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Healthcare

 

Hawaii has been a trendsetter in healthcare since the 1960s. In fact, statistically it's the healthiest state in the United States, boasting longer lives and fewer instances of serious disease per capita than any other state.

The state's hospitals, long-term care facilities and physicians represent virtually all medical and surgical specialties and sub-specialties in modern medicine.

More than half a dozen major medical centers and 40 nationally accredited healthcare facilities treat over 100,000 in-patients each year, and more than 2 million outpatient visits are conducted annually at healthcare facilities and medical clinics throughout the state. Hawaii also is home to the trauma and burn center for the Pacific Rim, and it offers specialized heart, cancer and chronic disease programs for children. In addition, all islands are linked with air ambulance services.

Healthcare is actually Hawaii's second largest industry, drawing world-class physicians, surgeons and state-of-the-art medical and clinical technology to the Islands.

The state has made many medical strides over the years, including these more recent milestones:

• Hawaii was one of the first states to establish a patient bill of rights, ensuring quality health care that does not discriminate on the basis of cost.
• The State of Hawaii moved aggressively to advance early childhood intervention programs to improve access to health and human services.
• The State of Hawaii Telehealth Access Network was created to foster telehealth and telemedicine in Hawaii.
• Legislation was approved allowing residential care homes to take care of aging patients, a less expensive option than nursing homes.
• Health insurance benefits were approved for outpatient mental health, alcohol and drug treatment.

Major Medical Centers

The Queen's Medical Center

The Queen's Medical Center is the Pacific Basin's leading facility for the treatment of life-threatening injuries and shock. Designated as the trauma center for the State of Hawaii, Queen's has the only Level II Trauma Center in the state, and no one is ever turned away because of their inability to pay.

The Queen's Medical Center
1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 538-9011
www.queens.org

The St. Francis Healthcare System

St. Francis has provided quality healthcare to the people of Hawaii since 1927. The institution is probably best known for caring for Hawaii's most chronically ill patients. It is home to the only transplant center in the Pacific, one of the world's largest hospital-based kidney dialysis programs and the state's only JCAHO accredited Hospice.

St. Francis Medical Center
2230 Liliha Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-547-6011
www.stfrancishawaii.org

Straub Clinic & Hospital

Straub features comprehensive health care in 32 specialties. It's a "one-stop shop" that adds convenience for its patients through its broad network of community clinics. Straub also is designated as the burn center of the Pacific, and it has introduced many medical firsts to Hawaii, including minimally invasive open-heart surgery and many other advanced procedures.

Straub Clinic & Hospital
888 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 522-4000
www.Straubhealth.com

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

Kapiolani is best known for its medical excellence in both women's health and pediatric care. Many women in Hawaii feel Kapiolani is the best place in the state to have a baby.

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children
1319 Punahou Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 983-6000
www.kapiolani.org

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

Kaiser is best known for being the state's largest health maintenance organization (HMO). Its 390 physicians and 3,800 employees serve 231,000 members statewide. Kaiser operates 17 outpatient clinics on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, and a 217-bed acute care hospital on Oahu.

Kaiser Permanente
Moanalua Medical Center
3288 Moanalua Rd.
Honolulu, HI 96819
Ph. 432-0000
www.kaiserpermanente.org

Castle Medical Center

Castle Medical Center is recognized for being the only acute care medical facility in Windward Oahu, with excellent emergency medical services. Castle also is well known for its emphasis on preventive medicine and compassionate care.

Castle Medical Center
640 Ulukahiki Street
Kailua, HI 96734
808-263-5500
www.castlemed.org

Kuakini Medical Center

Kuakini is known for several areas of excellence, including comprehensive oncology (cancer) services, cardiac care, gastroenterology, orthopedics and pulmonary/sleep lab services. Many people think of the elderly when they hear "Kuakini" because the center has been a leader in developing programs to prevent premature institutionalization of the elderly.

Kuakini Health System
347 North Kuakini Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
(808) 536-2236
www.kuakini.org

Hawaii's Medical Origins

The Sisters of St. Francis have been caring for the people of Hawaii since 1883 when Mother Marianne Cope and six Franciscan sisters traveled to Hawaii from Syracuse, New York. They'd made the journey at the request of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani to care for the island's sick and poor, particularly those afflicted with Hansen's Disease.

Straub Clinic & Hospital's mission began when renowned physician Dr. George F. Straub brought a distinguished team of medical specialists together in 1921 to form what was called "The Clinic." Dr. Straub also was an accomplished violinist who often played chamber music with his friend Queen Lili'uokalani in her royal garden.

Acute healthcare in Hawaii dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century when King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma started The Queen's Hospital, which continues to operate today as The Queen's Medical Center.