RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in the twenty-first century, health care services are most effective when such services are provided in integrated communities where wellness and prevention go hand in hand with diagnosis and treatment; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, the Legislature passed and the Governor approved eight Acts that authorized the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for integrated health care communities; and

WHEREAS, in February, 2000, Pacific Health Community, Inc., and the Wahiawa Hospital Association prepared the Pacific Health Center Master Plan to facilitate the creation of a health care community pursuant to the authorization granted by the State; and

WHEREAS, despite a tremendous investment of both time and money, the project has not yet broken ground due to the lengthy state and county land use approval processes; and

WHEREAS, delays in the project have greatly impacted the financial viability of Wahiawa General Hospital, the largest employer in Central Oahu with more than 450 employees and 65 doctors; and

WHEREAS, continued delays could jeopardize the continued operation of the sole medical facility providing service to the citizens of Central Oahu; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that Hawaii's health care industry and visitor industry, the State's economy, and Hawaii residents will benefit significantly from this project; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to facilitate the creation of the project; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor, Land Use Commission, and Mayor and Council of the City and County of Honolulu are urged to do everything in their power to expedite implementation of the Pacific Health Center Master Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of the Land Use Commission, and Mayor and each member of the Council of the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title:

Pacific Health Center Master Plan; Expedited Implementation; County Action