HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1638
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

making an appropriation for a kona hospital site assessment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the community of West Hawaii is challenged in terms of available medical services and in need of a new medical facility. Kona Community Hospital is currently housed in an aging facility that was constructed in 1974. The population in the Kona area has grown and migrated north since the hospital was built almost fifty years ago, so the hospital is no longer located in the area with the highest residential density and need for services. While the highway in North Kona has been expanded, the hospital in South Kona sits on a single-lane highway that is vulnerable to traffic congestion, making it difficult for emergency vehicles and others to reach the hospital quickly.

The legislature notes that, although there is a need to expand the current Kona Community Hospital facility so that more services can be provided to the community, the expansion is prevented by the facility's wastewater system, which is already at capacity. The hospital's location and need for modernization also makes it difficult to recruit new doctors and other medical personnel and to retain current medical staff. This further exacerbates the physician and healthcare worker shortage that is being experienced statewide.

The legislature recognizes that the Kona community has outgrown the current facility, creating a crucial need for a new hospital in Kona. A new, more modern facility can provide additional services, better access to the airport for medical airlifts, and a more convenient location for the area's residents. The new hospital will also serve as an attractive workplace and will help the State recruit doctors and healthcare workers to fill the State's critical need.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for a site assessment to identify and evaluate viable locations for a new hospital site in North Kona.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for a site assessment to identify and evaluate viable locations for a new hospital site in North Kona on the island of Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

HHSC; North Kona; Hospital; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to conduct a site assessment to identify and evaluate viable locations for a new hospital site in North Kona on the island of Hawaii.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.