HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii doctor was nationally recognized Friday for his work improving the lives of Hawaii residents with mental health conditions.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness awarded the 2026 NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award to Hawaii psychiatrist Dr. Chad Koyanagi.
Koyanagi has served Hawaii as a street psychiatrist for those facing mental illness, psychosis, homelessness, and have barriers to traditional treatment.
The award recognizes psychiatrists who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, leadership, and dedication to individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Koyanagi played a key role in developing and opening Hawaii’s first Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Iwilei, which provides treatment for some of Hawaii’s most vulnerable residents.
The center offers an alternative to emergency rooms and incarceration for patients dealing with psychiatric crises.
“Dr. Chad does work most people could never imagine doing,” said Anisa Wiseman, Deputy Director of NAMI Hawaii. “He continues showing up for people our systems have often left behind, even in the most difficult situations. His compassion, persistence, and humanity have changed countless lives.”
Koyanagi was one of 13 doctors honored at the NAMI convention.
The last Hawaii psychiatrist to receive this award was Dr. Denis Mee-Lee back in 2015.
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