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

Childhood asthma is a common condition in which a child’s airways become inflamed and narrow, causing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, often triggered by colds, allergens, exercise, or smoke. With a good plan, nearly all children with asthma can be active and sleep well. At Ohana Care Clinic in Hilo, we help keiki breathe easy.

What asthma looks like in children

In asthma, a child’s airways are extra sensitive and react to triggers by swelling and tightening. You might notice frequent coughing, especially at night or with play, wheezing, or your child getting winded more easily than peers. Triggers commonly include respiratory infections, dust, pollen, pets, smoke, and exercise. Between flare-ups many children seem completely well, which is part of why a steady plan matters.

How we diagnose and treat it

We diagnose asthma from your child’s pattern of symptoms and, in older children, breathing tests, and we look for triggers and related allergies. Following the Global Initiative for Asthma, treatment usually pairs a controller medication that calms airway inflammation with a quick-relief inhaler for symptoms, matched to your child’s age and severity. We make sure inhaler technique is right (often with a spacer) and write a personalized asthma action plan so you and your child’s school know exactly what to do.

Staying active and well

The goal is a full, active childhood: playing sports, sleeping through the night, and rarely missing school. We follow up regularly, adjust the plan as your child grows, and partner with you on avoiding triggers. Much of this care, including reviews and adjustments, works well by telehealth.

Culturally grounded care

We care for the whole child, 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 keiki and to raise them pono (in balance and rightness), we listen to your family’s story, welcome your ʻohana into every visit, and honor the values and traditions that ground you. Offering kōkua (help given freely, with aloha) in a way that respects your family is at the heart of how we practice.

Insurance and how we see your keiki

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 pediatric patients in Hilo. Your child’s first primary-care visit is in person at our Hilo clinic. We see children in person for well-child exams, vaccines, and hands-on care, and we use telehealth for follow-ups and questions. Pediatric behavioral health with our mental-health providers can begin by video; care from our primary-care team starts with an in-office visit.

Common questions about pediatric asthma

How do I know if my child has asthma?

Common clues are frequent coughing (especially at night or with play), wheezing, getting winded easily, and symptoms triggered by colds, allergens, or exercise. We diagnose it from the pattern of symptoms and, in older children, breathing tests.

Will my child outgrow asthma?

Some children have fewer symptoms as they grow, while others continue to have asthma into adulthood. Either way, it can be controlled so well that it rarely limits daily life. We adjust the plan as your child grows.

Why does my child need a daily controller inhaler?

Controller inhalers calm airway inflammation over time and prevent flare-ups before they start. Using them as prescribed, even when your child feels well, is what keeps asthma under control.

What insurance do you accept for pediatric care?

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 pediatric 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/

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, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and 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 child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you are worried about your child’s health, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

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