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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2026-06 Keaau Benioff Health Center_PCDP Meeting_Final PDFKea`au Benioff Health Center A Partnership for a Healthier East Hawaiʻi Presented by Hilo Benioff Medical Center in partnership with W.H. Shipman, Ltd. April 2026 Communication No. 2026-06 Our Vision •A place of healing, connection, and community •Family-focused care for children and adults Community Impact •Expands local healthcare access •Reduces travel burden to Hilo •Creates local jobs •Supports community resilience •Strengthens partnerships with schools, police, fire, and businesses Collaboration in Action •Hilo Benioff Medical Center (HHSC East Hawaiʻi Region) •W.H. Shipman, Ltd. •State of Hawaiʻi (Governor & Legislature) •Benioff Foundation •Hawaiʻi County (Mayor & County Council) •Local schools, first responders, and business community Shipman Park Kea`au Elementary & High School Kea`au Benioff Health Center Project Access road concept –not finalized Main Kea`au intersection on Hwy 11 w/traffic signal Project Overview •Size: 36,000 sq. ft. •Completion: 2028 •Staffing: 95 employees + 25 providers •Hours: 12 hrs/day, 7 days/week (most activity during business hours) •Cost: $70+million Services •Enhanced Urgent Care -No emergency room or ambulance transport •Primary Care •Specialty Care –Ex. Cardiology, Urology •Imaging –X-Ray, Ultrasound and CT •Behavioral Health -Preventive and management services for adults and children, no crisis management, no substance abuse treatment “We’re not just investing in a building —we’re investing in people.” —Sen. Joy San Buenaventura Urgent, Primary, Specialty Care & Imaging Outpatient Behavioral Health –Adults & Children Facility Construction Timeline WINTER 25 Environmental Assessment WINTER 25–SPRING 26 Design Development FALL 26-WINTER 26 Permitting & Approvals WINTER 26 Contractor Procurement SPRING 27 Groundbreaking FALL-WINTER 2028 Facility Opening FALL 25 Community Conversations Traffic Impact Analysis •No big traffic problems expected. Roads including Hwy 11, Route 139, and the road near Keaʻau High School —will continue to move smoothly. •A small increase in cars, not a major change. Clinic will add about 100 extra cars in the morning and around 150 in the evening. •A new driveway will help with flow. A new access road will connect Highway 11 to the clinic. •No need for road widening or new traffic lights. No major road construction needed. Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee Questions 1.Are there any plans to expand the campus to include an adjacent hospital? If so, is there a general timeline for when planning/design might begin? 2.In what ways will the Hilo Benioff Medical Center support employment and career pathways to high school students in Keaʻau? 3.How will the Medical Center ensure staff are appropriately trained to serve the local community, including an understanding of local traditions, values, and communication styles? 4.How will native plants be incorporated into the project’s landscape design? 5.What partnerships or relationships are being established to demonstrate the Medical Center’s commitment to being a long-term community steward? 6.How will the design of the facility (both structurally and aesthetically) reflect the community it serves? 7.Will there be a focus on local hiring, and if so, what processes will support that effort? Community Concerns •Behavioral Health •Not an Emergency Room •Location •Future Development •Business Competition “We’re building more than a health center — we’re building a future of wellness and opportunity for East Hawaiʻi"