Dr. Craig M. Nishimoto

Dr. Nishimoto is the owner of the Paradise Animal Clinic. He received his training at Washington State University and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Bacteriology and Public Health along with another Bachelors Degree in Veterinary Science. In 1984, Dr. Nishimoto obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He opened his private practice in 1989 at Rainbow Plaza and has been there ever since.

He is a Past-President of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association and Past-Chairman of the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Dr. Nishimoto is also a long time Rotarian and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach. He is also a past-member of the Board of Directors for the Kauai Humane Society.

Dr. Nishimoto and Mrs. Nishimoto have two adult children, Dr. Christine (a veterinary associate here at Paradise Animal Clinic), and Matthew (pursing his graduate studies at University of Kansas). The Nishimoto's have three Minature Dachshunds, Phoebe, Sophie, and Moose. In his free-time, Dr. Nishimoto enjoys participating in community service with his Rotary Club of Poipu Beach, traveling to far away places and is a long-time surfer who likes all types of ocean sports.

Mrs. Annette M. G. Nishimoto

Practice Manager

Mrs. Nishimoto is the Practice Manager of the Paradise Animal Clinic.  She received her training from the University of Hawaii-West Oahu where she obtained her Bachelors Degree in Business Management.

Originally from Boston, Mrs. Nishimoto graduated from Kapa'a High School and has made Kauai her home ever since.  She began working at the clinic in November of 1991.

Mrs. Nishimoto enjoy's spending time with close friends and family, relaxing on the beach, or reading a good book.

Dr. Christine M. Nishimoto

Dr. Christine Nishimoto was born and raised on the west side of Kaua'i and is the daughter of Dr. Craig Nishimoto and Mrs. Nishimoto. She is a proud alumna of Kaua'i High School, and pursued her undergraduate education at Washington State University; where she received a Bachelors degree in Microbiology. In the spring of 2022, Dr. Christine obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Her special veterinary interests include: dermatology, soft tissue surgery, critical care, small ruminant medicine, and exotic/pocket pet medicine.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Bilal, and their cat (Bella), volunteering, playing the flute, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.  

Dr. Melissa Shaw

Since her graduation from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on Aquatic Animal Medicine, Dr. Shaw has dedicated her career to the well-being of animals, wild and free.

During her ten years as an aquatic animal veterinarian Dr. Shaw has worked with migrating seabirds, Hawaiian sea turtles, Fishes, and endangered marine mammal species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal (HMS), among others.

Playing a pivotal role in the success of the HMS Critter Cam project and other telemetry studies, Dr. Shaw facilitated further understanding of the habits of the HMS as well as protection of their prey species, foraging/feeding grounds, and pupping habitat.

Recently becoming acutely aware of the severity of the world’s animal overpopulation crisis, Dr. Shaw has turned her attention and energy toward this dilemma, which threatens animal welfare as well as human health. The main direction of her career has become compassionately crusading for humane population reduction and health care for those animals otherwise uncared for.

When not crusading for animals overseas, Dr. Shaw can be found on Kauai, at Paradise Animal Clinic, practicing holistic veterinary medicine. Dr. Shaw specializes in Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine. She practices with medical modalities such as VINA (much like chiropractic), Regenerative Injection Therapies (RIT such as prolotherapy), Nutrition, Cold Laser, Homeopathy, and Hydrotherapy, in addition to some standard Western Medicine.

Dr Shaw’s goal is to enhance the quality of life of the animals she touches. She believes in putting quality in their years, not just years on their life.

In her free time she enjoys traveling, learning foreign languages, yoga, swimming, sailing, surfing, and paddling with her family

Shayna Moore

Veterinary Assistant

Upon joining our practice in 2004, Shayna has thoroughly enjoyed helping pet owners and their animals as well as performing the numerous laboratory tests in our practice. Shayna's family has 4 dogs named Piko, Keahi, Bentley, and Mika.  She also has a cat named Kitty and a rabbit named Bugs Bunny.

Shayna enjoys her free time by going to the beach with her 2 little boys named Zaylen and Zayvin.

Noe DelaCruz

Veterinary Assistant

Noe joined the Paradise Animal Clinic team in June 2006.  She enjoys all types of animals and especially likes working in the laboratory portion of the practice and the challenge of handling aggressive dogs.

Noe has a dog named Tater, a "Chug" better known as a Chihuahua-Pug mix. During her free time she loves being with her children (Taylen and Jordyn) and hanging out with family and friends. She also pet sits on the side.

Penny Robley

Veterinary Assistant

Penny joined the Paradise Animal Clinic team in 2010.  Her clinic passions include performing blood work, taking X-rays, assisting in surgery and handling puppies. She loves that irresistible puppy breath!

Her hobbies include going to the beach, hiking and spending time with her family, friends and pets.

She has two little dogs in her pet family. A female Tibetan Spaniel named Bailey, and a female Boston Terrier named Harley.  Penny also has a pet mijiro named Poquito.

Ha'aheo ("Ha'a") Watson

Veterinary Assistant 

Ha'aheo (Ha'a for short), joined our Paradise Animal Clinic team 2021. In clinic, she enjoys assisting with yearly wellness examinations and surgeries. She also enjoys performing ear cleanings and ultrasonic prophylactic dental cleanings. 

Ha'a has a son and three dogs: Luke (Dobermann), Obi (Pitbull), and Chris (Dobermann). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors where they love to be (beach, dirt biking), and simply just cruising. 

Hinano ("Hina") Tandal 

Veterinary Assistant 

Hinano, or Hina, as everyone calls her, joined our Paradise Animal Clinic team in 2020. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include: venipuncture (drawing blood), operating our in-house Idexx laboratory diagnostic machines, cleaning ears, and making new "fur buddies" everyday. 

She is a proud mother of three children (Zalei'a, Waikoa, and Aurora), with a fur baby named Tako (a male Chihuahua mix). In her free time, Hina loves spending time at the beach and gym, or going on hikes with her kiddos. 

Hunter Akita 

Veterinary Assistant 

Hunter joined our Paradise Animal Clinic team in 2022. She is a college student at the University of Hawaii Kauai Community College pursuing her pre-requisite coursework to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Her passions include wound care (cleaning and shaving dogs with "hot spots" or lacerations), and seeing puppies for their wellness examinations (although, Hunter does enjoy working with larger dogs). 

She has a Border Collie/Kelpie mix named Ultra. In her free time, she enjoys participating in rodeo roping events, riding dirt bikes, playing sports, and cracking jokes (at home and in the clinic). 

Kalani Parbo

Veterinary Assistant

Kalani joined the Paradise Animal Clinic team in 2019 as a veterinary assistant. Kalani is a current undergraduate student at Washington State University pursing a degree in animal science on the pre-veterinary medicine track. We love having Kalani back at home with our team during his university breaks. 

Kalani's dogs, Lewa and Kia'i, are frequent flyers, keeping Kalani company in Pullman, Washington while he hits the books at Wazzu!