Hawaii ObGyn Cares

Meh. I’ve experienced better is the correct way to explain Dr. Chen.
Positives: Her office has a good front end staff and is high tech with the ipad check-​in and payment system.
In other news: She is an Iolani graduate, and well educated as a MD. I must say she is completely book smart but lacks tact and any trust or compassion for her patients. Being an brilliant doctor but lacking bedside manner and social skills to connect with patients is difficult in such a customer orientated-​driven business. For example, because her own office records were not updated for whatever reason, she did not trust my word that I went to my Fetal Diagnostics appointment, she questioned both my partner and I, and kept implying that we were lying to her. This is my first time being pregnant, and we are honest people… I would have told her the truth if I didn’t go. After the 3^rd degree, she then left the office and called the Fetal Diagnostics office to check if I went. When we later called to her office for the end consultation, she knew she was wrong because we could overhear her conversation over the phone from where we were waiting, she did not apologize to us and just glossed over the situation.
Watch your insurance statements because her office doesn’t give a break down of your co-​pay: She was charging my HMSA insurance and collecting from me $ 40 co-​pay per visit because she insisted on «unnecessary» scans for my pregnancy. She, nor the office staff could explain this, I had to find it out myself via my insurance company… if she was to just do the regular: monitor heartbeat, measure, check sugar levels, down there check-​ups, etc. the co-​pay would be $ 15 or covered. I only say «unnecessary» because I am not a high-​risk pregnancy, I did not need to be scanned every time I went in. That was why she was sending me to the Fetal Diagnostic center in the first place was to get scanned by the professionals there.
Lastly, I also asked her if she could send me her written records regarding my pregnancy progress and on two occasions she said that she would do so, but never did. During the middle of my pregnancy (though it was stressful to find another OBGYN), I have since left her care and am glad that I did.

I love Dr. Chen! She is always willing to listen to me, and takes her time answering my questions. I feel very comfortable with her, and the staff and have had a wonderful experience in the past year that I’ve been with them. Sweet, and friendly staff, too!

Don’t waste your time on this Dr. She doesn’t have any compassion at all. Last time I went in just take out my birth control and ended up not doing it and they still charged me! I honestly miss Dr Rose Marie Chang! Horrible OBGYN of all time

It’s really frustrating when you want to schedule an appt and they put you on hold for a good 5 mins maybe even more. I’ve attempted several times and still the same thing. I understand it could be busy maybe on that day, but for several days that I’ve been calling still the same result.

While I trust Dr. Hong Ru Chens level of expertise, her office is a money sucking business!!!
Ive went in for appointments that lasted less than 10 minutes and have been charged by her office for the visit. Not to mention, they require that you arrive early for your appointment, so you end up waiting at least half an hour before she calls you into her office. Often times, these mandatory appointments are information that can be shared over the phone. So youre paying for parking, your co-​payment, and taking time off work for her to tell you everything is alright.
I get standard procedure, but stop wasting peoples time and money! She is very sweet and thorough, but I wont be returning as her demands do not fit my healthcare needs and lifestyle.

I came across this page when I was searching for an email address for Dr Hong Ru Chen. I have to say I’m surprised at all of the negative reviews so I had to pipe in with my experience. The doctor that left must have been an angel for people to be so put off by Dr Chen. I have probably seen Dr Chen about 5 – 6 times and she was very friendly and kind each time. She was patient and thorough in explaining herself. She made me feel very comfortable which is difficult to do considering the circumstances and job at hand. I would feel confident going back to see her when I get pregnant.

I was relocated because of my job so I’m pretty much new to Honolulu. I came with a lot of baggage and issues. It was hard to find a doctor taking new patients. I found Dr. Chen and she worked me in the next day. I was worried because of the the reviews but this turned out to be the complete opposite. Dr. Chen helped me with all of my issues, even setting me up with specialist for my other medical problems. I have had two visits with her and both times I spoke with her one on one in an office setting before my exam. She comforted me and lead me in the right direction. The office staff is great as well, Heather is awesome! Thanks so much for making my transition her better!

I go to Dr. Diane Huang for my Obgyn. But my appt was until April. So I called around nd Dr. Chen office took new patients which was awesome. The medical assistants nd intern were awesome. But Dr. Chen she something else «No Aloha». I get it doctors have to be firm with giving bad news but come on now show some sympathy. When u tell someone their gonna need a hysterectomy nd never having kids. At least get off ur high horse nd give someone a hug at least it ain’t gonna hurt. She gives me tissue nd straight face she won’t be helping me no more. I just humble myself with tears nd walk out. Would I recommend her to my friends nd family? Hell to the NO she straight B****…

I came in with an issue I’ve avoided confronting. Finally there, Dr Chen was very sure of her diagnosis. I told her of a condition I’d had many years ago and suspected this could be again.
She said rather indignantly, how do you know that is what you have if they’ve never done a biopsy? I told her that MY DOCTOR had told me, prescribed medication and it had gone away, for 20+ yrs. She said, you don’t know if you don’t have a biopsy. To that I replied… then I’m still alive — yrs later aren’t I.
She lacks bedside manner. Multiple repeat SMS reminders and then phone call as well of appts. I was told that I was supposed to pick up medication at pharmacy before procedure. I never received SMS as they insisted… until I was going back down in the elevator to get it! The penalty for not cancelling within her time frame… I don’t need this.
I wish her well but am looking for new doctor. Oh, the biopsy, not as she lead me to believe. I was indeed correct in my suggestion of what I thought it was.
As an Ob/​Gyn, this is more common than she evidently thinks. Treatments are by Ob/​Gyn or Dermatologist. Go see the Skin Doc! She didn’t have the experience to realize diagnose as young Derm. did immediately.
Oh, Rose Chang, my doc for 11 yrs. Miss her! I’d never have left her, but easily will go on and find replacement for Dr. Chen.
Sorry, but I need another doc.

Several months after I began seeing Dr. Karimoto, I received a letter from this business/​Dr. Chen saying that Dr. Karimoto was leaving the practice. Dr. Chen seemed to imply in the letter that she was the head of the practice and that Dr. Karimoto was hired after her. I had been a client of Dr. Rosemarie Chang for over 15 years, and when Dr. Chang announced that she was retiring, she introduced her patients to the team of doctors that would be taking over her practice together, Dr. Karimoto and Dr. Chen. There was no indication that Dr. Chen was in anyway the primary doctor.
The way in which Dr. Chen handled this situation with Dr. Karimoto seems extremely unethical and left a very bad taste in my mouth. I refuse to go to Dr. Chen. Dr. Karimoto is an excellent doctor who cares deeply for her patients. The few times I talked to Dr. Chen on the phone for after hours emergency, I found her to be rude and not at all client-​centered like Dr. Karimoto is. Dr. Chen is one of those doctors who don’t seem to listen and only wants to talk. This island is small and word will get around. Very sad that this happened.

I saw Dr. Rosemarie Chang since I was in college 10 years ago until she retired about a year ago. Dr. Chang retired and turned her practice over to Dr. Hong Ru Chen and Dr. Maxine Karimoto. In August, we got these stupid letters in the mail indicating that Dr. Karimoto was tired and needed a break and is no longer with the practice, this sounded lame and fishy. Then we got letters again this past month saying that Dr. Karimoto requested this to be clarified and it seems like she was let go by Dr. Chen. It seems like Dr. Chen owns the business, although Dr. Chang had implied this was a shared business.
The one star review comes because I got a letter in the mail a few weeks ago saying that I will be terminated as of January because Dr. Chen will no longer will take Quest insurance. I have NEVER had quest insurance, for the 10 years I have seen Dr. Rosemarie Chang I have had a HMSA PPO plan NOT a Quest plan. I called Dr. Hong Ru Chen’s Aiea office numerous times and left messages to please return my call so I can clarify this. No one ever calls me back. I guess I’m terminated as of tomorrow. What kind of bookkeeping does this office do by sending me a letter saying I’m terminated for an insurance I never had??? and doesn’t return phone calls. This is not a doctor or office I would entrust my health with.
Dr. Chen also did not treat a relative’s biopsy with good bed side manners. She had the results of a relative’s biopsy but would not tell us over the phone. Dr. Chang would always call us with biopsy results. Dr. Hong Ru Chen makes us wait a week then we all come in for results thinking it will be bad because she refused to tell us results over the phone. We all take off from work to go to the appointment. Dr. Chen comes in the door and beats around the bush even after asking her what the results were. After 5 minutes of beating around the bush, she tells us the biopsy had no result, it missed the spot so she basically had no results. What??? She had to charge an appointment for this and have my family all take off from work to hear a «no result» response and refused to tell us this over the phone? Then beat around the bush and not say the result? She lacks bedside manners.
I think it was a blessing getting a letter in the mail a few weeks ago saying I’m terminated for an insurance I never had. I found a great doctor at Queens who I will continue with.
AVOID this office.

Dr. Karimoto LEFT THIS OFFICE. The only OBGYN is Dr. Chen. I saw Dr. Chen once and I’m looking for a different doc now. She seems too interested in her «business» rather than the best medical care for her patients. She will «scold» you vs. «educate». She will «demand» compliance rather than explain the «reason and cause». Basically lacks KINDNESS. It’s only less than one year of operation so I guess I’ll keep reading the reviews from her other patients.

Unfortunately my visit with Dr. Chen was not a pleasant one. I was very excited to learn more about my pregnancy and ask all my questions I had but the visit turned out to be a complete waste of time.
First off, the office was dirty. I was asked to do the normal routine of urine in the cup and when I was in the bathroom, the floor was littered with garbage, the garbage can itself was overflowing. The door did not seem secure either, just a sliding door with a finicky lock. :/​
As I was waiting in the waiting room, the cool feature that I had read in another Unilocal review stating that the papers you sign is actually used on an Ipad and it was. I did think it could be difficult to some of the other older patients to use as I had a struggle with mine and I am Tech-​savvy.
Since the waiting room is so small, everyone had to be squeezed very close to each other and I had the unfortunate situation of sitting next to a lady who decided to talk on her cell phone on speaker so everyone got to learn all about her life story and with her child running around screaming making a fuss. That is not the Dr.‘s fault at all but just saying, maybe there should be a sign that says please no cell phones, please don’t leave your children unattended, etc.
Upon being called, the Dr. brought me in to her office to have a talk first which I was excited about since I did have tons of questions but instead of getting any questions out she proceeded to tell me her speech she must tell every patient and did not acknowledge anything I was saying.
She asked «How do you like the prenatals you are taking»
I said «Oh just fine, no problem!»
Her reply «Well you can take the Gummi prenatals since you’re having a hard time with those horse pill ones»
Um.ok, never said anything about the pills being super huge and having a hard time. Every sentence afterwards was just like that. :(It was like she wasn’t even listening to a word I said, I was just pushed to the next «regular» pregnant lady problem, when honestly I think I am pretty lucky not having any symptoms except being tired and my breast swollen: No morning sickness, food aversions, etc. But she didn’t seem to notice since I was told «Now you shouldn’t eat red meat if you are throwing up»…like I said… she wasn’t even listening.
Next we finally got into the exam room where she very quickly showed me my ultrasound but when she snapped a picture she took one that didn’t show anything, it was like she turned her head away, snapped the picture than handed me what was suppose to be «my baby»
The exam lasted all but 5 mins and that’s being generous. I was told then to go ahead and get dressed and come outside. I was given like 60 seconds for this before someone came in and asked if I was ready and to come outside. I hurriedly finished and went and sat down where my blood was drawn by another nurse. She was the ONLY professional one there that actually took care in asking me questions, answering mine and actually taking the time to make sure I was comfortable.
The Dr. popped her head around the corner and gave me a list of medications I can take. Tylenol, Metimucil– I don’t know why she suggested these things but since she hadn’t listened to me previously I am assuming she just thought i needed those things. I asked her very quickly before she ran off, if I could ask her questions or if she could direct me to where I can have my questions answered. I was giving her another chance to make me feel comfortable. She failed. She had her other nurse write down to read what to expect when you are expecting and go to the American pregnancy association website and read up. Ok… I have already read that book and have been to that site plus a million other ones since I found out I was pregnant. What a waste…
All in all, I am sad that I wasted the time I did going to this office and this Dr. I was excited due to her website and the other reviews on here. But overall, the uncleanliness, rude and unprofessional-​ism of the Staff and Dr. herself and just very sad experience of what should have been a super great moment in my pregnancy has led me to give just 1 star. I am going back to my regular OB-​GYN as he finally has an opening and I don’t know why I even bothered trying to see someone new. I am 3 months pregnant.

Dr. Hong Ru Chen became my doctor when Dr. Chang retired. Upon meeting her, everything seemed fine and I was already 2 months pregnant, so I needed her help. I explained that this child is my first and that I will have questions and need some guidance as we move along. She seemed to handle that well. Throughout the appointments I had with her she seemed to dwell on the negative points always leaving me somewhat worried when I walked out of her office. I had a UTI and left her office only to go to the ER because my bladder needed to be drained. Then at my check up with her she asked why was I going to the ER often. I told her to drain my bladder. It was painful. …and Why not? I have medical. Was my answer. This last incident took the cake. I was just diagnosed with gest. diabetes. The office never informed me about the diagnosis. The way I found out was a voicemail that said the nurse made me an appt for diabetes education but that if I needed to reschedule to call them directly. So I assumed from that call I had diabetes. I rescehduled my class for 7 days later than the date they booked me and within that week I received a certified letter from Dr. Chen stating that since I missed my appointmebnt and am high risk, she is no longer going to treat me and that I’ll have to find another doctor. No phone call, No referral to another doctor, nothing! Very unprofessional. Supposed high risk, but you’ll leave me, just like that. She still thinks she’s in China, where families aren’t allowed to have too many kids. Sorry Dorothy but you’re not in Kansas anymore. This is Hawaii, where people care about one another. OBGYN Cares? Really? I don’t think so … Sad example of a doctor. Don’t be fooled.

After trying to schedule an appointment with an obgyn accepting new patients for almost 4 weeks, I finally got an appointment with Dr. Chen! Upon my arrival I had to fill out the usual paperwork — except everything was done on an iPad! I found this to be great, but wondered how an older patient might feel about this method. The two ladies at the front desk were extremely pleasant. I only waited a couple of minutes before my appointment began.
Things began with the usual height/​weight/​blood pressure check, and then I met with Dr. Chen. Since this was my first visit with her, she brought me into her office to chat for a bit. I really appreciated this as obgyn appointments are usually awkward. Immediately I felt comfortable with her and could tell she knew her stuff. She gave me lots of great information about my current birth control method, and was very easy to speak with. The exam that followed was very quick and comfortable due to her calm demeanor.
Overall, I have zero complaints and left as a very satisfied patient. My prescription was sent to the pharmacy within an hour — nice!!! Dr. Chen and her staff were great and believe it or not, I’m actually looking forward to my next visit in her office!

I have never written a review online before, so that should tell you how awesome Dr Karimoto is! She is a young doctor, easy to talk to, listens well and has a great staff. I am always SO uncomfortable at these types of appointments, but she made it easy. For once in my life a gyn appointment was easy, low stress, and I didn’t feel awkward or overwhelmed. It was a pain free experience! Truly an awesome doc– she also referred me to a physical therapist which is a life safer! Check her out– she is the best of the best.
Also, don’t judge a book by its cover! Her office is a little outdated, a little run down, but she is still an incredible doctor. Goes out of her way to solve issues and make sure you are happy and healthy, so ignore the first impression of the office!

Dr. Karimoto and her staff are a wonderful group of individuals. They were professional and kind, and made me feel comfortable with every visit. She was thorough with her explanations and understanding with my concerns. I have searched for a good doctor for the past five years and I am glad to finally find someone who I feel comfortable with. Thank you Dr. Karimoto!

When Dr. Rosemarie Chang retired I was heartbroken because I wanted her to deliver my baby. Her aunt, Dr. Jeannette Chang also retired and recommended Dr. Rosemarie as my OB/​GYN. When the time came to either switch or stay I decided to stay because it was easier for me instead of transferring records. Let me say that I’m so happy they’re up to date with technology. My mom was worried because they are young but I told her at least they’re up to date with what’s going on and not too «old school» I first met Dr. Karimoto and she is so professional, polite, knowledgeable, and grounded. She answered all my questions and I didn’t feel rushed. She put things in terms I could understand and always made sure I was comfortable. Dr. Chen is the same way and I’m so grateful they both take the time to read over previous visits so I don’t have to ask so much and they keep me updated. Their staff at both sides are amazing also! I’m happy i didn’t switch :)