Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over $5 million towards numerous projects that have improved the hospital.
The Kona Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit charitable corporation, was created in 1984 to accept gifts and solicit donations for new medical technology, expand services and enhance facilities for Kona Community Hospital. The people of West Hawaii, both visitors and residents, deserve local access to a progressive hospital providing excellent healthcare.
Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over five million dollars towards numerous projects that have improved the hospital. Major endeavors include the Radiation Oncology Center, Imaging Center, Nuclear Medicine Suite, and Outpatient Chemotherapy Building.
Other projects to date include the emergency helicopter landing area, repair and painting of the facility, enhanced directional signage for visitors, medical equipment and education for hospital professionals. Current projects include purchasing technology and equipment for the new cardiology clinic on the Kona Community Hospital campus. "Buy-A-Bed," a plan replace of the hospital's patient-care beds, is another on-going Foundation project.
By working closely with the hospital CEO, community physicians, hospital managers and staff, the Foundation targets significant hospital projects requiring funding. Funds are obtained through direct donations, private and public grants, investments and fundraising events. When citizens become aware of hospital needs and state funding deficiencies, support becomes a philanthropic priority for the entire community. The future of quality health care in West Hawaii relies on this support.
Day-to-day operations of the Foundation are managed by a staff of two with the help of numerous volunteers. They are overseen by an eight member volunteer Board of Trustees. The current trustees are Greg Chun, PhD, Tina Clothier, Jane Dierenfield, Ikaika Hauanio, Chairman James Higgins, Daryl Kurozawa MD, Judith-Ann Nakamaru and Reba Silva. The original trustees of the Foundation were Allen Wilcox, Garold Enloe MD, Fred Fujimoto and Richard Ishida.
For more information, please visit the Kona Hospital Foundation’s website at www.khfhawaii.org.