STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2193

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2701

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2701 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation-West Hawaiʻi Region; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; The Queen's Health Systems; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that in North Kona, population growth has outpaced the growth of outpatient and specialty health care services, leading to longer travel times, delayed care, and pressure on emergency resources. Your Committee further finds that establishment of a new hospital in North Kona will help with recruiting physicians to the island of Hawaii, which will help address the island's ongoing struggles with physician shortages, while also creating new jobs and opportunities for the growing West Hawaii region. This measure supports improved access to timely, locally delivered health care for Hawaii island residents and strengthens the long-term stability of the West Hawaii health care system.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2701 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair