#Judy Donovan

Public optimistic but express concerns regarding funding and location of proposed new Kona hospital

About 70 people attended a public informational meeting in the Hawai‘i County Council Chambers at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, held by Kona Community Hospital leadership to discuss a recent report that assessed the current and future healthcare needs of West Hawai‘i.

Report: 2 locations identified as potential sites for new Kona Community Hospital

The 50-year-old hospital — built in Kealakekua in 1974 — could potentially move to the old Kmart site or the Queen’s site in the West Hawai‘i business park next to Costco.

Kona Community Hospital at risk of closure due to outdated utilities

The nearly 50-year-old Kona Community Hospital — built in 1974 — runs the risk of closure every day due to outdated utilities and is lobbying the State Legislature for funding to deal with the problems.