Earlier this week, Kona Community Hospital leaders held an information session at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center to unveil findings from a recent report on West Hawaiʻi’s long-term healthcare needs.
About 70 community members congregated in the Council Chambers to ask questions related to cost, timeline, recruitment, and housing challenges associated with building a possible new facility.
“These information sessions ensure our community has an opportunity to learn about the future of their medical care. It’s a critical step in this long-anticipated process,” said Clayton McGhan, Kona Community Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer in a press release.
Community members also asked about the benefits and challenges of building a new facility at the former Kmart location, or at an undeveloped parcel in West Hawaiʻi Business Park. The two places were identified as the best potential locations for a new hospital facility to serve the area’s changing and growing population.
Monday’s event was the first of two community information sessions. The second will take place today from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Kona Community Hospital Conference Rooms, Admin Building 79-1019 Haukapila Street in Kealakekua.
The full report can be found online at kch.hhsc.org
Photo credit: Kona Community Hospital