Many conditions can affect your chest and lungs. Infections, asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and lung disease can leave you breathless. Many heart conditions can affect your breathing and your lungs, too.

Whether a cold may have turned into bronchitis, or you need relief from a condition like asthma, our pulmonary specialists can help.

As an organization, here are some of the conditions we treat:

• Acidosis
• Acute and chronic pulmonary embolisms
• Alkalosis
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• Central Airway Obstruction (CAO)
• Chronic pulmonary heart diseases (incl. pulmonary hypertension)
• Collapsed lung (Pneumothorax)
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Emphysema, including lung volume reduction surgery
• Empyema
• Evaluation of shortness of breath
• Fungal infections of the lung
• Granulomatous lung diseases
• Hepatopulmonary syndrome
• Interstitial lung disease
• Lung cancer
• Lung nodules
• Metastatic respiratory system cancer
• Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
• Pleural effusions and pleural infections
• Pneumonia Pneumonitis (Due to Solids or Liquids)
• Portopulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary disease
• Pulmonary edema
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pulmonary fibrosis/Interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary vascular diseases
• Pulmonary sarcoidosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Sleep apnea (OSA and CSA)
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Respiratory failure
• Tuberculosis
• Wegener's granulomatosis

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. Data also shows that lung cancer rates are higher in our Asian and Pacific Islander populations.

This program aims to personalized care for patients with lung nodules. Our approach focuses on early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

Often, lung nodules are found during an X-ray or CT scan for something else. Most of the time, these nodules are benign or noncancerous. Even if a nodule is not cancerous, early diagnosis and tracking is important to detect or rule out cancer. Even individuals who have never smoked can still be at risk for developing lung cancer.

The Lung Nodule Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists that includes:

• Pulmonologists

• Thoracic surgeons

• Radiologists

• Oncologists

• Pathologists

Our pulmonologists are trained in advanced procedures and perform navigational bronchoscopies and endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsies. These advanced procedures provide patients with biopsy and staging in lung cancer in one appointment.

We work closely with thoracic surgeons and oncologists if cancer is diagnosed. This expedites care and may assist with photodynamic therapy, brachytherapy and intraoperative marking of lesions.

Our goal is to provide evidence-based medical therapies to Central and West Oʻahu. With our cutting-edge Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform, we are able to biopsy lung nodules found along the perimeter of the lung. These nodules were previously inaccessible without surgery.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are tests that show how well your lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange.

This helps your provider diagnose and determine treatment of certain lung disorders.

Get support for children needing lung-function testing through the Pediatric Pulmonary Function Test Laboratory (PFT Lab) at Kapiʻolani. Our child-centric lab helps keiki give their best effort providing more accurate diagnoses.

The PFT Lab supports patients who need oxygen for every day activities like shopping.

Our trained care givers understand children and their needs. This enables them to get the best results for your child.

• Spirometry: Tests the maximum force of a patient’s breath after inhalation and exhalation.
• Plethysmography: Measures lung volume.
• Diffusion: Measures gas exchange from lungs to blood stream.
• Bronchodilator testing: Tests lung function and effectiveness of medication.
• Exercise testing: Tests of exercise capacity, including six-minute walk and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), to help evaluate lung function.
• High-altitude simulation testing: Determines if supplemental oxygen is needed when flying on an airplane.
• Tracheostomy manometry: Aids in tracheostomy management.
• Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure tests: Measures lung muscle strength.

Enjoy food, fellowship and information about living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Join via Zoom or in-person at the Straub Benioff Medical Library.

Pulmonary function tests are by referral only. If you are concerned about your child’s lung health, please speak with their pediatrician, primary care provider or pulmonologist. They will help determine if lung function testing is right for your child.