Practice, Pain Management

Christopher “Scott” Acree is a Board Certified Physician’s Assistant in Primary Care. He joined the Manakai O Malama team in December 2013. He specializes in general medicine, chronic pain management, and minor outpatient procedures.  He earned his degree in 1998 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a BS in Physician Assistant Studies. He served in the United States Air Force from 1996 – 2003 where he achieved the rank of Captain, serving as a linguist and later a Certified Physician’s Assistant.

He speaks Spanish and Vietnamese conversationally. Having moved to Hawaii in June 2009, he has embraced the local culture stating, “The social differences of the local Hawaiians are very unique and allow excellent experience in dealing with people from different ethnic backgrounds of the many pacific islands.”

Family Nurse Practitioner

Julie Rizzolo is a Family Nurse Practitioner, FNP, that is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She graduated from Simmons College in 2018 with her FNP degree. Prior to becoming a FNP, Julie was an ICU nurse in the Washington D.C area for over 5 years specializing in Trauma and Transplant services. Her nursing degree was received in 2008 from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

She moved to Hawaii in May 2018 and has been embracing the local culture since then. She enjoys hiking, cooking, snorkeling, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Naturopathic 

As a local boy and Kamehameha graduate, Dr. Opunui left the islands to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science at Loyola Marymount University while competing as a 4 year NCAA Division I athlete in the sport of rowing. Dr. Opunui then went on to pursue his Naturopathic Doctorate at Bastyr University, one of the most world renowned science-based institutions of natural health.  Bastyr’s rigorous medical program provided him with deep medical knowledge, an awareness of the most innovative developments in medicine, and the creativity to formulate individualized and effective intervention strategies to manage, cure and prevent disease. 

Dr. Opunui is a firm believer in the naturopathic principle of Docere (Doctor as Teacher) and agrees whole-heartedly that in order to effectively teach, one must practice what they preach.  Dr. Opunui strives to exemplify health promoting behavior and balance as a competitive endurance athlete having finished 5 Ironman triathlons. Health promotion counseling is at the forefront of successful naturopathic healing which consists of educating patients on how various determinants of health such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, environment, mental and emotional well-being, and ones sense of purpose in life creates the framework for health and one’s capacity to live and be well.

With an interest in cardiometabolic disease, endocrine disorders, autoimmune disease, GI pathologies, mood disorders, oncology and Native Hawaiian health, Dr. Opunui is honored to return to the place he calls home with the responsibility of serving the health needs of his community as a naturopathic physician.  Dr. Opunui believes that everyone deserves a safe place to heal and be heard. In private practice, Dr. Opunui’s passion lies in developing relationships with his patients and their health through comprehensive integrative natural medical care and individualized support.  

Family Nurse Practitioner

AnaBelen Taylor is a Family Nurse Practitioner, FNP, certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She graduated from UCLA in 2020 with her FNP degree.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Mount St Mary’s University in 2012. Prior to becoming an NP, she worked as a registered nurse for 8 years in the ICU, Med-surgical and out-patient setting.  She spent half of her career working with infectious diseases, pulmonary conditions, Rheumatology, Diabetes, endocrine, metabolic disorders, oncology, and bone marrow transplant within the pediatric population in Los Angeles, CA. In the last half of her RN career, she worked with the adult population in the ICU burn and in the out-patient setting as disease management and health coach RN. 

 She obtained her Integrative Nutrition Health coach certification in 2017 and since then has been educating families on lifestyle changes, nutrition, incorporating yoga and meditation to improve their health.  AnaBelen became a certified yoga teacher by Yoga works in Los Angeles, to help patients navigate life with chronic conditions. 

In her free time AnaBelen enjoys spending time with her dog, Zen. She also enjoys running, surfing, hiking, yoga, swimming, reading, and being in nature. She enjoys being part of projects to Mālama ka ‘aina. Since she relocated to O’ahu in 2020, she loves volunteering with Mālama Na Honu. She is fluent in Spanish and her Ōlelo Hawaiʻi it’s a work in progress. She was born in Nicaragua, but grew up mostly in Costa Rica. 

Nurse Practitioner

Sarah Pirani is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner—FNP by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Chatham University in Pennsylvania and Master of Science & Nurse Practitioner Education from McMaster University in Canada. Her clinical experience includes primary care, mental health and psychiatry, neurosurgery, and wound care. Prior to her nursing career, she worked two years as an internal medicine resident physician in Shanghai, China after graduating from medical school. 

Sarah also works as an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii, teaching in various levels of nursing programs. In her spare time, Sarah loves to connect with nature. Trail walking, Yoga, and gardening are her favorite hobbies. She always cherishes spending time with family and friends.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Ambie Fowler is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and American Nurse Credentialing Center. She completed her Master’s degree with distinction from Hawaii Pacific University in 2019. Her background as a registered nurse includes 15 years of Emergency Medicine, Ambulatory Surgery and Medical ICU patient care in both military and civilian health care facilities. 

She relocated to Hawaii  with her family in 2016. She enjoys spending time with her children experiencing the cultural diversity that Hawaii has to offer. Her hobbies include hiking, boating, diving and culinary experiences. She speaks conversational French and loves to travel.

Psychologist

Julie Yurie Takishima-Lacasa, Ph.D., obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and is a National Register of Health Service Psychologist. She specializes in providing integrated behavioral health services in a primary care setting, working closely with medical providers to address behavioral factors in chronic illness care, physical symptoms associated with stress, and health behavior change. As a generalist, she treats a broad range of mental health problems and disorders across the developmental spectrum, and has specialized training in the treatment of eating and personality disorders. In her research position at the University of Hawai‘i she focuses on addressing disparities in the accessibility and utilization of effective, culturally informed behavioral health services for at-risk, rural communities of Hawai‘i. Julie is also very active in local and national legislative advocacy for the profession of psychology and the communities psychologists serve. Julie was born in Japan, and was raised between the U.S. and her country of birth. In her free time, Julie is an avid trail runner and surfer.

Acupuncturist

Laurel is a board certified acupuncturist with a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is also a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Nursing and Human Communication. Her journey with acupuncture began as a patient more than 20 years ago and prompted her exploration into a variety of healing modalities. Thus far, her journey has culminated in several different healing arts certifications, including Level IV certification in Healing Touch and a Certified Yoga Instructor, and has landed her where she is today. She is passionate about transforming the concepts of health and healthcare through acupuncture and integrative medicine.

She is originally from Colorado, but has bounced around the Western part of the US and has also lived abroad in Japan. She loves spending time outside and connecting with nature. In her spare time she can often be caught at the beach jogging or practicing yoga and meditation

Occupational Therapist

Peggy Fye has over 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She has specialized in manual therapy for 15 years, with extensive experience in gentle techniques including Craniosacral, Strain/Counterstrain, Mobilizations with Movement, Muscle Energy, Myofascial Release, and Trigger point therapy. She enjoys treating chronic pain conditions, and can treat patients of all ages because the therapies are so gentle. She also believes in teaching self strategies so patients can participate in their own healing.

She moved to Hawaii 4 years ago from Kansas, where she was a Jay Hawk from the University of Kansas, collected Wizard of Oz memorabilia, and dodged tornadoes.

Physical Therapist

Steve Thomas has been practicing physical therapy since 2004 when he graduated from the University of North Dakota.  In 2007, he continued his education and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  Steve’s focus is general orthopedics, but because of his experience as both a high school and collegiate athlete, he has a passion for treating sports medicine patients as well.

Physical Therapist

Lia has been practicing physical therapy since 2005 after graduating from Pacific University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Born and raised on Maui, Lia has been greatly enjoying her recent return back to Hawaii after practicing in Portland, Oregon for over 10 years. She is certified in ASTYM soft tissue therapy, and enjoys helping people return to activity, sport, and work.

Physical Therapist

Fabienne earned a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from State University of New York in Buffalo in 1983. She moved to Hawaii that same year where she began to practice physical therapy full-time. In 1997 she opened a physical therapy practice in Guam and spent the next three years there serving as the lead physical therapist. She has since moved back to Oahu permanently and lives on the North Shore. Fabienne specializes in the treatment of orthopedic injuries, with particular expertise in spine rehabilitation. She also works closely with patients to encourage them to move forward in their lives, beyond the pain and disability they have been dealing with.

Physical Therapist

Nani earned her PTA license from Oregon State University and a PTA certificate from Kapiolani Community College in 1996. She has 15 years of experience in outpatient rehabilitation and offers particular expertise in orthopedics. Nani was born and raised on Oahu where she first became interested in integrative healthcare.

Acupuncturist

Born and raised in Ireland, Alia received her Social Work degree from Trinity College, Dublin. Ten years in California exploring various healing and life enhancing arts led her to the study of acupuncture. She moved to Hawaii in 1993 where she received her Master Degree in Oriental Medicine from Tai Hsuan Foundation. She currently lives in Honolulu and practices acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at Manakai O Malama.

Acupuncture

Tara Mattes graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A in World Religions and Biology. Upon graduation her career took her to various parts of the world where she eventually encountered acupuncture. Determined to learn more about this art, she was fortunate enough to land in Hawaii where she choose to study under Taoist Master, Dr. Chang Yi Hsiang, Ph. D. at the Tai Hsuan College of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. She has had a wide variety of experience from women’s health, addiction and recovery, to pain management. She currently practices at Manakai O Malama.

Massage Therapist

Born in Tibet and trained in India as Tibetan Buddhist monk, Lama was assigned by his elder brother His Eminence the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche to teach meditation in Hawaii. He has followed these instructions over the past 21 years. In 2012 he pursued his education in massage therapy, acquiring his license in 2014. Since that time Lama has worked at Manakai O Malama as a medical massage therapist providing his patients with a variety of massage techniques including Swedish, Shiatsu, and Lomi Lomi with the goal of reducing pain, increasing circulation, and improving range of motion. Lama incorporates his training as a monk and meditation leader into his massage sessions, providing patients with a unique experience.