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

what price sight?
Takako and
Dr. Glenn Kokame
Eyesight is a most precious sense to retain throughout your lifetime. But in Hawaii, where
diabetes occurs at twice the national average, many people develop vision problems,
even blindness.
The Retina Center at Pali Momi is helping people save their eyesight. Takako “Tak” Kokame
was eager to contribute. Her generous gift to the Retina Research Fund, through the Kapi‘olani
Health Foundation, supports continuing education and clinical trials on macular degeneration
and diabetic retinopathy, the most common causes of blindness in Hawaii.
“I hope others will also realize the important research going on at The Retina Center,” Tak says.
“We want to make sure the most recent treatments are brought to Hawaii for people with
retinal problems.”
Tak’s gift also supports her son, Dr. Gregg Kokame, in memory of her late husband, Dr. Glenn
Kokame. “I feel very blessed that Gregg can help the community through his work as the Retina
Center’s medical director, and I’m happy to support it,” she says.
looking ahead…
The sprightly 77-year-old faced an uncertain future. Her vision was going downhill.
Watching the news, she noticed the newscaster’s nose started to appear
by his eye. Things quickly got worse.
“My depth perception was thrown off. I became fearful of going
down an escalator because I couldn’t distinguish where
to step,” says Harriet Weissman. “It was difficult to tell the
difference between red and green on a traffic light. I’d need
to be just three inches away from you to
recognize you.”
Advised to see a specialist, Weissman went to The Retina Center
at Pali Momi. She was diagnosed with macular degeneration,
the leading cause of blindness in Hawaii. “There’s nothing worse
than losing your eyesight,” she says.
Retina specialist Dr. Gregg Kokame told Weissman
she was a candidate for a new drug
treatment. The Retina Center was the
only facility in Hawaii selected to offer
this drug trial. This gave Weissman
access to a new treatment – three
years before it came to market.
Today, Harriet has regained vision
in one eye. She’s reclaimed
her independence, drives
to her weekly Mah Jongg
game, plays without a magnifying
glass, writes her own
checks and reads.
“I’m a miracle on two legs,”
she beams.
Harriet Weissman
Three foundations. One goal. Countless connections.
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