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.

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