Report Title:

Health Care; Puna Health Center

Description:

Appropriates funds for the plans and design for a Puna health center.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2875
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A HEALTH CENTER IN PUNA.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Puna is a very rural place with few paved roads, and many places with no electricity, running water, or telephone service.  The Pahoa Family Health Center is the only medical provider in the district of Puna, located 20 miles southwest of Hilo in an area twice the size of Oahu, but with a population of only 30,000 residents, making access to health care a serious matter for the hard working people of this district.

     A comprehensive health center for the people of Puna built through a cooperative effort with the department of Hawaiian home lands and to be called "Kahi ‘Olu‘olu O Maku‘u," a place of comfort, would ensure access to quality health care services.  This facility will be a pu‘uhonua or "place of refuge" that will focus on six components of health services, including:

(1)  Traditional medicine;

(2)  Health and wellness programs;

(3)  Veterans health services;

(4)  Dental services;

(5)  Dialysis clinic services; and

(6)  Birthing center services.

     Kahi ‘Olu‘olu O Maku‘u will be a place that brings to the people the resources of those interested in providing health care services, including Hawaiian agencies such as Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Alu Like, office of Hawaiian affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust, Lunalilo Trust, department of Hawaiian home lands, and Royal Order of Kamehameha, to name a few.  It will serve as a place where one can gain access to federal, state, and county services and provide a place to be used by the people of Puna, including a kupuna center, youth center, educational multipurpose room, and amphitheater.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for a health center in the district of Puna on the island of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for plans and design for a Puna health center.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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