Mr. Wes Lo, Maui regional Hospital Director
Dr. Nicole Apoliona, Clinic Medical Director, Kula Hospital
Dr. Lui Hokoana, Chancellor, University of Hawaii Maui College
Significant changes in both Maui’s health care and higher education are happening. Upcountry residents can learn about them at the Kula Community Association’s meeting at 7pm this Wednesday, May 20 at the Kula Community Center. Beginning at 6:30pm the usual great refreshments will be available.
Maui Regional Director Wes Lo and Dr. Nicole Apoliona, Kula Hospital and Clinic Medical Director, will clarify the recent legislation authorizing Maui Memorial Medical Center and Kula Hospital to transition their operations and facilities into a public-private partnership. Mr. Lo will provide: a rationale for why the conversion is needed; the likely time frame/schedule; and the potential new private partners. Of special importance will be the medical changes -- for better or worse -- that we might expect at both Kula Hospital and Maui Memorial.
Dr. Apoliona will discuss changes that might occur at Kula Hospital from a public-private partnership and the special challenges for the hospital given its unique mission as both a long-term care provider and as an emergency and clinic facility.
New University of Hawaii Maui College Chancellor and Kula resident Lui Hokoana will speak on the transition of Maui Community College into a four-year institution. Will there be new degree offerings, an expanded faculty, and continuation of the two-year vocational/technical programs? Of interest to upcountry residents is the relationship of the college to the expanding telescope operations on Haleakala’s summit.