WAIMEA — Lance Segawa has been named the CEO of the Kauai Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.
“The position was effective March 22,” Segawa said. “But there were board meetings and other things to take care of. Tuesday was my first day on Kauai.”
That first day was eventful, as the new CEO got to meet the Easter Bunny who was hosting the St. Theresa School preschool students to an Easter egg hunt along with the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital residents.
Segawa was also introduced to the KVMH leadership team during a short meet-and-greet session squeezed in between meetings.
Segawa served as the Hawaii state director of Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation before taking on the responsibilities of CEO at the Kauai Region HHSC. Previously, Segawa was executive director of operations and interim chief operating officer for HHSC.
“My grandmother was born on Kauai,” Segawa said. “And I have a lot of family living here. I am here now. I just need a house.”
Segawa takes over for Peter Klune who resigned for personal and family reasons as CEO following a three-year tenure at the HHSC.
“I am thankful for the suport of our staff and the Kauai Region board during my tenure,” Klune said. “I am confident that our facilities will continue to be a necessary and valuable asset to our Kauai communities.”
Cheryl Tennberg of the HHSC, Kauai Region, said one of the greatest accomplishments of Klune’s tenure was the “regionalizing” of the two HHSC Kauai hospitals, including the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, and the outpatient clinics that serve the communities.
Klune said his retirement won’t take him away from Kauai.
“This is my home,” he said. “I’ll have more time, and perhaps I can become a volunteer so I can enjoy some of the activities, like swimming with the residents during the beach outings, or sitting down for an enjoyable bite to eat without having to worry about rushing off for meetings.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
