(Image courtesy of Hospice of Hilo)

MEDIA RELEASE

Hospice of Hilo is opening the doors Friday, June 22 of Pohai Malama, a Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Care Center.

The public is invited to the grand opening at 590 Kapiolani Street. The home will be blessed at 11 a.m., followed by a light lunch and an open house 1-6 pm.

The 14,140-square-foot home-like facility features 12 patient bedrooms, a dining room, meditation room, a spa, keiki room, family room, a palliative care center, and a training center.

The sorely needed inpatient home on Hawaii Island will provide hospice care to patients of all ages including children. The facility can serve those who require specialized attention or around the clock care.

“The care center is the culmination of support and collaboration of Hospice of Hilo and the community,” said Brenda Ho, CEO of Hospice of Hilo. “We would like to thank all of those who helped us achieve success and ask for your continued support during our journey.”

Hospice of Hilo invites the community to be a part of the success. To date, Hospice of Hilo has raised more than $9.4 million toward the $10 million cost of construction. Members of the community are asked to consider making a donation and help Hospice of Hilo to complete this crucially-needed healthcare home without debt for the island of Hawaii.

Pohai Malama still needs contributions and Hospice of Hilo is registered at www.macys.com and www.target.com under “Hospice”, first name, “Hilo”, last name.

Donors can purchase kitchen items, home décor, linens, children’s books and toys for the home.

Hospice of Hilo is a private, non-profit agency providing compassionate, quality end-of-life care through support, counseling, and education.

For more than 25 years Hospice of Hilo has served Hawaii Island from Lapahoehoe to South Point. Care and support is provided to all terminally ill patients and their families without regard to diagnosis, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, race, creed, disability, age, place of residence or ability to pay.

Through the tremendous support and collaborative efforts between Hospice of Hilo, local and statewide business leaders and the state and local government, the care center will now be a reality.

This building will enable Hospice of Hilo to serve patients, who in the past, could not receive hospice care due to the lack of a caretaker or home, or whose pain and symptoms required more specialized care.

Soon, patients and their families will be able to access short-term continuous care in a comfortable home-like setting.

Details of the 14,140 square foot facility include:

* 12 patient bedrooms, each with a bathroom, handicap accessible shower, two beds (one for patient and other for visiting guest), television, closet, sitting area, private lanai and individually
controlled air conditioning

* Dining room where patients can experience meals together with loved ones

* Meditation room for reflection

* Spa with a full-body tub to ease discomfort

* Keiki and family room where patients and their visiting guests can gather

* Palliative care (comfort care) wing with exam room to provide specialized care to patients within hospice and referrals from the community

* Training room for community and professionals interested in learning about innovative end-of-life care practice

* Beautifully landscaped grounds providing peaceful outdoor space

For more information about the Capital Campaign or the grand opening contact, An Umamoto, at (808) 969-1733, email anthuyn@hospiceofhilo.org or visit www.hospiceofhilo.org