Dr. Justin Wakayama was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai'i. After graduating from Punahou School, he attended the University of California, Davis, where he achieved an undergraduate degree (BS in Animal Biology) as a Regent Scholar, their highest achievement. He earned his DVM from Colorado State University, did a rotating internship at VCA West Los Angeles, and a specialty internship at Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles. He completed his Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Minnesota before moving back to Hawaii to practice internal medicine at VCA Family & Oahu Veterinary Specialty Center.

He enjoys fishing and hiking. He has two cats, Keeper and Chi, and adopted his first dog, Penny, in 2017.