Gov. Josh Green enacted a pair of measures Tuesday aimed at improving health care access and employment opportunities on Maui.
“These bills emphasize the importance of our health and education systems, in meeting the health care needs of residents across our state,” Green said at a bill-signing ceremony at the University of Hawaii Maui College. “Both bills represent the collaborative efforts between my administration and the legislature to help address these needs.”
House Bill 1255 House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1 authorizes the issuance of up to $20 million in special purpose revenue bonds to support West Maui Hospital Foundation in the construction of a new West Maui Hospital and Medical Center.
“An acute-care hospital is greatly needed for West Maui,” Green said. “The island has seen tremendous growth and protected rates of growth and visitors going forward are unprecedented. In addition to providing greater access to health care for the people of Maui, completion of a West Maui Hospital and Medical Center will also generate excellent job opportunities for residents in the community.”
House Bill 353 House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1 appropriates funds for the expansion of a UH Maui college program designed for working certified nurse aides who want to become licensed practical nurses. The college will receive $130,000 for instructional costs, while another $200,000 will go toward student aid for tuition, fees, supplies and related costs.
“This funding contributes to a robust education system in providing health workforce education and training, to enhance the quality of health care in our community and address the dire shortage of health care workers in our state,” Green said.
The program partners with Hale Makua, Ohana Pacific Health and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii to give eligible Maui and Oahu health care professionals an opportunity to become LPNs while still working.
UHMC chancellor Lui Hokoana said the new funding would help the program double its Maui enrollment to 20 and provide for future expansion to Molokai. Statewide enrollment will also double from 30 to an anticipated 60 students, he said.
Hokoana said the funding would also allow the program to attract, train and retain quality clinical and classroom instructors while providing critical support to students.
“For many of our students who work and support families, tuition assistance is helpful but providing support for program supplies and general living costs can make all the difference,” he said. “Funding from this bill will increase student access to and success in the LPN program by providing funds for those additional expenses.”
State Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran said both bills were initiated and realized through the efforts of the Maui community.
“These two bills came out of the community and were actually driven by the community,” he said. “Getting the financing (for West Maui Hospital and Medical Center) has been going on for a long time … that is not something we can take credit for. The other bill, from Rep. (Troy) Hashimoto, again came through the community. HB 353 was probably one of the easiest bills to move through the legislature this year … because the expansion will also provide more health care positions on Kauai and Oahu. This is helpful for health care throughout the state.”