Categorized | Featured, Health

Hale Hoola Hamakua celebrates opening of Maile Wing

Dignitaries and elected officials pose in the entrance of the new Maile Wing after the maile lei was untied at the grand opening celebration. (Photo courtesy of Hale Hoola Hamakua)

Special to Hawaii 24/7 by Elena Cabatu | Hilo Medical Center Community Relations Manager

After more than 15 years of community advocacy and legislative support to meet the growing long term care needs of North Hawaii and the Hamakua Coast, Hale Hoola Hamakua has celebrated the grand opening of Maile Wing.

“We are very grateful to be able to provide long term care for more people living in North Hawaii and along the Hamakua Coast,” said Cathy Meyer Uyehara, administrator of Hale Hoola Hamakua. “I would like to thank the community for their ongoing support of our facility, as well as, my staff who have worked to hard to transition and grow into the new Maile Wing.”

“The new Maile Wing is beautiful and very accommodating for residents, as well as, staff,” said Howard N. Ainsley, East Hawaii Regional CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. “I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone at Hale Hoola Hamakua, including the community and current and former Big Island legislators, for making the Maile Wing a reality.”

Construction for the expansion project began in October 2009. In May 2010, the new Maile Wing was completed at the cost of $9.2 million.

The total number of beds at Hale Hoola Hamakua increased from 50 to 77 and the total square footage of the facility increased from 34,600 sq. ft. to 49,534 sq. ft. The expansion also provided for the creation of an estimated 19 jobs, of which will amount to a total of 115 employees at Hale Hoola Hamakua.

During Sen. Dwight Takamine’s congratulatory message, he presented Administrator Meyer-Uyehara with a compilation of 89 letters of support from community members and local businesses, in addition to six petitions, that urged Gov. Linda Lingle in 2006 to release the $9.2 million in appropriated funds for the expansion project.

Congratulatory remarks were provided by the following: Cathy Meyer-Uyehara, Hale Hoola Hamakua Administrator; Howard N. Ainsley, East Hawaii Regional CEO, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Susan Hunt, member of East Hawaii Regional Board of Directors; Alice Hall, Corporate CEO, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Alan Parker, Hawaii County Office of Aging; Desiree Cruz, Representative, Mayor William Kenoi; Hawaii State Rep. Mark Nakashima; Hawaii State Sen. Dwight Takamine; Marc Miranda, East Hawaii Liaison, Office of State of Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle; and Delbert Nishimoto, East Hawaii Representative U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.

Hale Hoola Hamakua facility, originally known as Honokaa Hospital, has served the healthcare needs of the communities of Hamakua, North Hawaii and South Kohala since 1951.

In November 1995, the current facility was opened above the old hospital, to provide long term care services. The facility was renamed Hale Hoola Hamakua (Haven of Wellness in Hamakua) in 1997 to reflect its new focus.

Hale Hoola Hamakua is a part of the East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a public corporation established in 1996 by the State of Hawaii to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare.

— Find out more:
www.hhsc.org/easthi/hhh/default.htm

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