What is Bilingual Health Services?

The Bilingual Health Education Aide program assists immigrants, migrants, Compact of Free Association groups, Native Hawaiians, and limited and non-English speaking to access health and other related services in the community.

Who qualifies for Bilingual Health Services?

  • Legal immigrants who arrived in Hawaii after August 22, 1996
  • Migrants from Micronesia and the U.S. Territories

What does BHS provide?

  • Bilingual interpretation services
  • Provision and delivery of health promotion and education services to non-English and limited English speaking population of the state
  • Referral to free and low-cost health services
  • Assistance to apply for public health insurance (MEDQUEST) for 0-18 years old
  • Information on social services available in the community
  • Education for clients about disease prevention, risk reduction and health promotion
  • Assistance with language and cultural interpretation
  • Home visits and follow-up visits
  • Provision of linkages to various health agencies in the community

Bilingual Health Education Aides

Oahu
Sau Lan “Vikki” Wong (Cantonese/Mandarin) 832-5642

John Ishoda (Marshallese) 587-5425

Olivia Arnemann (Vietnamese) 832-5665

Tugalei Soa (Samoan) 233-3793

Nena Kim (Ilocano/Tagalog) 453-6070

Susana Quintana (Tagalog) 832-5685

Rensely Alik (Chuukese) 233-3793

Kauai
Duquesa Padamada (Tagalog/Ilocano)

Pua Ka’ohelaulii (Hawaiian) 241-3564

Maui
Nancy Leano (Tagalog/Ilocano) 984-8216, 335-8410

Easy Access Project

The Easy Access Project is a federally funded program that lessens and eliminates the barriers in accessing health services.  Newly arrived immigrants and migrants can contact EAP for an interview to determine the immigrant/migrant’s needs.  After this assessment, EAP will set them up with a Bilingual Health Education Aide.  The EAP is open from 8am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday.  EAP can be reached at: 832-5685 or you may go to the main office on Oahu, located at: Lanakila Health Center, 1700 Lanakila Ave. Room 104, Honolulu, HI 96817.