Getting To The "Heart" of The Matter

Dr. Hiroo Kinami is a pediatric and congenital heart surgeon with extensive experience treating newborns, children and adults born with heart conditions. He is a clinical assistant professor at Stanford Medicine Children's Health and director of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Kinami earned his medical degree at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, then completed surgical residencies in Japan, along with fellowships there and in the United States. He has performed complex congenital heart repairs, heart transplants and more at leading children's hospitals in New York and California. He's also been a clinical instructor for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

Get to know more about Kinami and the lifesaving specialized procedures he performs at Kapiolani.

What types of patients do you usually see?

I care for newborns, children and adults who were born with heart conditions, also known as congenital heart disease. Some are diagnosed before birth, while others may not discover their condition until childhood or even adulthood. It ranges from common heart defects, such as holes in the heart or valve problems, to very complex conditions that require more specialized surgical care.

How do congenital heart defects differ from adult heart conditions?

Congenital heart defects are present at birth and are related to how the heart forms and develops. Adult heart disease usually develops over time and is often related to factors like aging, lifestyle or chronic conditions.

Because congenital heart disease affects the structure of the heart, treatment often requires highly individualized care and sometimes surgery early in life. Many patients with congenital heart disease need long-term follow-up, and some will need continuing care as adults.

Pediatric and congenital heart surgeries are very different from performing surgery on adults, which is why they require specialized training and a dedicated team.

What procedures do you perform at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children?

Kapiolani is the only medical center in Hawaii with a Pediatric Heart Center, where a specialized cardiac team cares for patients from diagnosis to treatment and comprehensive follow-up care.

Our team also offers specialized surgery for adults who were born with congenital heart disease, from teens and young adults to people in their 40s. These procedures are designed with long-term quality of life in mind and may help reduce future risks such as stroke, pregnancy complications or the need for lifelong blood-thinning medication.

Our goal is to provide advanced, compassionate treatment for patients and families close to home.

Why did you decide to specialize in pediatric cardiac surgery?

Pediatric cardiac surgery allows me to make a meaningful difference very early in a patient's life. It is a challenging field but also incredibly rewarding because the impacts can last a lifetime.

What do you love most about what you do?

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is hearing from families long after surgery. Many pediatric heart surgeons keep greeting cards and letters from families in their offices. For me, those messages are a daily reminder of why this work matters. Seeing children grow, go to school, celebrate birthdays and live full lives after heart surgery is the greatest reward and honor.

What has been the best part about your work at Kapiolani?

Kapiolani has a unique culture where advanced, specialized medical care exists alongside strong community engagement. Seeing our team participate in events like heart awareness walks and activities that encourage and celebrate children with congenital heart disease reflects the heart of this hospital. That combination of excellence in care and connection to the community is what makes Kapiolani truly special.

This article was first featured in the Feb. 25, 2026, issue of MidWeek as a part of the "Dr. in the House" series. See the full publication.

Published on: February 25, 2026