KAPA‘A — Officials will unveil the final master plan for the redevelopment of the state’s oldest operating hospital and surrounding lands at a community meeting next week.
This meeting — which is the final opportunity for community input on the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital master plan — will take place at the SMMH auditorium from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
“I’m encouraging neighbors surrounding Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital and interested residents to attend this final master plan meeting. This is a valuable opportunity to learn about future plans for this area and the steps that will be taken to implement this plan,” said Rep. Nadine Nakamura (District 15), who has spearheaded the planning process.
According to the most recent draft, the redevelopment would boost the hospital’s bed count to 90 from 80, while increasing its long-term care capacity to 75 from 66.
In addition, the plan proposes that the 34-acre hospital campus become the home of a new Kaua‘i Police Department substation, a new Kapa‘a Public Library, a preschool, convenience store, pharmacy, open spaces and 342 new units of rental housing.
The developments are projected to cost about $400 million over the course of two to three decades. The state and county have already invested $20 million to address water source and storage issues in the area.
Lance Segawa, CEO of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation for Kaua‘i, said the goal of the plan is to “expand long-term care, emergency, and acute psychiatric services at SMMH, relocate the Kapa‘a Library, provide transitional and workforce housing, and add a police substation, as well as much needed behavioral health housing.”
Community input has already affected the most recent draft of the plan, which is more focused on civic needs than creating revenue, said Segawa said at a Kaua‘i County Council meeting in March.
Attendance is limited to the first 50 people who RSVP. Attendees must wear masks in adherence with hospital regulations. Those interested can visit planmahelona.com to RSVP.
Bentos will be provided.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
