughtful way that strengthens their bond with their cats, keeps them happy and healthy, and benefits wild animals and our island home.

Resources are grouped by the following sections:

  • Ensure my cat has a happy home for life
  • Keep my cat safe indoors
  • Create an enriching home environment
  • Spay/neuter and microchip
  • Dispose of litter in the garbage
  • Learn about the unique Hawai’i environment I’m protecting

Pet owners can then take the Pono Cat Pledge, which includes a commitment to these activities. These pages are the result of a combined effort of humane society representatives on Oahu and Kauai, and local, state and federal conservation groups hoping to realize the shared goals of responsible pet ownership and wildlife and ecosystem health.

Please share this resource with your clients and colleagues. And if you have any feedback or want to help get involved with future steps in this information campaign, contact Michelle Barbieri.