A variety of conditions can affect your chest and lungs: infections, asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and lung disease caused by smoking or other toxins. Many heart conditions can affect your breathing and your lungs, too.

Whether you’re worried that a cold has turned into bronchitis, or you seek relief from a chronic condition like asthma, our pulmonary specialists can help.

As an organization, here are some of the conditions we treat:

• Acidosis
• Acute and chronic pulmonary embolisms
• Alkalosis
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• Central Airway Obstruction (CAO)
• Chronic pulmonary heart diseases (incl. pulmonary hypertension)
• Collapsed lung (Pneumothorax)
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Emphysema, including lung volume reduction surgery
• Empyema
• Evaluation of shortness of breath
• Fungal infections of the lung
• Granulomatous lung diseases
• Hepatopulmonary syndrome
• Interstitial lung disease
• Lung cancer
• Lung nodules
• Metastatic respiratory system cancer
• Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
• Pleural effusions and pleural infections
• Pneumonia Pneumonitis (Due to Solids or Liquids)
• Portopulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary disease
• Pulmonary edema
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pulmonary fibrosis/Interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary vascular diseases
• Pulmonary sarcoidosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Sleep apnea (OSA and CSA)
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Respiratory failure
• Tuberculosis
• Wegener's granulomatosis

COPD Support Group

Enjoy food, fellowship and information about living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Join via Zoom or in-person at the Straub Benioff Medical Library.

The lung and chest doctors at Pali Momi evaluate, diagnose and treat breathing problems and lung diseases ranging from common issues like a long-lasting cough or shortness of breath to more serious conditions like lung diseases and specialized cancer treatment.

Using the latest medical advancements, our multispecialty team develops a personalized care plan for each patient. Our experienced lung doctors (pulmonologists) provide compassionate, patient-centered care. They routinely consult with their colleagues in thoracic surgery, cardiology, infectious disease and rheumatology to ensure all aspects of a patient's condition are evaluated.

Our physicians are American Board of Internal Medicine-certified in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.

Our Services

• Bronchoscopy: A way to look inside the lungs and airways to find or treat problems. (NOTE: Need to check this with respiratory team.)
• Bronchial Thermoplasty: A treatment for severe asthma that helps open the airways.
• Bronchoprovocation Testing: A test to see how sensitive lungs are, often used to check for asthma.
• Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR): A procedure to help people with severe lung disease breathe more easily. (NOTE: Need to check this with respiratory team.)
• General Pulmonary: Care and treatment for lung and breathing conditions. (NOTE: Need to check this with respiratory team.)
• Thoracentesis: Removing fluid from around the lungs to help with breathing. (NOTE: Need to check this with respiratory team.)
• Pulmonary Function Testing: Tests that show how well lungs are working.

Pali Momi Pulmonology Services: 808-485-3085

Lung Nodule Program at Pali Momi

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. According to the American Lung Association, Hawaiʻi ranks below average in screening rates, 5-year survival rates and surgical treatment rates. Data also shows that lung cancer rates are higher in our Asian and Pacific Islander populations.

This subspecialty program aims to provide timely, evidence-based and personalized care for patients with lung nodules. Our approach focuses on early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

Often, lung nodules are found by accident during an X-ray or CT scan for something else. Most of the time, these nodules are benign or noncancerous. Even if a nodule is not cancerous, early diagnosis and tracking of lung nodules is the most effective way to detect or rule out cancer. It is important to note that even individuals who have never smoked can still be at risk for developing lung cancer.

The Lung Nodule Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists that includes:

• Pulmonologists
• Thoracic surgeons
• Radiologists
• Oncologists
• Pathologists

Our pulmonologists are highly trained in advanced procedures and perform navigational bronchoscopies and endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsies. These advanced procedures provide patients with biopsy and staging in lung cancer in one appointment. If cancer is diagnosed, we work closely with our thoracic surgeons and oncologists to expedite care and may assist with procedures such as photodynamic therapy, brachytherapy and intraoperative marking of lesions.

Our goal is to provide robust evidence-based medical therapies to Central and West Oʻahu communities. Using our cutting-edge Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform, we are able to biopsy lung nodules found along the perimeter of the lung. These nodules were previously inaccessible without surgery.

Straub Benioff pulmonary and thoracic physicians evaluate, diagnose and treat breathing disorders and lung disease.

From routine assessments of chronic cough and shortness of breath to evaluating patients for lung disease or specialized cancer treatment, Straub Benioff’s team offers a multispecialty personalized approach to care.

Straub Benioff’s lung specialists work closely with its thoracic surgeons to evaluate patients for lung disease. Other areas of expertise include lung cancer diagnosis, pulmonary vascular disease, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, endoscopic therapy, lung infections and vasodilator therapy.

Pulmonary medicine physicians routinely consult with their colleagues in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, infectious disease and rheumatology to ensure all aspects of a patient's problem are evaluated.

Straub Benioff Pulmonary Services also provides tests and diagnostics for our clinics and hospitals with blood gas analyses and services for athletes and patients with performance evaluations that test aerobic capacity.

Straub Benioff provides state-of-the-art clinical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment services.

Services include:

• Blood Gas Analysis
• Bronchial Thermoplasty (Severe Asthma Treatment)
• Diagnostic Testing
• General Pulmonary & Critical Care
• Bronchoscopy
• Thoracentesis
• Ventilation Management
• Bronchoprovocation Test Bronchoscopy – (MI diagnosis of lung cancer)
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
• Central Line Insertion (for Chemotherapy)

For the best lung and pulmonary care, visit our fellowship-trained specialists and find high quality, individualized treatment for your condition or medical needs.

Straub Benioff Lung Center - Pulmonology and Thoracic Services: 808-522-4321

Many types of lung problems require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. On the island of Kauaʻi, Wilcox provides expert care for a range of health issues affecting the lungs and chest.

1-877-709-9355