State Hospital Developments Are Reviewed At Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting

We heard an informative report about developments at the Hawaii State Hospital during our December meeting. Details are below. Click on the highlighted links for more information.

Public Input Sought: Neighborhood Board Chairman Mo Radke reminded us that a draft environmental impact statement about the hospital’s development plans is available for review and comment. The deadline for submitting comments is January 9, 2017. The document outlines plans for a new patient care facility that is to be built in the next two to three years. It also details longer term plans for at least three new patient care facilities and a warehouse-operations facility. The development is needed to address crowding and deteriorating facilities and the hospital’s Kaneohe campus.

William May.

Goddard Building Removal: State Hospital Administrator William May told us that removal of 11,000 tons of debris from the demolished Goddard Building was completed on December 15. The demolition makes way for construction of the new patient care facility mentioned above. That project is expected to start in 2018. Built in 1947, the Goddard Building had deteriorated to the point that it had not been used in more than two decades. The Legislature has appropriated $160 million to build its replacement.

Security: Mr. May told us that the hospital has added security features since the escape and recapture of a patient shortly before Halloween. He said security screens have been added to the building where the escape took place and one other. He also said security features have been adjusted to prevent escapes.