Eyeland EyeDoc is a true family business that is owned and operated by married couple Dr. Meali`inani Duarte-Hernández and Dr. Sándor Hernández Morales. Our `ohana has been in the eye care field for several generations. We specialize in offering personalized eye care that makes use of our life-long experience to address all of your vision care needs. Learn more about how Eyeland EyeDoc came to be by clicking on "Mo`olelo - Our Story".
As you will see, Meali`inani and Sándor share many things in common yet they each have a unique style that compliments our service at Eyeland EyeDoc. Come and experience old style Hawaiian hospitality with the latest cutting edge technology and full service start-to-finish complete vision care. We are here to care for your vision with all of our ALOHA.
Meali`inani is Native Hawaiian - Portuguese. She was born and raised in Holualoa, Kona on Hawai`i Island surrounded by her large `ohana with roots in Holualoa and Kahalu`u, Kona; Kamuela; Kuli`ou`ou, O`ahu; Hana, Maui; and Madeira, Portugal.
Meali`inani's unique perspective comes from her multifaceted academic background. Her formal training took her far from home to the mainland US, Europe, and the Caribbean and includes a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and Gaming, Austria - where she graduated early; an Associate of Science degree in Opticianry and Ophthalmic Technology cum laude, from Miami-Dade College in Miami, Florida; American Board of Opticianry Certification; National Contact Lens Examiners Certification; and the Doctor of Optometry degree from Inter-American University School of Optometry in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
During her time at IAU, Meali`inani was Student Council Vice President and an active legislative advocate for patients' access to optometric care in the Congress of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. She was also co-director of the IAU optometry convention and received various academic accolades in addition to being a member of the university's executive committee.
Meali`inani's diverse background has included experience in a biotechnology firm as well as work in global marketing (her undergraduate major field of study) with prestigious high profile international clientele spanning several continents.
Her career in eye care is all-inclusive. Meali`inani began as a licensed dispensing optician and certified ophthalmic technician in Florida where she would later practice as an optometric physician. She uses her vast multidisciplinary experience to provide full-scope primary family eye care including ocular therapeutics for eye diseases, glaucoma and diabetes, pediatrics, low vision, and specialty contact lenses and low vision aids. She is known for helping "hard to fit" and keratoconus contact lens patients achieve their goals of good vision with contacts. Her profound knowledge is coupled with her compassionate care and kind disposition to put you at ease and take care of all of your eye health needs at Eyeland EyeDoc. She is resolved to provide the best quality care with aloha.
Meali`inani enjoys participating in non-profit humanitarian medical eye care missions and as a member of VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), she has participated in humanitarian vision health campaigns in different parts of the Caribbean. She has advanced post-doctoral professional training in contact lenses and has received various awards and accolades including the distinguished Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care from the American Optometric Foundation and American Optometric Association as well as advanced training in contact lenses from The Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Institute in Jacksonville, Florida and in ocular therapeutics from Alcon Pharmaceuticals in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a Lion's Club member and is fluent in English and Spanish with communication skills in Japanese.
On her time off, Meali`inani is enjoying pursuing a Masters in Theology degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She enjoys hula, going on walks, reading at the beach, and travelling to far away places with her husband where they inevitably end up talking about eyes.
Sándor is a typical Cuban from Miami. He was born in Santa Clara, Cuba under harsh political circumstances. As a child, his family found refuge and asylum in Miami, Florida where they established their new home. He has family scattered all over the world with lots of family in Miami and throughout Cuba.
Sándor's approach to eye care comes from life-long experience (there are many family members in the eye care industry and various opticals in his family). This vast knowledge has connected him to every aspect of the eye care industry throughout his life. He worked his way in different areas including ophthalmic frame distribution, ophthalmic lens laboratory technician, optometric assistant, licensed dispensing optician, certified ophthalmic technician, and retail optical manager, until earning the Doctor of Optometry degree. This complete knowledge and life-long experience assures that you have access to the cusp of cutting edge technologies and the latest tools to address all of your vision care needs at Eyeland EyeDoc.
His formal education is quite diverse and has taken him to the mainland US, Europe, and the Caribbean. After a stint as a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Florida, Sándor went on to work as a domestic violence victim's advocate for a pilot program in Miami Beach for the Attorney General's Office of the State of Florida and Legal Services of Greater Miami. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology double major from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and Gaming, Austria; an Associate of Science degree in Opticianry and Ophthalmic Technology from Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida; American Board of Opticianry Certification; National Contact Lens Examiners Certification; and the degree of Doctor of Optometry from Inter-American University School of Optometry in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Sándor served as Vice President of VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) at IAU in Puerto Rico organizing humanitarian medical optometric mission trips. He has participated in various eye care campaigns throughout the years in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other parts of the Caribbean. Sándor was Student Council Class President at IAU (serving several terms). Sándor served four years on the university's executive committee, and received the university’s prestigious Dean’s Leadership Award, an honor granted by the dean of the university to a single distinguished graduate. He delivered the commencement speech at his graduation and was considered among the most notable student leaders at IAU. Sándor was well engaged as a legislative advocate for patient's access to optometric care in the Congress of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Always a proven advocate for patients, Sándor is committed to keep your eyes healthy and well cared for. He has worked hard to improve access to care for rural communities and often goes out of his way to reach out to our kupuna and homebound patients.
Sándor has advanced training in contact lenses from The Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Institute in Jacksonville, Florida and in ocular therapeutics from Alcon Pharmaceuticals in Fort Worth, Texas. He has published works on continuing education for the American Optometric Association's AOA Paraoptometric Section and is on the AOA Speaker’s Bureau. Sándor is also the featured speaker for diabetes and vision health at Hui Mālama Ola Nā `Ōiwi Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and guest lectures on eye care for the University of Hawai`i Hilo Doctor of Nursing Practice program. He is a Lion's Club member and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Sándor is excited to be working on a Masters in Theology degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu on his spare time. He appreciates live music of all kinds, enjoys all things involving wildlife and the ocean, and takes advantage of any opportunity to freely travel the world with his lovely wife where they almost always end up talking about eyes.
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