Asthma Care in Hilo & Across Hawaiʻi — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is one of the most common chronic conditions across the lifespan, and with the right plan most people control it completely and live full, active lives. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help children and adults breathe easier.

What asthma is

In asthma, the airways are sensitive and prone to inflammation. When they react to a trigger, the lining swells, the muscles around them tighten, and they produce extra mucus, all of which make it harder to move air. Triggers vary from person to person and can include respiratory infections, allergens, smoke, exercise, cold air, and even strong emotions. Between flare-ups many people feel completely well, which is part of why a steady plan matters.

Why it matters

Well-controlled asthma should barely interfere with daily life. Poorly controlled asthma, on the other hand, leads to missed school and work, disrupted sleep, emergency visits, and, rarely, life-threatening attacks. The goal of care, as emphasized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, is not just to relieve symptoms when they happen but to prevent them, so flare-ups become rare.

How we diagnose it

We diagnose asthma from your history of symptoms and their pattern, often supported by breathing tests that measure how well air moves out of your lungs. We also look for the triggers and related conditions, such as allergies, that may be driving symptoms, since treating those is part of getting control.

How we treat and manage it

Modern asthma care, following the 2025 Global Initiative for Asthma strategy, centers on inhaled medications that calm airway inflammation, paired with a reliever for symptoms, and matched to how severe your asthma is. We choose the inhaler that fits you, make sure your technique is correct, and write a personalized asthma action plan so you know exactly what to do as symptoms change. Much of this management, including reviews and adjustments, works well by telehealth.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole person, in the spirit of lōkahi — balance and harmony among the connected parts of life: the body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, the ʻohana (family), and our relationship with the ʻāina (land) and community. In a Native Hawaiian understanding of health, these are not separate, and neither is our care. To mālama (care for and protect) your wellbeing and to live pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your whole story, welcome your ʻohana into the process, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects who you are is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see you

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaiʻi QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), ʻOhana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance, and we are accepting new patients in Hilo. Primary care works best as a partnership. Your first visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see patients in person for physical exams, vitals, and lab work, and we use telehealth for follow-up visits, medication management, and chronic-disease check-ins whenever it is clinically appropriate.

Common questions about asthma

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot usually be cured, but it can be controlled so well that it rarely affects daily life. With the right inhaler plan and trigger management, most people have few or no symptoms.

Why do I need a daily inhaler if I feel fine?

Many asthma controllers work by calming airway inflammation over time, preventing flare-ups before they start. Feeling fine often means the medicine is working, and stopping it can let symptoms return.

Can asthma be managed by telehealth?

Yes. Reviewing symptoms, checking inhaler technique, updating your action plan, and adjusting medication all work well by video, with in-person visits for breathing tests when needed.

What insurance do you accept?

We accept Medicare and Medicaid, including the Hawaii QUEST Integration plans (AlohaCare, HMSA, Ohana Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), along with most commercial insurance. We are accepting new patients in Hilo.

References

Global Initiative for Asthma. (2025). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention (2025 update). https://ginasthma.org/2025-gina-strategy-report/

Global Initiative for Asthma. (2025). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention (2025 update) [PDF]. https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GINA-2025_tracked-for-archive-WMSA.pdf

Papa Ola Lōkahi. (n.d.). Native Hawaiian health. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.papaolalokahi.org/

This page is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, written by George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you think you may have a medical condition, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP — President & Owner