Three foundations. One goal. Countless connections. - Kapi'olani ...

a habit of giving.
Dr. Robert Kistner has worn many hats during
his 40+ years at Straub Clinic & Hospital, but
his concern was always the same: to help out
wherever it was needed most.
He started the Department of Peripheral
Vascular Surgery. To make research and
education possible, he helped establish the
non-profit Straub Foundation. To give local
students the opportunity to experience
medicine first-hand, he co-founded the
Summer Student Research Program.
Through the decades, the doctor and his wife, Adelaide, also supported Straub with personal
donations. Their most recent gift, a lead gift to renovate Straub’s Outpatient Cancer Treatment
Center and create a Healing Garden, has personal significance for the couple. Both are
cancer survivors.
Adelaide was first diagnosed in 1966, and Dr. Kistner was himself diagnosed three years ago.
During cancer treatments, he envisioned ways to improve the patient’s experience, to reduce
their fears and help them know what to expect. Dr. Kistner felt that a “nurse navigator” could
provide support, coordinate care, be a patient advocate and put them at ease. As Straub designs
the new Outpatient Cancer Treatment Center, Dr. Kistner also wanted to ensure
that patients are more comfortable and have privacy.
With compassion and generosity, Dr. Kistner has turned his personal experience into
a gift of immeasurable value to all cancer patients at Straub.
“To give is a habit that grows,” he says. “And, I’ve found, the rewards are very nice.”
a last wish that will
inspire generations to come.
Carlton Higa had lived with diabetes for 11 years. He suffered multiple complications, and
reached a point where modern medicine and the skilled team at Straub Clinic & Hospital could
do nothing more.
But Carlton had one more wish during his final days in Straub’s Intensive Care Unit: to feel the
warmth of the sun on his face. The palliative care team at Straub found a suitable place, on the
lanai, tucked between the Palma and Milnor buildings. They brought Carlton there and, surrounded
by friends and family, he was able to see the sky, hear the wind, feel the breeze, and
glimpse trees in the park. Then, he peacefully passed away.
Straub staff could not forget the peacefulness they had witnessed. Chaplain Nathan Kohashi
thought, “Why couldn’t we put a garden here? A place for patients, family and staff to experience
nature.” Inspired by Carlton’s final moments, Kohashi spoke with other staff. An idea was
born to create a quiet, restorative oasis for Straub’s ohana – a Healing Garden. Through the
Employee Giving Campaign, staff and friends have contributed more than half the funds, to
date, for this $300,000 project.
Adjacent to the garden, the Outpatient Cancer Treatment Center was in need of renovation and
expansion. Dr. Robert Kistner, a physician and cancer survivor, gave a lead gift toward this $2.2
million project. Both projects will soon become a reality, and will benefit patients and visitors for
generations to come.
A proposed conceptual plan of
the Healing Garden.
Three foundations. One goal. Countless connections.
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