The LegacyThe Legacy
Last Updated on Friday, 28 October 2011 18:41 Written by Eric Thursday, 27 October 2011 08:26
In 2005, Dr. Ron Kwon led an effort to establish Malulani Health and Medical Center to serve the people of Maui with the best possible healthcare available and with a true spirit of caring for the community. Despite the hundreds of thousands of dollars invested, much diligence in planning, and overwhelming community support, Malulani was not granted a certificate of need through the State of Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Association (SHPDA).
Shortly afterwards, the champion of the incredible movement, Dr. Kwon, left his beloved home of Maui to move to Boston where he could exist in an environment that offered the quality of care that he dreamed of for his own community.
Since that time, the public system of care in the State has suffered severe financial dilemma, losing over $2.5 million in operating costs each month and has had to rely on millions of dollars of government loans to stay operational. Quality of care in is question, despite the best efforts of well intended, dedicated medical professionals. The current hospital is operating at 100% capacity very frequently. This will get worse as the population of Maui grows. We do not have the ability to provide care to our people Malulani Foundation has formed to attract a quality hospital partner to Maui, arrange for adequate financing and build the necessary foundation to move forward with the hospital that Maui citizens and tourists deserve. Malulani Health and Medical Center will be created in honor of this legacy, and will reflect the original mission of the community hospital, namely serving the people of Maui with the best possible healthcare available and with a true spirit of caring for the community.