LIHUE — A new partnership has been formed between six leading grassrooots, nonprofit hospice providers, including Kauai Hospice, and is known as the Hawaii Pallative and Hospice Care Collaborative.
The collaborative seeks to ensure sustainable high-quality end-of-life care across the state by pooling resources, expertise, and a deep commitment to cultural sensitivity, according to a Tuesday press release.
In an unprecedented effort to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for patients and families across Hawaii, six of the hospice providers — Hawaii Care Choices, Hospice Maui, Kauai Hospice, Navian Hawaii, North Hawaii Hospice, and Saint Francis Hospice — have joined forces to form the collaborative.
The statewide initiative unites decades of expertise from these hospices which continue to provide compassionate palliative and hospice care to the people of Hawaii.
“This collaborative represents a new era for end-of-life care in Hawaii,” said Brenda S. Ho, the CEO of Hawaii Care Choices. “By coming together, we are amplifying our voice, strengthening our resources, and ensuring that every community across our islands has access to care that honors the culture and preferences of each patient and their ohana.”
The Hawaii Palliative and Hospice Care Collaborative is driven by a shared mission to promote awareness and access to hospice and palliative care, ensure sustainability of nonprofit, mission-driven care throughout Hawaii, foster innovation and collaboration, sharing clinical educational, and administrative expertise among providers, honor cultural diversity by offering care that reflects the unique traditions and values of Hawaii’s communities.
Together, the collaborative will serve thousands of residents each year, providing comprehensive support for patients facing serious illness, and their loved ones.
“This partnership allows us to address these gaps more effectively by leveraging the strengths of each organization,” said Kauai Hospice Executive Director Tricia Yamashita. “Together, we’re not only improving access, but also setting a higher standard for care statewide.”
As Hawaii’s population continues to age, the demand for hospice and palliative services is increasing, according to the collaborative. Although thousands of residents are eligible for hospice care and much more could benefit from palliative services, geographic barriers and workforce shortages pose significant challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“Our vision is simple but powerful compassionate, high quality care for every person in Hawaii who needs it,” Ho said. “With the support of our community, we can make this vision a reality.”
