Talk Story with an Advertiser: Maika‘i Veterinary Clinic, LLC
There are lots of reasons that make Hilo’s Maika‘i Veterinary Clinic unique. One is that they treat various small animals, avians, and exotics; another is they are open seven days a week for appointments, with two full-time doctors on staff, and also offer tele-medicine.
Dr. Alfred Mina comments, “I started this business to give back to the community I grew up in, by helping both humans and their pets. I have been a veterinarian for 21 years, but in this industry since I was in high school, working for other local veterinarians.”
Dr. Mina was born on Kaua‘i and raised on Hawai‘i Island. After graduating from Hilo High School, he obtained a bachelor of science in agriculture and a bachelor of arts in biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. In 2000, Dr. Mina graduated with his doctor of veterinary medicine from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine before heading home to Hilo where he’s been practicing ever since.
Dr. Mina’s special areas of interest are emergency medicine, avian and exotic animal medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Although his patients are mostly dogs and cats, he also provides medical care for injured endangered birds and birds of prey of Hawai‘i.
Assisting Dr. Mina is Dr. Malia Lyons. Dr. Lyons was born on O‘ahu, raised on Hawai‘i Island, and graduated from Waiakea High School. She originally pursued a degree in agriculture at the University of Hawai‘i, Hilo. Through her college courses she became curious about veterinary medicine, started working with animals, and changed degree paths. Dr. Lyons graduated from Colorado State University of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2011 and returned home to provide services for her local community. Her interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and working with livestock.
Dr. Mina mentions, “Due to Covid-19 we have had to change our approach to our practice, including using tele-medicine more, offering curbside appointments, and also seeing our clients in clinic.” He projects their clinic will grow in the future, with more associate veterinarians and support staff members, so they can better serve our community. “I am thankful to have a very dedicated staff that sacrifices their work/life balance by working overtime to complete the daily case load with me,” Dr. Mina says.
If you need a doctor for your fur family any day of the week, call Maika‘i Veterinary Clinic—their name says it all—they are good!
Maika‘i Veterinary Clinic, LLC
111 E. Puainako St., Ste A-109, Hilo
808.959.2273
maikaivet.com
