KEALAKEKUA, HAWAI‘I – West Hawaii Region (WHR) of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation today announced the acquisition of Ali‘i Health Center (AHC), bringing its outpatient clinics into the region’s healthcare delivery network. As part of the transition, Ali‘i Health Center will now operate as Kona Health, a clinical department of Kona Community Hospital (KCH). The transition will allow Kona Health to expand into a provider-based rural health center, providing greater access to specialty services and additional resources with the support of KCH.

“Ali‘i Health Center has long been a vital source of services in our community, and bringing it directly under Kona Community Hospital marks a major step forward for healthcare in West Hawai‘i,” said Clayton McGhan, CEO of WHR. “This brings that relationship into a single, more integrated system of care built around our patients, their families and their health. By aligning our workforce, services and hospital capacity with the needs of Hawai‘i Island residents, we are building a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.”

Patients may continue to see their trusted physician at their same clinic locations, with no changes to accepted insurance. As part of a fully integrated healthcare system, patients will also benefit from greater access to diagnostic services, smoother specialty referrals, and better coordination of care between clinics, outpatient services, the emergency department and KCH.

Operating as Kona Health, the clinics are now supported by the regional health system’s wider infrastructure, patient programs and dedicated hospital support teams. This ensures that clinical and hospital services are supported by KCH’s resources, providing every patient with comprehensive quality care that extends from routine preventative wellness to ongoing treatment.

“For patients, this means a system of care that wraps around them and their families for whatever comes next. Their trusted providers are now connected more closely with the full resources of Kona Community Hospital,” said McGhan.

KEALAKEKUA, HAWAIʻI — West Hawaii Region (WHR) announced today a $2,088,560 grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to the West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation (WHRHF) to establish an adolescent inpatient behavioral health unit at Kona Community Hospital (KCH). The hospital’s existing inpatient behavioral health department, Kalani Ola, will be renovated and include five pediatric beds, a 17% increase to Hawaiʻi’s total adolescent behavioral health capacity. This adolescent unit will be the only of its kind outside of O‘ahu.

“Youth who arrive at KCH’s emergency department in behavioral health crisis sometimes have to wait up to five to six weeks for an available bed on Oʻahu,” said Clayton McGhan, CEO of WHR. “When a bed does open, they are flown by air ambulance, separating them from their families during a vulnerable moment of their life.

This grant allows us to care for our community right here at home, and for that we are grateful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. The Trust’s partnership through this process and confidence in our vision has been remarkable.”

Kalani Ola opened in 2001 and was originally designed with an adolescent behavioral health unit in mind. Since then, Kalani Ola has been providing adult behavioral health care through self-care enhancement, symptom stabilization and community reintegration services. Through funding from Helmsley, the facility will renovate the

space adding indoor common areas, adolescent beds and outdoor common areas for adolescent care. In addition, staff training, IT infrastructure and culturally resonant practices will be integrated into the adolescent program.

“Solving the youth behavioral health crisis requires a comprehensive level of care that addresses service gaps, tailors to cultural nuances, and takes place in local

communities,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “Kalani Ola’s new adolescent behavioral health unit will serve as an important step towards

ensuring every child has the chance to heal close to home with family and loved ones.”

WHRHF is the official philanthropic partner of WHR and its hospitals, advancing its shared mission and priorities through community-supported giving. WHRHF was instrumental in bringing this project together, cultivating relationships with the

community and with funders like the Helmsley Charitable Trust. The foundation will continue to pursue major grants and gifts that expand care for Hawaiʻi Island families.

“We’re deeply grateful to Helmsley for this grant, and for the care they have shown in understanding our needs and prioritizing our most pressing issues,” said Amy Feeley-

Austin, president of WHRHF and COO of WHR. “We couldn’t be more thankful for what this means for every adolescent who comes to us seeking critical behavioral health care. For so many young people, this care will be life-changing.”

“I have long supported efforts to expand health care capacity in West Hawaiʻi, and I’m proud the Legislature recognized the importance of maintaining this project in the state budget,” said  Governor Josh Green. “This investment is an important step toward building a stronger, more resilient health care system that meets the growing needs of the community.”

The funding, finalized with passage of the state budget, represents a significant investment in expanding access to essential outpatient services and strengthening the health care system for residents of West Hawaiʻi.

“This investment is a powerful commitment to the people oh Hawai‘i island,” said Clayton McGhan, CEO of the West Hawaii Region, HHSC. “It allows us to expand outpatient capacity and ensure that more residents can receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.”

The Outpatient Care Center has been a longstanding priority for West Hawaii Region, addressing critical needs for expanded outpatient services and reducing barriers to care for families. Securing and preserving funding required a sustained advocacy and leadership throughout the legislative session.

“Delivering this $50 million investment for West Hawaiʻi is the result of strong collaboration and a shared commitment to our community,” said Senator Dru Kanuha. “This investment
creates a catalyst for the health care infrastructure needed to meet the growing demands of the region.”

West Hawaiʻi Region also thanked the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means Committees for recognizing the importance of the project and maintaining their support through complex budget deliberations.

“For years I have fought to improve health care in West Hawaii because I have heard from district residents about the lack of specialists, long travel times, and limited access to essential services, said Representative Nicole Lowen. “This funding is about more than a building; it is the anchor that will lead to a new hospital in North Kona, and will ensure the continued improvement of our health care capacity and services well into the future”

“In a rural community like West Hawaiʻi, access to health care is not guaranteed, it is something we have to intentionally invest in and fight for, said Representative Kirstin Kahaloa. “This funding for the Outpatient Care Center is a critical step toward ensuring our families can receive timely, high-quality care closer to home. It reflects our commitment to health equity and to meeting our community where they are.”

The Outpatient Care Center will further strengthen a public-private partnership between the State of Hawaiʻi and The Queen’s Health Systems. With the state’s investment in the Outpatient Care Center and Queen’s development of its hospital, the collaboration will deliver a more comprehensive and coordinated system of care for West Hawaiʻi.

“By pairing state investment with private development, we are maximizing the impact of public funds and building a more resilient health care system for our community,” Jason Chang, President and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, said. “This project will improve access, enhance health outcomes, and support the long term well being of our West Hawai‘i residents. We are incredibly thankful to area legislators, Governor Green, and the entire legislature for their investment in the health care of our state.”

The Nurse Residency Program is a 12-month engagement starting in July through June and is designed to support individuals as they transition from nursing school into clinical practice. Residents complete required certifications through KCH, including the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, depending on their clinical department. In addition, residents receive mentorship and guidance in a supportive environment built to help new nurses develop confidence and clinical skills.

Throughout the program, residents have the opportunity to practice their skills, discuss challenging experiences, debrief patient care situations, and deepen their clinical knowledge. They expand their understanding of not just the “how” but the “why” behind patient care and clinical decision-making.

During the celebration, residents presented research-based projects in groups of three, demonstrating the critical thinking, clinical growth and professional development they cultivated throughout the program. The ceremony recognized each resident’s dedication, accomplishments, and commitment to delivering high-quality patient care.

West Hawaii Region is honored to train individuals with compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to providing care. The program provides valuable experience and prepares residents for the next steps in their careers. We look forward to the meaningful impact they will have on every patient, their team, and our community. Congratulations to the 2025–2026 Nurse Residency Program graduates!

Kona Community Hospital (KCH) attained Level III trauma center designation in 2011.  As a Level III trauma center, KCH provides resources for emergency resuscitation, stabilization, emergency surgery and intensive care of trauma patients.  This streamlines the process for treatment of traumatic injuries and decreases time needed for emergency care.

Level III trauma designation utilizes a team approach.  The team assembles in the emergency department when a patient meets trauma activation criteria, often in a pre-hospital setting.  Rapid response by the Trauma Center team provides optimal patient evaluation and stabilization, improved communications for rapid decision making for transfer to definitive care facilities and improved outcomes for trauma patients.

As a Level III trauma center, Kona Community Hospital is connected with the statewide trauma system.  Level III status means that Hawaii County is better equipped to reduce death rates from trauma.

• Dr. Adam McMahan, Family Medicine
• Dr. James Finney, Family Medicine
• Dr. Crystal Hammer, Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine
• Dr. Dana Vinter, Internal Medicine
• Dr. Brendan Burkholder, Internal Medi cine

Hospitalists specialize in caring for patients during their hospital stay, working closely with nurses, specialists, emergency department staff, and care teams to ensure coordinated, compassionate treatment from admission through discharge. Around-the-clock physician coverage enhances continuity of care and supports timely clinical decision-making. This model helps streamline communication, reduce delays in treatment, and improve the overall patient experience. “We appreciate the opportunity to care for the patients in our community and are committed to providing high quality care to our Kohala Hospital patients. We will continue to work collaboratively to improve the care and access to care in our community,” said Dr. Crystal Hammer, president of MPH. The addition of MPH strengthens inpatient care and physician coverage at Kohala Hospital, part of West Hawaii Region’s continued commitment to ensuring we are here for every patient, every day.