Manakai O Malama – Press Release

HMSA Adds First Naturopathic Primary Care Physician to Network

Effective July 1^st, 2016, HMSA added the first ever Naturopathic Doctor to its Primary Care Physician provider network. Dr. Landon Opunui was selected by HMSA for groundbreaking, open access to naturopathy by its members. He is one of the physicians at Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center, Hawaii’s largest integrative, multi-disciplinary medical practice, located in the Honolulu Club Building.  HMSA members with PPO and HMO policies will now have the option to choose between an ND and an MD for their primary care needs. “At Manakai, HMSA patients will have ready access to both naturopathic and conventional medicine with a collaborative, whole patient, culturally sensitive approach to care,” says Dr. Opunui.  

According to a recent NIH survey, 33% of American adults use integrative treatment. As experts in natural medicine, NDs are well-positioned to address the extraordinary increase in consumer demand for safe, effective, and cost-efficient natural health care.

NDs become licensed in the State of Hawaii to practice primary care medicine, after earning a 4-year degree from a postgraduate naturopathic medical school accredited through the US Department of Education. Naturopaths undergo intensive clinical training in hospitals and clinics as they study evidence-based natural, therapeutic methods. Individualized treatment, disease prevention and wellness education are core components.

Comparable to MD primary care providers, naturopathic doctors work to make an accurate diagnosis through patient history, physical examination, laboratory testing and imaging. They order screening tests, administer vaccinations, manage medication, and refer to specialists.

“The team-based setting at Manakai O Malama is particularly conducive to integrating effective, natural treatments safely with prescription medications, and comprehensive clinical care by psychologists, acupuncturists, physical and occupational therapists, and sleep specialists.” according to Dr. Opunui.

A Native Hawaiian and Kamehameha graduate who grew up in Hawaii, Dr. Opunui pursued his pre-medical undergraduate degree in Natural Science at Loyola Marymount University. He earned his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University, one of the most world renowned science-based institutions in natural medicine.  He then completed a post-doctorate residency program at Lokahi Health Center in Kailua-Kona where he studied cancer treatment outcomes which utilize adjunctive and integrative natural medical approaches.

As a 5-time Ironman triathlon finisher, 4 year NCAA Division 1 athlete and competitive outrigger paddler, Dr. Opunui strives to model healthy behavior for his patients while inspiring them to optimize their health potential.  With interests in primary care, genetics, metabolic disease, pain management, sports medicine, mood disorders and oncology, Dr. Opunui believes that everyone deserves a safe place to heal and be heard.

For HMSA PPO and HMO patients, to make Dr. Opunui your primary care doctor:

Call HMSA Customer Relations on Oahu at 808-948-6372 or toll-free at 1-800-776-4672 or

Manakai O Malama
Integrative Health Care Group and Rehabilitation Center
P: (808) 535-5555  Fax: (808) 535-5556
932 Ward Avenue, 6th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96814
http://manakaiomalama.com