The West Hawaii Region (WHR) of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) reached a key milestone in expanding health care for the region with its new Infusion Center at Kona Community Hospital. Through a blessing ceremony in honor of the new center, WHR signified the region’s commitment to providing access to specialty care, close to home.
The expansion doubles the previous center’s treatment capacity from six to 12 infusion chairs. This means shorter wait times, more appointment availability, and fewer drives for patients and families. For many in our community, receiving care right here in Kona can make all the difference by reducing travel time, preserving time with family, and offering a familiar place of support.
With patient comfort and privacy in mind, the center features new privacy barriers between treatment areas to offer a more peaceful environment and a dedicated waiting area for families and loved ones to rest and regroup. ADA-compliant restrooms and an accessible design ensure more patients can move through their treatments with ease.
Clayton McGhan, CEO of WHR of HHSC, underscored the community effort behind the transformation. “We are grateful for the community partnerships and the support of Governor Josh Green and the Hawai‘i State Legislature behind this expansion,” McGhan said. “The transformation of this space reflects our commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care, which we continue to provide for every patient, every day.”
That spirit of partnership was present at the blessing, with remarks from Representative Kirstin Kahaloa and Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda, who highlighted the project’s significance for local families. The event also honored the generosity of the Milton and Ursula Stolaroff Foundation, recognized through remarks by their grandson, Joshua Stolaroff.
The expanded center also enhances clinical capabilities. A new negative-pressure isolation room allows the team to safely accommodate higher-risk patients and procedures that were previously scheduled in the surgical suite due to space constraints. Moving these services into the Infusion Center improves continuity of care, increases scheduling flexibility, and keeps complex treatments within a setting tailored to infusion medicine.
For oncology patients in particular, the expansion offers something invaluable: stability. Infusion therapies often follow precise schedules over weeks or months. Having dependable access to appointments in West Hawai‘i helps patients stay on track with their care plans while remaining anchored in their community support systems. As Senator Dr. Kanuha noted, “The expanded Infusion Center is a meaningful investment in West Hawai‘i’s health care infrastructure. By increasing capacity and improving access to critical outpatient services, this project helps ensure our residents can receive high-quality care in their own community.”
The demand for infusion and oncology services has been rising across the region, reflecting on both population growth and the increasingly sophisticated therapies that are available to treat cancer, autoimmune conditions, and other chronic illnesses. By meeting that demand with thoughtful design and expanded staffing capacity, Kona Community Hospital is building a more resilient health care system that can support our neighbors through the most challenging season of their lives.
Ultimately, this expansion is about place. Receiving care delivered by familiar faces, in a setting shaped by and for the community it serves. WHR ensures personalized, quality care for every patient, every day.
To learn more about the West Hawaii Region and its hospitals, Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital, visit kch.hhsc.org or kohala.hhsc.org.
