Oahu Veterans Center: 2026 Complete Guide for Hawaii Veterans

Oahu Veterans Center: 2026 Complete Guide for Hawaii Veterans

The Oahu Veterans Center (OVC) is a community facility at 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, HI 96818, operated by the Oahu Veterans Council to host veteran events and provide resource referrals. It is not a VA medical facility or crisis intervention provider. For VA counseling services, veterans should contact the Honolulu Vet Center at 1680 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite F-3, or the West Oahu Vet Center at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei.

Quick Facts

What Is the Oahu Veterans Center?

The Oahu Veterans Center (OVC) is a community facility operated by the Oahu Veterans Council (OVC), a nonprofit organization composed of representatives from veteran organizations across the island of Oahu. It is located at 1298 Kukila Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The OVC is not a VA medical center, not a Vet Center, and not a direct provider of emergency financial assistance, housing placement, or crisis intervention services. It serves as a central gathering place and resource hub for veterans and veteran organizations.

The Oahu Veterans Council is an organization compromised of representatives from all veterans organizations on the Island of Oahu, who meet monthly for mutual benefit. The Council exists to maintain veteran records and display items of historical value, as well as to provide a facility for community-related activities.

Why it matters: The OVC serves as a central coordination point for veteran services, events, and information on Oahu. It hosts Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) events that bring together VA benefits staff, healthcare enrollment teams, and community organizations to provide one-on-one assistance to veterans.

What veterans should do next: If you need VA healthcare or counseling, contact the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center (808-433-0600) or a Vet Center directly. If you need event space for a veteran organization or want to attend a community event, contact the OVC at 808-422-4000.

Oahu Veterans Center Services

The Oahu Veterans Center offers meeting and event space, resource referrals, and community coordination. It does not provide direct medical, mental health, or financial assistance services.

Meeting and Event Space

The OVC rents its halls for meetings, seminars, and training events. Available spaces include:

• Sullivan Hall — Large hall with capacity for up to 280 people by fire code. High arched ceiling, four double doors, plenty of windows. Includes chairs, tables, air conditioning, WiFi, audio/visual equipment, sink, fridge/freezer, and free parking.

• Ballard Hall — Large hall with capacity for up to 220 people. High flat ceiling, recessed sink area, paved pathway, and AstroTurf lanai area.

• Sullivan Hall 1 & 2 — Partitioned medium-sized halls (38ft x 38ft and 38ft x 30ft) ideal for meetings, seminars, and training.

• Cruickshank Hall — Small hall with capacity for up to 60 attendees, often used as a dining hall in conjunction with a large hall. Connected to a commercial kitchen.

All halls include chairs, tables, air conditioning, WiFi, audio/visual equipment, and free parking. An 85″ Smart TV is available for an additional cost.

Resource Referrals

The OVC provides information and referrals to connect veterans and families with appropriate agencies. The organization maintains a veteran resource directory that includes contact information and links for:

• VA medical facilities on Oahu, including Tripler Army Medical Center and the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic

• VA benefits, disability claims, pensions, and accredited claims assistance

• Homelessness prevention and permanent housing programs

• Crisis assistance and emergency support programs

Important: The OVC is not a direct provider of emergency financial assistance, housing placement, or crisis intervention services. Eligibility, funding availability, and final determinations are made solely by the organizations listed in the resource directory.

Veterans Experience Action Center Events

The OVC hosts Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) events in collaboration with the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System and the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services. These events provide:

• One-on-one assistance with VA benefits claims and appeals

• VA healthcare enrollment

• VA pre-burial program enrollment

• Community support for issues VA and the State cannot provide

• Peer-to-peer connection

• Access to education, employment, community mental health, temporary financial assistance, pro bono legal assistance, housing, and food banks

Oahu Veterans Council

The Oahu Veterans Council is composed of representatives from over 35 Oahu veteran organizations representing over 80,000 veterans and their families. The Council serves as an advocacy and coordination body for veteran issues on Oahu.

VA Vet Centers on Oahu

Oahu has two VA Vet Centers that provide readjustment counseling and mental health services to veterans, service members, and their families at no cost. These are separate from the Oahu Veterans Center.

Honolulu Vet Center

The Honolulu Vet Center offers confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a comfortable setting.

Location: 1680 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite F-3, Honolulu, HI 96814-3700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (non-traditional hours available; call for details)
24/7 Call Center: 877-927-8387

Services:

• Counseling for the effects of military trauma

• Readjustment counseling for combat-related issues

• Assessment and counseling for PTSD

• Military sexual trauma (MST) counseling

• Family counseling

• Bereavement counseling

• Employment counseling

• Information about VA services and benefits

• Referral to community resources

The Honolulu Vet Center offers 10 different counseling groups, including groups focusing on combat, sexual trauma, bereavement, family members, life skills, and meditation.

Eligibility: War zone veterans of any era (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq) and their family members. Personnel who served in mortuary affairs, mental health, or operated unmanned surveillance aircraft also qualify.

You do not need to be registered for care at VA, rated for a service-connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits to use Vet Center services.

First visit documents: Bring discharge documents (DD214), receipt of certain awards, deployment orders, or other documents showing qualifying military service. If you don’t have these documents, staff can work with you to establish eligibility.

Additional services:

• VBA staff visit monthly to provide assistance with VA claims and other benefits issues (by appointment only)

• Quarterly Resource Trio Gathering with Catholic Charities Hawai’i and the Veterans Business Outreach Centers of the Pacific

West Oahu Vet Center

The West Oahu Vet Center provides confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting.

Location: The West Oahu Vet Center is located within the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA CBOC at the end of the left wing across from the VA Benefits Office. 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707.

Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
24/7 Call Center: 877-927-8387

Services:

• Counseling for depression, PTSD, and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST)

• Connection to more support in VA and the community

• Individual and group counseling

• Crisis intervention for walk-in veterans

Eligibility: Same as Honolulu Vet Center. You do not need to be registered for VA care or rated for a service-connected disability.

Parking: Follow signs to Patient/Visitor Parking Lot A. Enter through the main clinic entrance and proceed to the left wing. The West Oahu Vet Center is at the end of the left wing across from the VA Benefits Office.

Bus routes: Route 41 Kapolei/Ewa Beach, Route 415 Kapolei/Kalaeloa, and Route 301 Tripler/Kalihi Transit Center have stops within 10 minutes walking distance from the Akaka VA Clinic.

Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center

The Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center is the primary VA medical facility on Oahu. It provides comprehensive healthcare services to veterans throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.

Location: 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: 808-433-0600 | 800-214-1306
Website: hawaii.va.gov

Services at Spark M. Matsunaga VAMC

The facility provides outpatient primary medical care, mental health care, dental care, and specialized outpatient treatment through programs including:

• Cardiology

• Dental

• Dermatology

• Gastroenterology

• Mental Health (Group and Individual)

• OB/GYN

• Occupational Therapy

• Optometry

• Orthopedics

• Pain Medicine

The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) serves an estimated 127,600 veterans throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. The system provides outpatient medical and mental health care through a main Ambulatory Care Clinic on Oahu and through five Community Based Outpatient Clinics on neighboring islands including Hawaii (Hilo and Kona), Maui, Kauai, and Guam.

Center for Aging

Long-term and transitional rehabilitative care services are provided by the VA’s 60-bed Center for Aging, located on the Tripler Army Medical Center grounds. VA-staffed inpatient psychiatric care and partial hospitalization care are also provided within a 20-bed VA-operated ward at Tripler Army Medical Center.

Home Based Primary Care

Home Based Primary Care is provided on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii (Hilo and Kona), and Kauai (Lihue).

National Center for PTSD — Pacific Islands Division

The National Center for PTSD — Pacific Islands Division is a Center of Excellence for research and education on the prevention, understanding, and treatment of PTSD.

Location: 3375 Koapaka Street, Suite I-560, Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: 808-566-1546

Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic

The Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic is a state-of-the-art outpatient facility in Kapolei that opened in April 2024. It is the newest VA healthcare facility on Oahu and houses the West Oahu Vet Center.

Location: 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707

Services at the Akaka VA Clinic

The 88,675 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic provides:

• Primary care

• Specialty clinics including audiology, women’s health, nephrology, mental health, and prosthetics

• Diagnostic services including CT, X-ray, and MRI

• Laboratory, dental clinic, optometry, and pharmacy

• Urgent care center

• Whole Health services

• West Oahu Vet Center

• Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) office

• Brew Cafe canteen

VA Benefits Enrollment for Oahu Veterans

Before you can receive VA healthcare at any Oahu facility, you must enroll in VA health care. Enrollment is free, and most veterans qualify for at least some level of coverage.

How to Apply for VA Health Care

Online: Apply through VA.gov using VA Form 10-10EZ.

By phone: Call 1-877-222-8387 (VA Health Eligibility Center).

By mail: Download and mail VA Form 10-10EZ to your local VA medical center.

In person: Visit the eligibility office at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819.

Required Documents for Enrollment

Bring or submit the following documents with your VA Form 10-10EZ:

• Copies of your DD214 or other discharge documents

• Copies of any VA disability award letters

• Income information from the previous calendar year

• Copies of current ID cards for other health coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or private insurance)

VA Benefits Office on Oahu

The Honolulu VA Regional Benefit Office is located at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center. Benefits counselors can assist with:

• VA disability compensation claims

• Pension benefits

• VA home loan guarantees

• Education benefits

• Survivor benefits

Location: Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819

To schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor, use the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA).

Hawaii State Benefits for Veterans

Hawaii offers several state-level benefits for veterans, including property tax exemptions, vehicle registration fee exemptions, and burial benefits.

Hawaii Property Tax Exemption for Totally Disabled Veterans

Real property owned and occupied as a home by a veteran who is totally disabled due to injuries received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is exempted from all property taxes, other than special assessments.

Key requirements:

• The veteran must be totally disabled due to injuries received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces

• The home must be owned and occupied by the veteran as their primary residence

• The exemption continues as long as the veteran remains totally disabled

• The exemption also extends to the widow or widower of a totally disabled veteran who remains unmarried and continues to own and occupy the premises

How to apply: Apply through your county’s real property tax office. Each Hawaii county has its own assessment rate, eligibility requirements, and forms for their exemption. The deadline for many exemptions is September 30.

Honolulu Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption for Senior Veterans

In November 2025, the Honolulu City Council passed Bill 62, which exempts the $20 annual City and County of Honolulu motor vehicle registration fee for one vehicle belonging to an Oahu veteran who:

• Was not dishonorably discharged

• Is aged 65 or older

Effective date: July 1, 2026

Proof of military service is required to obtain the exemption.

Hawaii Office of Veterans Services

The Hawaii Office of Veterans Services (HOVS) provides information and referral services, burial assistance, and coordination of veteran benefits. The office is established in the Department of Defense for administrative purposes.

Oahu Office Location: Tripler Army Medical Center, E-Wing, Room 1-A103, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: 808-433-0420
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

HOVS maintains satellite offices on Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), and Kauai. The office assists with burial in county veterans’ cemeteries and coordination of funeral activities.

VA Aid and Attendance for Hawaii Veterans

Veterans who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. The 2024 Aid & Attendance maximum for Hawaii was $2,300 per month for a single veteran.

Eligibility: Must have served 90 days of active duty, including 1 day during wartime. The veteran must require assistance with activities of daily living, be bedridden, legally blind, or in a nursing home.

Apply by writing to the Pension Management Center or through VA.gov. The Honolulu VA Regional Office can provide assistance.

Oahu Veterans Center vs. VA Facilities: Key Differences

The Oahu Veterans Center is often confused with VA medical facilities or Vet Centers. Understanding the differences helps veterans access the right services.

Key takeaway: If you need counseling, contact a Vet Center. If you need medical care, contact the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center or Akaka VA Clinic. If you need event space or resource referrals, contact the Oahu Veterans Center.

Common Mistakes Veterans Make

Avoiding these mistakes can save time and ensure you reach the right facility for your needs.

Confusing the Oahu Veterans Center with a Vet Center

The Oahu Veterans Center is a community event space, not a counseling facility. Veterans seeking mental health or readjustment counseling should contact the Honolulu Vet Center (808-973-8387) or West Oahu Vet Center (877-927-8387).

Not Enrolling in VA Health Care First

You must be enrolled in VA health care before you can receive care at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center or Akaka VA Clinic. Apply using VA Form 10-10EZ online or at the eligibility office.

Waiting for a Routine Appointment During a Crisis

Vet Centers offer walk-in crisis services. If you are in immediate crisis, walk in to either Vet Center or call the 24/7 Vet Center Call Center at 877-927-8387. The Veterans Crisis Line is also available at 988 (press 1) or text 838255.

Not Knowing the Property Tax Exemption Deadline

Hawaii’s property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans requires application through your county. The deadline for many exemptions is September 30. Missing it means waiting another year.

Assuming Vet Center Services Require VA Enrollment

Vet Center services are available to war zone veterans and their families regardless of VA enrollment or service-connected disability rating. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to receive Vet Center counseling.

Forgetting the DD214 for Vet Center Visits

On your first visit to a Vet Center, bring discharge documents (DD214), deployment orders, or other documents showing qualifying military service. If you don’t have these, staff can work with you to establish eligibility.

Common Questions

What is the Oahu Veterans Center?

The Oahu Veterans Center (OVC) is a community facility at 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, HI 96818, operated by the Oahu Veterans Council. It provides event space rental, resource referrals, and hosts VEAC events. It is not a VA medical facility or counseling center.

What is the phone number for the Oahu Veterans Center?

The phone number is 808-422-4000. The center is located at 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, HI 96818.

Is the Oahu Veterans Center a VA facility?

No. The Oahu Veterans Center is operated by the Oahu Veterans Council, a nonprofit organization. It is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For VA healthcare, contact the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center at 808-433-0600.

What is the difference between the Oahu Veterans Center and the Honolulu Vet Center?

The Oahu Veterans Center is a community event space and resource referral hub. The Honolulu Vet Center is a VA counseling center that provides readjustment counseling, PTSD treatment, and family counseling at no cost to war zone veterans and their families.

How do I contact the Honolulu Vet Center?

The Honolulu Vet Center is at 1680 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite F-3, Honolulu, HI 96814. The 24/7 call center is 877-927-8387. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..

Where is the West Oahu Vet Center located?

The West Oahu Vet Center is located within the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic at 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707. It is at the end of the left wing across from the VA Benefits Office.

Do I need to be enrolled in VA health care to use Vet Center services?

No. You do not need to be registered for care at VA, rated for a service-connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits to use Vet Center services. Bring discharge documents or deployment orders to your first visit.

What services does the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center provide?

The facility provides primary care, cardiology, dental, dermatology, gastroenterology, mental health (group and individual), OB/GYN, occupational therapy, optometry, orthopedics, and pain medicine.

Does Hawaii offer a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?

Yes. Hawaii law exempts real property owned and occupied as a home by a veteran who is totally disabled due to injuries received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from all property taxes, other than special assessments. Apply through your county’s real property tax office.

What is the Veterans Crisis Line number?

Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net. Available 24/7. The Vet Center Call Center is also available 24/7 at 877-927-8387.

How do I enroll in VA health care on Oahu?

Apply online at VA.gov using VA Form 10-10EZ, call 1-877-222-8387, or visit the eligibility office at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819.

What is the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic?

The Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic is an 88,675 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic in Kapolei that opened in April 2024. It houses primary care, specialty clinics, diagnostic services, an urgent care center, the West Oahu Vet Center, and a VBA office.

Does the Oahu Veterans Center provide emergency housing assistance?

No. The OVC is not a direct provider of emergency financial assistance, housing placement, or crisis intervention services. It provides information and referrals to connect veterans with appropriate agencies. For emergency housing, call the VA Homeless Program Coordinator hotline.

How do I rent space at the Oahu Veterans Center?

Contact the OVC at 808-422-4000 or visit theovc.org to check hall availability and submit a reservation request. Available halls include Sullivan Hall, Ballard Hall, Sullivan Hall 1 & 2, and Cruickshank Hall.

What is the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services phone number?

The Oahu office is at Tripler Army Medical Center, E-Wing, Room 1-A103, 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819. Phone: 808-433-0420. Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..

Key Takeaways

• The Oahu Veterans Center is a community facility at 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu, HI 96818, operated by the Oahu Veterans Council — not a VA medical facility.

• Honolulu Vet Center (1680 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite F-3) and West Oahu Vet Center (91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave, Kapolei) provide free readjustment counseling and PTSD treatment.

• Vet Center services do not require VA enrollment or a service-connected disability rating. Bring a DD214 or deployment orders to your first visit.

• Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center (459 Patterson Road, Honolulu) is the primary VA medical facility on Oahu. Phone: 808-433-0600.

• Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei houses the West Oahu Vet Center, a VBA office, urgent care, and specialty clinics.

• Hawaii property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans exempts the primary residence from all property taxes. Apply through your county by September 30.

• Honolulu vehicle registration fee exemption for veterans aged 65+ takes effect July 1, 2026. Proof of military service required.

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 (press 1), text 838255, or chat online. Available 24/7.

• Vet Center Call Center: 877-927-8387, available 24/7.

• VA health care enrollment: Apply with VA Form 10-10EZ online, by phone (1-877-222-8387), or in person at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center.

Official Resources

• VA Pacific Islands Health Care System: va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care

• Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center: va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/locations/spark-m-matsunaga-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center

• Honolulu Vet Center: va.gov/honolulu-vet-center

• West Oahu Vet Center: va.gov/west-oahu-vet-center

• Oahu Veterans Center / Oahu Veterans Council: theovc.org

• VA Health Care Eligibility: va.gov/health-care/eligibility

• VA Form 10-10EZ: va.gov/forms/10-10ez

• Veterans Crisis Line: veteranscrisisline.net

• VA Facility Locator: va.gov/find-locations

• Hawaii Office of Veterans Services: veterans.hawaii.gov

• VA Aid and Attendance: va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: va.gov