Blood Bank of Hawaii

This was my first time donating plasma and platelets (not whole blood or MAX red). All of the staff are super nice and friendly. They give you a warm blanket, an iPad, and headphones to kill time. I mean, what service! I feel like this is first class (or business class) on Japan Airlines or All Nippon Airways. It took longer than expected to donate plasma and platelets compared to donating whole blood or MAX red. The main location at Dillingham isn't even as great as this location is, plus I live in Hawaii Kai so it's more convenient for me to drive there than Kalihi. This location is my new favorite. I plan on donating plasma on Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024) next time (as well as donating money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation) on Giving Tuesday this year after binge-avarice on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This place deserves 10 stars.

Super convenient location, very bright clean facility and well trained staff. They make it very pleasant and easy experience for you. There's plenty of parking in front then you walk up one floor or take the elevator and Boom! you're inside. Once there, you check in at the front desk where they'll ask to see your ID. Then they give you a small informational booklet and questionnaire to fill out. Give yourself about 10 minutes for this process. When done, someone will take you in an office where they check your blood pressure and prick your finger for a few droplets of blood to make sure your blood qualifies. I donate every 8 weeks and a few times I had to come back because I was running a bit low on iron. Now I take iron supplements a few days prior to donating. Once you're approved to donate, they move you into the big room where you lay on a comfortable leather recliner bed and then they stab you in the vein with a needle. But it doesn't hurt...much. Nah joking it doesn't hurt at all... much. It takes about 10 minutes or so depending how much you squeeze the styrofoam hand squeezer they give you. After donating, grab yourself a snack and drink from the snacks table. I'm a sucker for Lay's potato chips. Pro Tip 1 - you need to make an appointment. Pro Tip 2 - eat a good meal before donating but no alcohol. Blood is a Life Saving gift that your body can replenish. Be a good human and go bleed into a plastic bag.

I donate blood whenever I can. This 4th of July I decided it was time again. I scheduled an appointment at the Young Street location. It's a very nice building with ample parking. Checking in was a breeze, and for donating today I received a box of Girl Scout Cookies. Thank you! I was happy my iron level was acceptable for today. Sometimes I'm deferred. However today was a great day! The overall experience went smoothly, and I'm so glad I was able to donate blood. The staff are very nice and the gal who stuck me with a needle did a wonderful job. From checking in to giving blood and enjoying a snack and drink afterwards takes about 60 minutes. But the best part is that my blood donation can save three lives!

Very friendly staff and clean office here! I'd come back to this location to donate blood. If you can, and especially if your blood type is O, please consider donating blood because there are little kids with leukemia and sickle cell disease who need your help. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives!!!I've donated blood in California before and the procedure here is similar. They first let you answer a questionnaire asking you about your health, travel and sexual history (all confidential) then you'll be in a private room with a healthcare worker who will further clarify stuff with you. Then your finger will be pricked to collect a drop of blood and see if your hemoglobin level is suitable for donation. After all the screening is passed, you'll be seated in a chair and a phlebotomist will come and poke you. There was discomfort with the needle but not pain. If you're scared of needles... you know what, I am too. Not terrified, but definitely the thought of it would make my palms sweat. But I still did it and I will do it, because as a O+ I feel like this is almost my responsibility. I consider it a blessing that I can still give blood. When I go through the questions in the questionnaire, I just know I'm grateful that I'm healthy enough to donate. There's a list of medications on the deferred list and I don't need to take any of them. I haven't been lived in Europe. I am healthy. I don't have a habit of doing anything that might contaminate my blood. If I can donate, I will donate! I hope you will too!

My last two experiences with BBH were horrendous. Previous donation the girl put the needle in incorrectly and I had a terrible burning sensation. After giving blood dozens of times, I've never felt anything like that before. This last time I arrived and was waiting at the check in desk. A guy came out of the donation van and I smiled and nodded to him but he gave me a look of disdain. Didn't say hello, good morning, just nothing while he continued to chomp on some bar. I waited 1 minute and he refused to acknowledged me, at which point I got up and left.Giving blood is not an easy thing and you need to have trust with the people performing the procedure. When you have intense pain and treated with disgust when you smile at them, it clearly isn't a blood donation center people can trust. I would recommend going elsewhere.

The Blood Bank of Hawaii is the local and only blood bank servicing the state of Hawaii. They have 3 building locations to donate and many stationary buses parked around the island of Oahu and numerous blood drives weekly on Oahu. I donate every two months and have found staff to be friendly and professional. They truly appreciate donors taking one hour out of their donate to help those in need. Cleanliness has always been top priority and comfort of the donors not far behind. Please donate, you can easily sign up via the website. Each donating can save up to three lives!

BBH on Young St always takes great care of me. The facilities are clean and comfortable. The staff makes us feel comfortable and are focused on our wellbeing.

They were super busy on the day of my appointment.I was processed efficiently and quickly.Max drew my blood and she was amazing!!! It was the best experience giving blood that I have had so far. Thank you

rude staff. dismissive and defensive when questioned. Must have lots of donors, they have one less now. supervisor is useless

I am very disappointed in my experience and do not donate blood again because of this. The phlebotomist did not know what she was doing. I suggested a different vein because no one had used that vein she selected but she said she already marked it. When she poked the needle there was no blood. She said she was going to adjust the needle and there was still no blood. Someone else came to help adjust and that worked for a bit. My arm was turning purple because the cuff was so tight. So someone told her to release some of the pressure. Then I guess blood flow stopped so they had to adjust again but also righted the cuff again. Once again my arm turned purple and it was so tight my fingers became numb and tingling to the point I couldn't squeeze the squeeze ball anymore. So I flagged down someone and said I think something is wrong because this is so tight and I can't feel my fingers. So they released some pressure and by that time was told I probably clotted because the cuff was so tight that circulation was cut off. Then I was told I didn't give enough blood but still have to wait the full amount of time before I can try again. What the heck. This phlebotomist did not at any point seem like she even cared what was happening or what she was doing. The professionalism and attitude and service were so disappointing.