HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-12 Letter to John M. Mizuno and Bertrand Kobayashi SB 1410, SD1, HD1 Relating to Emergency Services (Kaʻu Hospital)
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 12, 2019
Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair
Representative Bertrand Kobayashi, Vice Chair
Committee on Health
Dear Chair Mizuno, Vice Chair Kobayashi, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 1410, SD1, HD1 Relating to Emergency Services (Kaʻu Hospital)
While I do not have enough information to comment on part II of your proposed SB 1410, SD1, HD1, I
want to thank you for retaining the original provision in the bill (now Part I) dealing with the Kaʻu Rural Health
Clinic.
Kaʻu 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, and so has traffic (and the potential for traffic-related injuries). While Ocean View can be serviced
by either Kaʻu Hospital or Kona Community Hospital, the need for emergency care in Kaʻu is clear.
I know you have limited resources and unlimited priorities. I can only hope that Part I of proposed
SB1410, SD1, HD1, will be seen as a small investment of funds with life-saving rewards.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR