HI SB2701

Appropriates $50,000,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 for planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona, West Hawaii.

Funds will be expended by the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, following a memorandum of understanding between The Queen's Health Systems and the West Hawaii region of the corporation.

A 2024 needs assessment determined the North Kona region can support a new hospital with expanded services, citing improved access to critical services and shorter travel times for better health outcomes.

The Queen's Health Systems has committed to building a new adjacent hospital once the state-funded outpatient care center is completed.

The new healthcare facilities are intended to help recruit physicians to address ongoing physician shortages on the island of Hawaii while creating jobs for the growing West Hawaii region.