Tag-Team Care Across Medical Centers Helps Family Man Return to Active Lifestyle

Pat Hokoana lives a healthy and active lifestyle. He works as a rigger for Pearl Harbor and serves as a wrestling coach for Kamehameha Schools.

Pat is seen by his family as a protector, and his passion for wrestling inspired his six children to pursue the sport.

That's why it came as a surprise when, on March 3, 2023, Pat fell very ill and left work early. He developed a bad cough and struggled to breathe. Two days later, his wife, Noe, and their 15-year-old daughter, Anela, noticed Pat gasping for air.

Noe rushed Pat to the Emergency Department at Pali Momi Medical Center. There, it was discovered that Pat's oxygen levels were extremely low, while his heart rate was above average. He also had a severe case of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Pat took a turn for the worse overnight and fell into a coma with a heart function of 10%. His care team labeled him as the "sickest man in the state."

He needed to be put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and for that, he would need to be transported to Straub Benioff Medical Center. Due to recent efforts by Hawaii Pacific Health's medical centers and care providers to collaborate on ECMO training and transport, Dr. John Kao and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab team at Pali Momi were able to insert cannulas, which are plastic tubes that connect a patient to the ECMO machine, and stabilize Pat enough to be transported for further care.

Over the course of a month, Pat recovered under the care of Straub Benioff's team of cardiac, respiratory and intensive care specialists. His heart function increased along with his strength. Due to the toll his illness took on his body, Pat needed to relearn how to eat, drink and walk.

Just shy of his one-year anniversary of undergoing ECMO treatment, Pat is doing well. He is back at work and continues to coach wrestling. He was even at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships where he proudly cheered for Anela, who placed second overall.

Watch the video below for Pat's full story and to hear more about this inspiring story of hope.

Published on: November 18, 2024