Dr Joel is a great doctor! I feel comfortable in his care, 20 + year. He listens to me and is firm yet gentle with his recommendations for treatment cause he cares about his patients. All his remedies work for me! He is A+ !!!! Office staff are excellent! read more

I'm another of former patient of Dr. Inada, so I've known Dr. Kobayashi since he took over Dr. Inada's patients. Dr. Kobayashi has always been professional and upfront when discussing my medical conditions and options. So far, he has always been there when I needed him and have no complaints. I have a pretty good bullshit meter, and the doctor has always passed with flying colors. I'm not surprised by the bad reviews here only because of the nature of the medical profession. Medical doctors are professionals exercising judgment based upon observations and standards. What looks like a mistake in judgment may actually be consistent with medical standards based on the specific observations, or one of several reasonable conclusions that may or may not prove to be accurate. There is an inherent element of the unknown when it is not possible to do invasive tests or imaging scans for patients with symptoms that do not rise to certain levels. And sometimes people just make mistakes. The bottom line is if you feel your physician may be wrong, then ask for a second medical opinion. I don't consider asking for a second opinion to be rude or insulting, but even if it were, it wouldn't stop me where my health is at stake. I feel for people who may be overly trusting or not aware of the right to ask for a second opinion, but I doubt that there any perfect doctors that never need to have their opinions verified. read more

I don't ever write reviews or comments, but I feel I have to share our recent experience for informational purposes to anyone seeking a physician. My 85-year-old dad has been a patient of Kobayashi for decades, ever since Kobayashi took on the patients from Dr. Inada. In my recent interaction with this doctor, I find him to be very complacent. After reading several reviews, I was heartbroken to read the review from "Family T" written on 4/16/2020. The experience they had with Kobayashi is closely similar with what happened to my dad. For the last several months my dad has visited Kobayashi with complaints of a cough that would not go away, shortness of breath, weakness, tiredness and coughing up blood. These symptoms did not occur all at the same time. He informed Kobayashi of these symptoms over several months as it progressively occurred. We urged my dad to request a chest/lung Xray or CT scan. After a request from my dad, Kobayashi ordered an Xray. The results of the first Xray were clear but his symptoms did not improve. My dad was advised to take cough medicine. Later, my dad consulted with Kobayashi again, urging for a CT scan or to be referred to a pulmonary specialist. To that Kobayashi replied "you can get cancer from a CT scan." (He seriously said that to my dad). Instead, another chest Xray was ordered by Kobayashi. This time the Xray was abnormal. My dad was diagnosed (possibly misdiagnosed) with walking pneumonia and prescribed medication by Kobayashi. During that office visit, my parents informed Kobayashi that they had a trip scheduled a week later which Kobayashi did not deter them from traveling. Unbeknownst to us at that time, a person with walking pneumonia should not be traveling at high altitudes. (We found this out much later from another physician). I would think that any knowledgeable practicing physician would know this very important information and would have urged or even prohibit their patient with pneumonia from flying. But no, Kobayashi did not say anything to my parents and even gave him the "OK" to travel. As elderly patients, they are very trusting and would not question advice from their treating physician. Why would they have to? This is why I say KOBAYASHI IS COMPLACENT TO THE POINT OF LAZINESS AND SLOPPY AT HIS CRAFT. Needless to say, my parents did travel. My dad spent most of his vacation resting in their hotel room. Upon his return, he finished all his medication for the walking pneumonia but still felt weak and tired. At his follow-up appointment, my dad was told that it would take some rest & time for recovery. AGAIN, my dad's concerns and request to see a pulmonary specialist were minimized by Kobayashi to the point of him prescribing anti-anxiety medication to my dad. It brings me to tears that my dad's complaints went unheard and he was made to feel that his symptoms were a figment of his imagination. I followed up with a call to Kobayashi's office requesting a referral for a specialist. I also left a message for him to call me or my dad. We did not receive a call back. The next day I called his office again with no response back from him but was told by his "receptionist" that appointments to get a specialist was 3 months out. If we wanted to see one sooner, I would need to "google" an available specialist myself to make an appointment. At that point they would "send the referral" to the specialist. This lack-of-service and urgency is what you would expect from his office. We took my dad to ER shortly after his last office visit with Kobayashi. He was diagnosed with pleural effusion (fluid in lungs) and was admitted into the hospital immediately. We found out during his stay that a person with a compromised lung (walking pneumonia diagnosed by Kobayashi) is susceptible to pleural effusion if at high altitudes. I stated earlier that Kobayashi failed to let my parents know this before traveling. With additional tests at the hospital, my dad was also diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. This review is not a blame game. I just want everyone to know how extremely disappointed and saddened we are with the lack of care, lack of follow up and lack of urgency that Kobayashi provided my 85-year-old dad who has been a long time patient of his. There are so many questions as why Kobayashi failed to see or act upon the signs that were right in front of him in his patient. We trusted that he was doing his job as his primary care physician. We've accepted that there was no way around the lung cancer diagnosis but early detection was crucial. My dad voiced his concerns FOR MONTHS. HAD KOBAYASHI LISTENED TO HIS PATIENT AND ACTED UPON MY DAD'S CONCERNS EARLIER, perhaps some of the pain and suffering my dad has endured to this point could've been avoided or at the least been minimal. Dr Kobayashi, if you are reading this, DO BETTER WITH YOUR EXISTING PATIENTS. LISTEN AND DON'T DOWN PLAY THEIR SYMPTOMS. BE PROACTIVE. You owe it to them! read more

Understands your medical needs and treatment. Staff are nice and fit me in at the office when i need to go in, if im sick on that day. Get regular checkup and test. read more

Always able to get me in when I'm having some kind of issue! Nice staff. Good doctor. Glad to have found Dr.Kobayashi way back when i did!! read more

Kobayashi Joel EH, MD - Internal Medicine Near Me - Aiea, Hawaii

This was my second visit to this office. Dr. Kobayashi is friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. He remembers small details about his patients. Lady at the counter was nice and polite. No long wait times, no long checkouts. In & Out. There is a lab downstairs for blood work, which is computerized and connected to Dr's office. You can get good care, and save time. New garage just opened up, which charges $4 for up to 2 hours of parking. Validate your ticket to get $1 discount. If you feel like walking, you can park in the Neil S.B. Park and walk (or park on the street past Waimalu Plaza) - at least you can tell the doctor you did exercise :) read more

My grandparents, parents and my siblings all see Dr. Kobayashi and I have nothing but good things to say about him and his staff, especially Gladys. They always remember me and ask how my family is doing. He doesn't sugar coat if you need to lose weight or if your acne is acting up. He is a brutally honest doctor and has a humor that some may not like, but I happen to love it. I personally need a doctor who's gonna tell me EXACTLY what's wrong, what I need to do to be healthier, give me my options and let me be on my way. And that's what he does. read more

I must start by saying that I was a part of Dr. Inada's patient list that Dr. Kobayashi inherited as a part of the practice. When I first saw Dr. Kobayashi I was in the middle of an ongoing illness that Dr. Inada was diagnosing and treating. That being said, I have never had a doctor that cared so little. After continuously going back to him (because my symptoms would not go away) he told me that it was "all in my head" and prescribed some anti-depressants (which by the way caused me to have a car accident and made me actually depressed). It turned out (after I DEMANDED to see a specialist) that I needed surgery. In addition to his inability to diagnose and treat me, and his reluctance to refer me to a specialist, he makes his nurses take turns as his receptionist which makes them very grouchy, and his one receptionist/nurse, Lani, initially refused to give me an appointment when I had the flu. She said there were no more appointments for that day (very sassily, I might add). What good is having a doctor that can't see patients when they're sick!? Needless to say, I have since found a doctor who is kind, thoughtful, with a great reception and nursing staff and who is always ready to give me an appointment when I need it. I would NOT recommend going to see Dr. Kobayashi. There are many other internists on this island that care about their patients well-being. read more

Poor patient relations. Office staff left me hanging for a week regarding my request to see Dr. Kobayashi. I had to call just to learn that Medicare patients are not accommodated in this medical practice. Since I have supplied my insurance info during my first call, it would have been more polite to give me this policy immediately so that I could look for other doctors sooner. read more

Dr. Kobayashi is an "OK" doctor....just OK. I have nothing good or nothing bad to say about him personally. BUT....his office staff on the other hand is JUST HORRIBLE especially his WIFE! They lost a VERY good front office gal named Didi. She was AWESOME with the patients when they called and really gave a warm feeling to that office. Too bad she quit but I understand why! Nurse Gladys is also very sweet and caring and does her job well. Everyone else is taking is practice downhill! After Didi quit, I had to call for an appointment and his wife answered the phone and she was SO RUDE!! Could tell she couldn't handle the phones and managing the front at the same time. Kept putting me on hold, time and time again until I finally hung up! Called again today and guess they finally hired someone named Karen? She must have been trained by the dr's wife because she was just as bad too! They make no effort to try and squeeze you in like other dr's do since you;re sick??? It's just "we're booked and screw you" is basically what they are saying without having to say it! So after numerous rings, Karen finally answers the phone and tells me they are booked today and also half day so no, I can't come in to see dr. Doesn't ask what's wrong or how long I've been sick. Then she places me on hold...then comes back 5 min later and I can hear her talking to someone so I say "hello??" She says "Oh, hold on a minute" and places me on hold AGAIN!!! I hung up!! Now I am looking for a new doctor! read more

I checked into this place the other week, and was very surprised to read the review posted by Marisa O. Not sure why she would choose to post such an unflattering review so far after the fact that it is pretty much useless and obsolete, but felt that I should post a more current one. I was also a patient of Dr. Inada, along with most of my family, 7 of us. When he passed away (which was almost 10 years ago) I was a bit unsure about his replacement. Dr. Joel Kobayashi had been assisting Dr. Inada for awhile, since he had been pretty ill. He was young and seemed pretty inexperienced and a little nervous, however, Inada had picked him, so we all decided to stick with him. Despite some initial growing pains, we've all been very satisfied with the service we receive. Dr. Kobayashi's current staff are very friendly and accommodating. One of the only things that Marisa did get correct was that the nurses take turns at the front desk. I've never seen them be unpleasant or seem unhappy about doing so though, in fact, I think they kind of like the change. Over the years, Kobayashi's really developed into a great doctor. He's very friendly and straight-forward. He has no problem giving us his opinion on anything, and since my whole family goes there, he's become very comfortable with us as well. Appointments are usually pretty timely, and if need be, they've stayed in for lunch or after work hours when I've had emergencies, just to fit me in. I'll continue to see him, and would definitely recommend him to anyone. read more

I have to agree with Derek T. A lot of my extended family goes to Dr. Kobayashi and he has always been very straight forward and easy to talk to . He diagnoses and then talks to you about your options. The office staff are always friendly and remember me and my wife even though we only get in there once or twice a year. And I don't mean after they look at our file, I mean when you call and say who you are and need an appointment.. read more

Been a patient of Joel Kobayashi for 13 years so when I heard negative comments,I just disregarded it bcuz I thought,geez,how bad can he b,trust me,I found out the hard way after seeing negative things continue.I didn't want 2 take the time 2 find a new doctor so I thought unless he does something 2 me then its fine.He is simply out 2 make money.Let's b real here.Most doctors need and deserve the $ they earn but this doctor is just greedy.The 1st thing that happened was his wife (she does his billing) charged me 2x for same bill.I had a $78 bill.I hardly check my CC statements(sad thing is who knows if he might have done it b4).When I asked,not only was she not apologetic,it took 4ever 2 get refunded, it was almost the 60 day mark where there's a statute of limitations to dispute.She finally refunded,so I told her to delete my card from the recurring payment system bcuz I did not give them permission in the 1st place.From then on I made it a point 2 check or pay cash and get a receipt.What if they did that to one in every 5 patients or so?They'd make way more money than their supposed 2.Then, my spouse had a wrkmans comp claim 4 an accident that he had.He never kept his best interests in mind. We were upset, but not enough 2 switch bcuz it was a hassle once again.Then, my aunty who was also his patient and who referred me 2 him complained about stomach pains 2 him.He was never thorough and did not do any type of blood testing(she was on different types of meds prescribed by him )2 C how it may b negatively impacting her.He didn't diagnose her with anything.She got a diagnosis and treatment by another doctor, a stage 4 type of stomach cancer which she lost 6 months after letting him knowof the pain.Mind u ,he's the 1 prescribing her meds which have negatively impacted her long term well being which I know is a risk u take but 2 not be able 2 diagnose or refer her out,not thoroughly check her or diagnose her is unacceptable.I then had medical issues which he not only diagnosed but also filled out my FMLA form and did say I needed to seek out a specialist which I did. Sadly, I didn't like the specialist I 1st chose and wanted 2 find a new one which is my choice.The following year, I asked him 2 help me with my form again (annual form),he said he would not treat me 4 the illness (mind you even though he can!) and I needed 2 C the doctor I was seeing(the one I didn't like)2 fill it out.Ironically on the FMLA form he filled out previosuly, he was the 1 who wrote that my illness would last a lifetime.Theres a ? on the form which asks how long the illness is predicted 2 last and he himself put "lifelong," but wasn't willing 2 complete the form the next year! That was it 4 me.My new doctor,who only knew me a day,completed my form and other needed documents.That speaks volumes.It's like if he isn't making any $(appt sched so they can charge) or not in his best interests then he won't help you.I thought a doctor looks out 4 his patients and their best interests b4 their own!I might add that every appt I had as I reflect back, he was never thorough.I luv my new doctor.My regret is not doing it sooner. After my aunty died, brother switched and 2 cousins switched,Didi left (awesome nurse which I now C Y she may have left)I should have done the same.It took more than a death 4 me 2 switch,my own negative experience,I'm very regretful.Fortunately, I'm okay and alive!My spouse is a patient who has asthma which is treated by him 2 and when covid started, his employer allowed those with asthmatic problems administrative leave.He decided he wouldn't sign his form,even after being the only doctor 2 treat him 4 it!Fortunately, he was able 2 find a new doctor too.His doctor couldn't understand Y Kobayashi wouldn't sign it,just based on his wheezing/breathing issues he had during his check up.When it finally happens to u,u start 2 think about all of the things he's done collectively and that itself should have been enough.If u are considering him, think hard.I hate doing reviews but this is important and if he cannot put patients 1st, before,time,convenience, grudges then he really shouldn't practice medicine.Knowing this really makes him dangerous, maybe not directly, but his actions ultimately do NOT lead 2 the WELFARE of his patients and that's a problem.I should have known better after my aunty died and her 2 sons (my cousins)switched doctors,at least I found out and didn't end up dead too!Don't make the same mistake!Stay away! read more

I am not sure why other people had problems regarding Dr. Kobayashi staff, but I have never had a problem. They find time for me whenever I get sick. Dr Kobayashi is pleasant and easy to talk to. He listens to me and remembers things about me even though I may not have seen him for awhile. He is tech savvy and offers new ways to track your health using various web portals( HMSA, his patient portal). I enjoy my visit to his office and that's not easy to say since I am usually sick when I do go there. read more