I was born in Hawai‘i. I grew up in Ewa Beach, was educated at the Kamehameha Schools, and graduated from the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine—so being able to live and work where I am from is deeply fulfilling. It means a lot to me to be able to give back to my underserved Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. I am also proud to be an educator, teaching comprehensive pulmonary and critical care medicine at a premier academic teaching center. I’m part of the team at the Queen’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Group, where I practice compassionate, evidence-based medicine, and patient-centered care with aloha. I am driven to make a difference in the world, starting with my patients’ lives and well-being. I want my patients to view me as a physician who they can trust and feel comfortable with, and a health partner who embodies the aloha spirit and the Queen Emma Way. When I’m not working with my patients, I relax by diving (free and scuba), flying drones, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, traveling, and playing volleyball and other league sports. Most of all, I like to spend time with my ‘ohana, my friends, and my pets.

Caroline has been living with COPD for over ten years. Her initial response to being diagnosed was shock and disbelief. Once she accepted her diagnosis, Caroline realized she wanted to connect with others to learn more about her lung disease and make a difference. As a member of the COPD Patient Advisory Group, Caroline helps others going through similar experiences by responding to questions on the American Lung Association’s online support groups hosted on Inspire. She also distributes educational materials to local nursing programs. Caroline continues to remain active with her hobbies including tending to her flower beds and vegetable garden. At this time in her life, Caroline says that her reason for being is to help others with COPD lead their best life.