HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-21 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 2617 Relating to Emergency Services •• Roy Takemoto
•4pJ+t'= M�?►+; A9anaging Director
Harry Kim ••,•n\ 'I,��'r'•'
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
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Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
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February 21, 2020
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2617 Relating to Emergency Services
Ka`u Hospital is a small rural facility serving a very large geographic area.
Although the traditional population centers of Pahala and Naalehu are fairly stable, the
number of residents in Ocean View has grown enormously (including a large
Micronesian population), and so has traffic (and the potential for traffic-related injuries).
While Ocean View can be serviced by either Ka`u Hospital or Kona Community
Hospital, the need for urgent care in Ka`u is clear.
I know you have limited resources and unlimited priorities, but a year ago this
Committee and the full Senate passed a bill, SB 1410, to help Ka'u, recognizing that it
would constitute a small investment of funds with life-saving rewards. SB 1410 died in
Finance, but we hope you will try again.
Respectfully Submitted,
e
Harry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.