Care Begins with Listening – How Palliative Care Guides
- dnakata
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Chris Rogers didn’t begin his career in healthcare. With a degree in chemistry and years spent in biotechnology and pharmaceutical labs, his path took a turn when he decided to come back home—to be near his family on Hawai‘i Island and reconnect with his roots.
“Healthcare was always part of my life,” he reflects. “My grandmother was a nurse for over 40 years, my grandfather a dentist, and both my parents were social workers. My grandma always told us that there’s no better feeling than helping others. She really believed that.”
Now serving as the Palliative Care Manager at Hawai‘i Care Choices, Chris leads a growing and deeply collaborative team called Kupu Care, which provides specialized care to individuals and families living with serious illness. Since 2012, Hawai‘i Care Choices has offered palliative services through Kupu Care, helping patients understand their diagnoses, manage symptoms, and make informed decisions that reflect what matters most to them.
“The way I describe it is this,” Chris says, “Palliative care gives people the time and space to pause, breathe, and be heard. So often, patients are in and out of doctor’s offices without fully understanding what’s happening. Our team asks the questions that often get missed: What do you want? What’s stressing you? What matters to you right now? We’re here to support not just the medical needs, but the emotional, social, and practical aspects of the journey, too.”
The Kupu Care team includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, social worker, and potentially, more. Together, they serve patients both at home and—starting July 1—in a new outpatient palliative care clinic located at 590 Kapiolani St, Hilo.
“Our clinic will allow more flexibility,” Chris explains. “We’ll now be able to offer appointments in a private, peaceful space for those who prefer visits outside the home. For now, it’ll be by appointment-only, with visits led by our APRN who specializes in helping patients plan their care according to their values and life goals.”
For many in the community, palliative care remains unfamiliar, but its impact is deeply felt. “Patients often say, ‘You’re the only ones helping me with these things,’” Chris shares. “They tell us we’re the best part of their month. And when new patients get referred, I often hear things like, ‘Oh, I’ve heard great things about that nurse.’ Our team has built trust, one family at a time.”
With a new palliative care benefit now available through MedQUEST, and a growing presence at Pōhai Mālama, Hawai‘i Care Choices is working closely with state and insurance partners to make sure that this vital benefit reaches more families who need it.
“If someone in your life is facing a serious illness, palliative care might be the support they didn’t know was available,” Chris adds. “It’s not just about medicine—it’s about listening, guiding, and honoring what matters most. And we’re honored to walk alongside them.”