Progress On State Hospital Modernization Is Outlined For Kaneohe Neighborhood Board

The Hawaii State Hospital was an important topic during our June meeting.

We learned that Gov. David Ige has approved the final environmental impact statement for the hospital’s new patient and campus master plan development. And we learned that the hospital has started the bidding process for the new facility, which will provide housing and treatment for 144 high-risk patients. (For more information, contact Project Engineer Brian Isa at brian.s.isa@hawaii.gov.)

The facility and the master plan are part of a long-term effort to upgrade buildings that are more than 80 years old and over capacity.

Hospital Administrator William May (right) and
consultant Kira Downing of the DTL strategic planning
firm outline plans for the Hawaii State Hospital.

In addition to the high-risk facility, the hospital is working with Avalon Health Care Group to build a skilled nursing facility on 5 acres of hospital property adjacent to Windward Community College. That facility will have 150 beds to serve a mix of elderly, medically complex and non-violent psychiatric patients.  

During the meeting, there were questions about security measures to protect the hospital’s neighbors. Hospital representatives outlined multiple security features planned for the building that serves high-risk patients, including better monitoring stations inside and enhanced fencing outside.

Representatives also said they will send alerts in the event of security issues such as escapes. Residents can receive text and email alerts about hospital issues from the city’s new HNL Info service. HNL Info replaces the Nixle service, which the city had used for several years. To sign up for HNL Info, click here.

During the meeting, Neighborhood Board members also asked for information about the extent to which drugs will be used in providing behavioral care and questioned operating a private business on state land.

We Welcome Your Comments

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and comment there.

State Hospital Master Plan And Victims’ Rights Top Agenda For Kaneohe Neighborhood Board

The agenda for our September 15 meeting is set, and we hope you will join us. Details are below. To review the complete agenda online, click on this link.

State Hospital Master Plan: Kira Downing of DTL, a strategic planning and communications firm, will provide a briefing about progress on the hospital’s updated master plan. Work has been under way since February on demolishing one of the hospital’s main buildings. The plan calls for that facility, the Goddard Building, to be torn down by this fall. After that, construction is to begin on a building to serve high-risk patients. The hospital has been one of our top priorities for several years, as it is one of Kaneohe’s largest employers and has a significant impact on Windward Community College next door. You can learn more about our work on hospital issues by entering Hawaii State Hospital in the search bar at the top left of this page.

Victims’ Rights Resolution: Our vice-chairman, Bill Sager, will present a resolution supporting legislation to strengthen crime victims’ rights in Hawaii. He told our August meeting that the legislation, modeled on “Marsy’s Law,” would provide crime victims with standing in any legal action against anyone who harmed them, including being notified when the criminal was released from jail. The 2016 Legislature considered a bill on the issue but did not pass it. Supporters have said they will seek passage in the 2017 session.

Other Business: Our agenda always includes time for reports from the Fire and Police Departments, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, elected officials from the state and local levels, community organizations, and our Board committees.

Vacant Seats: Two seats are currently open on the Board. They represent Sub-District 8, Kapunahala; and Sub-District 12, Pikoiloa. The Board is authorized to fill vacancies by appointment. Community members may indicate their interest by contacting Board Chairman Mo Radke or by attending a Board meeting. A map of the district is available online, as is a street index that is organized by sub-district (search for District 30 in the index, then find the sub-district).

Details: The Board meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, 45-259 Waikalua Road, starting at 7 p.m. 

Click on the highlighted links above to read the full agenda and find more information about agenda topics. The minutes of our August meeting also are now available. Click on the highlighted link to read them.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

Please join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and comment there.