Announcements – West Hawaii Region https://www.westhawaiiregion.org Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:40:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-WHR-logo-mark-square-1-32x32.png Announcements – West Hawaii Region https://www.westhawaiiregion.org 32 32 Kohala Hospital Expands Radiology Hours and Reopens Emergency Department Waiting Area https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/kohala-hospital-expands-radiology-hours-and-reopens-emergency-department-waiting-area/ https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/kohala-hospital-expands-radiology-hours-and-reopens-emergency-department-waiting-area/#_comments Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:42:21 +0000 https://hhsc.org/whr/?p=742 Kohala Hospital has expanded its Radiology outpatient hours to make care more convenient for our patients. Services are now available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

In addition, the Emergency Department (ED) waiting area has reopened to the public for the first time since COVID. Patients can enjoy a comfortable space while waiting for their appointment.

These updates are part of the West Hawaii Region’s ongoing effort to improve access and experience at our hospitals for every patient, every day.

For details, contact (808) 889-6211.

]]> https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/kohala-hospital-expands-radiology-hours-and-reopens-emergency-department-waiting-area/feed/ 0 West Hawaii Region Launches New Hospital Foundation to Advance Regional System of Care https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/west-hawaii-region-launches-new-hospital-foundation-to-advance-regional-system-of-care/ https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/west-hawaii-region-launches-new-hospital-foundation-to-advance-regional-system-of-care/#_comments Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:36:10 +0000 https://hhsc.org/whr/?p=679 Kona, Hawaiʻi — Oct. 28, 2025– The West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation which includes the Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital, has launched the West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, a new nonprofit organization designed to strengthen the region’s healthcare delivery system through philanthropy and community partnership. As the official foundation of the West Hawaii Region, the organization will serve as the philanthropic arm for both hospitals—raising funds to support facility improvements, new services, and healthcare education programs that strengthen the regional system of care.

The Foundation’s mission is to fund programs, services, and improvements that enhance patient care, promote wellness, and ensure access for all.

As the healthcare landscape faces ongoing challenges, including potential reductions in Medicare reimbursement, the Foundation will play a vital role in providing supplemental funding to ensure stability and growth for the West Hawaiʻi Region’s hospitals and outpatient services.

Key Priorities Include:
• Expansion of New Sites & Services: Funding strategic initiatives that increase access to specialty and primary care across the region.
• Supporting Critical, Emergent Needs: A campaign to raise 3.5 million dollars to improve emergency services and critical care for the West Side.
• Healthcare Academy: A campaign to raise $500,000 to support workforce development, including educational opportunities for existing employees and students pursuing the healthcare glidepath.
• Regional Approach: Strengthening collaboration across Kona Community Hospital, Kohala Hospital, and affiliated services to maximize impact and avoid duplication of resources.

“Launching a regional foundation allows us to align philanthropic investment in West Hawaii for Kona Community and Kohala Hospital’s current and future needs with the systemwide needs of the West Hawaiʻi Region,” said Amy Feeley-Austin, Chair of the Foundation. “This coordinated approach ensures that community support translates into sustainable healthcare solutions for generations to come.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.whrhospitalfoundation.org or contact Amy Feeley-Austin at amy@whrhospitalfoundation.org or at 808.322.5866.

]]> https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/west-hawaii-region-launches-new-hospital-foundation-to-advance-regional-system-of-care/feed/ 0 Hoʻololi – The West Hawaii Region Newsletter https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/announcements/hoololi-the-west-hawaii-region-newsletter/ https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/announcements/hoololi-the-west-hawaii-region-newsletter/#_comments Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:34:22 +0000 https://hhsc.org/whr/?p=677

In ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Ho’ololi means “to transform”. Every quarter, West Hawaii Region highlights the updates, improvements and ongoing work to transform healthcare for the community. Each issue features the people, from community members and partners to staff and doctors, driving positive change for every patient, every day at Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital.

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Past Newsletters

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WEST HAWAII REGION HOSTS BLESSING FOR NEWLY EXPANDED INFUSION CENTER AT KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

KEALAKEKUA, HAWAI‘I – West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) held a blessing ceremony Friday, Feb. 6 to…

Read more
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THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS AND HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION JOIN FORCES TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND HEALTH CARE ACCESS ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND

THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS AND HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION JOIN FORCES TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND HEALTH CARE ACCESS ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND…

Read more
West Hawaii Region Foundation Logo

West Hawaii Region Launches New Hospital Foundation to Advance Regional System of Care

Kona, Hawaiʻi — Oct. 28, 2025– The West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation which includes the Kona Community…

Read more
Group-photo-including-pharmacy-team

GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN JOINS KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL TO CELEBRATE BLESSING OF NEWLY EXPANDED PHARMACY

KEALAKEKUA – Governor Josh Green, M.D., joined Kona Community Hospital (KCH) officials and state legislators on Monday in a special…

Read more
]]> https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/announcements/hoololi-the-west-hawaii-region-newsletter/feed/ 0 Big Island Now: Kona Community Hospital expands oncology services with full-time radiation oncologist https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/new-radiation-oncologist-joins-kona-community-hospital/ https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/new-radiation-oncologist-joins-kona-community-hospital/#_comments Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:31:29 +0000 https://hhsc.org/whr/?p=673 West Hawaii Region is pleased to announce that Carl R. Jenson, M.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist with 41 years of clinical and research experience, is joining Kona Community Hospital (KCH) as a full-time, permanent provider. Read more

]]> https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/whr-news/new-radiation-oncologist-joins-kona-community-hospital/feed/ 0 Kona Community Hospital to Begin Parking Lot Expansion and Improvement Project https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/kona-community-hospital/kona-community-hospital-to-begin-parking-lot-expansion-and-improvement-project/ https://www.westhawaiiregion.org/kona-community-hospital/kona-community-hospital-to-begin-parking-lot-expansion-and-improvement-project/#_comments Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:19:22 +0000 https://hhsc.org/whr/?p=667 March 19, 2026

🚧 Parking Lot Project Update 🚧

After a long delay due to issues at the asphalt plant, we are finally able to resume the parking lot improvement project.
The work will happen in three phases: paving, coating, and striping. The current timeline is March 30 through May 4.
During this time, visitors the hospital may notice construction noise and the distinct smell of asphalt while work is underway. Some areas of the parking lot will also be temporarily blocked off as crews move through the different phases of the project.
To help things run smoothly, signage and ground markings will be in place, and both Security and the contractors will be on site to help direct traffic, guide parking, and answer questions.
If you’re able, we encourage parking at the Old Courthouse so patients and their visitors can use the parking spaces closer to the hospital.

We will share updates and will notify everyone right away if there are any changes that might affect access to campus.

 

July 17, 2025
🚧 Temporary Parking Changes 🚧

Construction is underway at Kona Community Hospital, and 18 stalls near the project area are temporarily closed through early August. Please plan ahead and allow extra time to park when visiting.  Although overflow parking is available at the Old Courthouse, patient and visitor parking remains prioritized closest to the hospital.

July 11, 2025
Kealakekua, HI —Kona Community Hospital (KCH) will begin a parking lot expansion, resurfacing, and paving project on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, with work expected to continue through mid-October. This project is part of the critical infrastructure improvements funded through the Risk of Closure Capital Improvement Project (CIP) allocation provided by the State Legislature and Governor Josh Green.

The project will improve parking access and safety for staff, patients, visitors, and the community. Patient and visitor parking will remain available throughout the project, but drivers should expect to be rerouted to different parking areas as work progresses.

Traffic control personnel will be on-site as needed to help direct vehicles and ensure safe and efficient access to the hospital. Additional parking is available at the Old Courthouse lot located just below the hospital for anyone who chooses to use it. If special assistance is needed to travel from the Old Courthouse lot to the hospital, arrangements can be made with the hospital’s maintenance team during daytime hours only.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work through this important project,” said Jane Clement, Regional Director of Marketing, Legislative Affairs and Strategy. “Our goal is to continue supporting every patient, every day by improving accessibility and ensuring a safe, welcoming experience for everyone coming to the hospital.”
Regular project updates will be posted on our website at kch.hhsc.org and shared on our social pages at Facebook and Instagram @westhawaiiregion .

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