Eighty-two first-year student pharmacists heard words of inspiration from the president of one of the few independent pharmacies remaining in Hawaii during this year’s University of Hawaii at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony.

The event took place Oct. 8 at the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center.

Kimberly Mikami Svetin, the third president in the 82-year history of family-operated Molokai Drugs, gave the fledgling pharmacists her view of “how to get the most out of life.” She also talked about how the pharmacy staff at Molokai Drugs focuses on community and how that benefits their personal and professional lives.

Her grandfather, Richard Sakata, became the first pharmacist on Molokai when he opened Molokai Drugs in Kaunakakai in 1935. Several members of the family have taken part in the growth of Hawaii’s oldest independent pharmacy since then, including her father, David Mikami, who became Molokai’s second pharmacist in 1969.

The Sunday afternoon ceremony, where student pharmacists from the class of 2021 recited the oath of a pharmacist, signifies a rite of passage for individuals entering their first year in the professional program. Students were cloaked with a short white coat symbolizing their student status and the values of the profession.

Eighty-two first-year student pharmacists heard words of inspiration from the president of one of the few independent pharmacies remaining in Hawaii during this year’s University of Hawaii at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony.

The event took place Oct. 8 at the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center.

Kimberly Mikami Svetin, the third president in the 82-year history of family-operated Molokai Drugs, gave the fledgling pharmacists her view of “how to get the most out of life.” She also talked about how the pharmacy staff at Molokai Drugs focuses on community and how that benefits their personal and professional lives.

Her grandfather, Richard Sakata, became the first pharmacist on Molokai when he opened Molokai Drugs in Kaunakakai in 1935. Several members of the family have taken part in the growth of Hawaii’s oldest independent pharmacy since then, including her father, David Mikami, who became Molokai’s second pharmacist in 1969.

The Sunday afternoon ceremony, where student pharmacists from the class of 2021 recited the oath of a pharmacist, signifies a rite of passage for individuals entering their first year in the professional program. Students were cloaked with a short white coat symbolizing their student status and the values of the profession.