Kona Community Hospital is continuing its efforts to obtain community input on its long-term plan to build a replacement hospital.

The hospital announced in October its intention to build a new facility. Since then it has hired a consultant, Peter Adler, to assist with planning issues. Adler is currently conducting interviews in the medical and business communities for comments on the prospect of the plan.

The public is being invited to take part in a community survey posted on the hospital’s website. The results of this informal survey, a formal survey and interviews will be posted sometime after February 2013.

Hospital officials note that the current hospital in Kealakekua is aging and lacks sufficient space to expand current clinical services or add new services. They said the hospital’s plans to continue to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, attract new physicians and increase efficiency will require a new, modernized facility.

“This is the pre-planning phase for a replacement hospital,” said Kona Community Hospital CEO Jay Kreuzer. “KCH is a community hospital, so we’re seeking input from the entire community to help us determine what West Hawaii needs in a hospital.”

Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service acute care hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. It was recently designated as a Level III trauma center supporting the west region of the Big Island.