By Dan Haire, president & CEO, Navian Hawaii

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day—a timely and necessary reminder that the best gift we can give our loved ones isn’t something bought or wrapped. It’s clarity. It’s peace of mind. It’s knowing what we want, and having the courage to talk about it.

At Navian Hawaii, we walk alongside individuals and families facing serious illness every day. We see the love, the heartbreak, and, all too often, the confusion that comes when families are left guessing what their loved ones would have wanted. No one wants to make those decisions in a crisis. And no one wants to leave their family carrying the emotional burden of uncertainty.

Advance care planning is about more than just medical directives. It’s about values. It’s about making sure your voice is heard, even when you may not be able to speak. It’s about ensuring your care reflects who you are—your beliefs, your wishes, and what matters most to you.

Here in Hawai‘i, where ‘ohana and community are at the heart of who we are, these conversations should come naturally. But culturally, we’re taught not to talk about death. It’s considered bad luck or too heavy. So we avoid it—until it’s too late. National Healthcare Decisions Day is an opportunity to change that.

Start small. Talk with your spouse, your children, or your trusted friend. Think about what kind of care you would want if you became seriously ill. Do you want all possible treatments, or do you prioritize comfort? Where do you want to be—at home, in a hospital, surrounded by family?

Once you’ve thought about it, write it down. Share your wishes. Designate a healthcare power of attorney. These simple steps can spare your family enormous stress—and ensure that your final days, whenever they come, are filled with dignity and meaning.

At Navian Hawaii, we’re here to help. As one of Hawai‘i’s oldest nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations, we offer resources to help individuals and families begin these conversations. We believe advance care planning isn’t just a medical decision. It’s a human one.

So on this National Healthcare Decisions Day, take a moment for yourself—and your loved ones. Make your wishes known. Give the gift of clarity, comfort, and peace.

Let’s talk about it. You’ll be glad you did.