WAHIAWA, Hawaii — An aging Wahiawa General Hospital has experienced a number of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning issues, as well as other challenges common to an older facility, which has led to the closure of the Intensive Care Unit, and more recently, the temporary closure of the inpatient unit.

What You Need To Know

  • Because of the nature and scope of the required work, effective Monday, March 18, the hospital will need to temporarily close the Emergency Department during the project to mitigate any risk to patients and staff

  • All other departments in Wahiawa General Hospital will remain open and continue with current operations

In a news release issued on Friday, hospital officials announced another HVAC-related systems problem that services the Emergency Department and other first floor areas of the hospital.

Because of the nature and scope of the required work, effective Monday, March 18, the hospital will need to temporarily close the Emergency Department during the project to mitigate any risk to patients and staff.

The completion of the work is undetermined at this time, but the closure is being coordinated with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management and other key agencies and organizations, said hospital officials.

All other departments in Wahiawa General Hospital will remain open and continue with current operations.

“We remain committed to providing the highest level of care and safety possible for those we serve,” said Brian Cunningham, CEO of Wahiawa General Hospital, in the release. “And we are confident that through our collective efforts, Emergency Department services will soon be restored to the communities of Central Oahu and the North Shore.”

Since officially entering into an Asset Purchase Agreement in Nov. 2023, the Queen’s Health System and Wahiawa General Hospital have been working together toward the formal purchase of Wahiawa General Hospital by Queen’s Health System on April 2, 2024.

After considerable evaluation and deliberation, Queen’s initial focus for Wahiawa General Hospital will be on strengthening its Emergency Department and diagnostic services.

The privately owned, nonprofit Wahiawa General Hospital opened in 1957 to serve the growing needs of the Wahiawa, Central Oahu and North Shore communities. Its current services include acute care, emergency and outpatient services.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.