About Us

John Burke is founder and co-owner of Honu House Hawaii. Before getting sober, John was a chronic relapser. He slowly learned that "self-knowledge availed him nothing.” After more than a decade in recovery, he learned the true meaning of surrender and helped form Honu House Hawaii. John’s lengthy experience in 12 step based programs has helped create a new foundation for everyone to succeed in their recovery. He believes that it is only after an ultimate act of humility, self-sacrifice, and surrender, that we can begin to live freely. John now devotes his life to his passion for helping others find freedom from addiction.

As the co-founder of Honu House Hawaii, Nick been clean and sober for 8 years. Nick has worked in the residential treatment field for 7 years as an admissions director, recovery breath & life coach, and a case manager. Nick has also been active in the recovery community in Hawaii for the last 8 years. Nick has seen1st hand what has worked for himself and for others. He has also seen what does not work. We’ve created a program and a process that fuses together everything We’ve experienced and learned over the years to help others not only abstain from toxic substances and behaviors but also fulfill their maximum potential. It’s an honor and privilege to partner with my longterm friend and founder of Honu House Hawaii John Burke. Our passion for recovery and helping people heal is what’s at the foundation of Honu House.

I am excited to join the Honu House team as Primary Therapist and Program Director. I have had the tremendous pleasure of knowing both John and Nick through their recovery journeys and am honored to help build a treatment program that reflects our collective passion for compassionate, integrative care to support the healing of the whole person. I have had the privilege of helping people who are struggling with addiction for over a decade and adhere to the wisdom that it is pain, suffering and trauma that compel people to use substances and behaviors addictively. When we address the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual conditions that created the vulnerability for addiction, a resilient and enduring recovery becomes possible. I look forward to partnering with you, or your loved one in this journey of discovery and recovery!

Dr. Mike McGrath is a medical doctor board certified in addiction medicine, pain medicine and psychiatry. He has practiced in Hawaii for 27 years and has worked in a number behavioral health settings including inpatient hospital, outpatient clinics, private practice and at several residential substance treatment centers.

Captain Craig Hawkins has been fishing, surfing and diving in the Hawaiian Islands for over 30 years. Raised in Capistrano Beach, California, Craig dedicated his growing years to surfing and fishing the Southern California and Baja California coastlines, frequenting places like San Quintin, Todos Santos, Blacks, Trestles and Beach Road. In 1986 Craig set his sights on the Hawaiian Islands. Craig currently operates out of world famous Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, and specializes in daily trips for tourists and locals alike. Living on the rugged and beautiful Kona Coast has become a way of life for Craig, and he considers the opportunity to share his knowledge and experiences a true gift. Visit his website here.

Zahava “Z” Zaidoff is originally from Southern California. She moved with her family to the Big Island of Hawaii eight years ago. She holds several certifications including: Masters Level Registered Addiction Specialist, Certified Prevention Specialist, and Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist. Z has worked in various models of addiction treatment over the last fifteen years including residential, outpatient, hospitals, corrections, and co-occurring clinics.

Dr. April Johnston is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, a board-certified Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and a licensed acupuncturist who helps reorient patients towards better health using individualized combinations of acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy and connective tissue work. Dr. Johnston is a lifelong learner, completing hospital externships in China and two years of additional mentored herbal medicine training outside of her formal acupuncture studies. Her prior work as a research scientist and equine fascial therapist grounded her in the crossroads of science and patient care. She uses an integrative evidence-based approach to inform her clinical work in traditional healing methods to help patients with very challenging conditions restore their health. Dr. Johnston is an avid scuba diver, competitive swimmer, and equestrian in Kailua Kona, Hawai’i. You can email her at info@bigislandorientalmedicine.com or go to www.bigislandorientalmedicine.com to contact Dr. Johnston.

Kristina Roberts N.D. is the founder and medical director of Kona Integrative Health. She utilizes a functional medicine approach that combines the best of both conventional and alternative medicine to provide proactive and effective health solutions for her patients. IV Therapy: Intravenous (IV) therapy is a safe and effective treatment for numerous conditions as it allows for 100% absorption of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Formulas are custom made for each individual utilizing nutrients such as vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, glutathione, amino acids, and much more.

Case manager Gary Jaster is both a student and teacher of creating self-empowerment through everyday conscious choices that break through both perceived and unconscious barriers to living authentic and fulfilling lives. Gary is living his passion by “teaching what he needs to learn and reinforce in himself” with both individuals and groups; through his work with men’s groups, domestic violence offenders, those struggling with addiction and codependency, and anyone seeking to live a life of honesty, integrity, accountability, and conscious choice.

Alyssa Heenanis our Registered Nurse on Staff. She over sees medication management and provides 1-1 medical needs for our residents. Alyssa specializes in IV therapy and provides infusions for our residents needing Meyers cocktails, Super Enriched Vitamins, NAD and others. 

An Herbal Detox Wrap uses a blend of locally sourced medicinal herbs that are allies in detoxing the body. With our skin being the largest organ in the body, the medicinal properties of the tea are directly absorbed into the bloodstream facilitating detoxification. The application of heat alongside medicinal herbs stimulates the circulatory system allowing all that is being detoxed to effectively be eliminated. During this session a decoction is made with the herbs, a sheet is then soaked in the tea and heated up to the perfect temperature. From there the sheet will then be placed on your body and you will be wrapped up in thermal blankets, so heat is retained. This herbal wrap will leave you feeling brand new & replenished!