Health and Community Center Advances Native Hawaiian Health on Kealakehe Hawaiian Home Land
Hawai’i Island Community Health Center (Formally West Hawaii Community Health Center). Credit Hawai’i Public Radio
Overview of The Project
Overview of The Project
The Hawai’i Island Community Health Center (Formally West Hawaii Community Health Center) was constructed on Kealakehe Hawaiian Home Land as a new Federally Qualified Health Center to primarily low-income individuals and families. The Health center was the beginning of the creation of the Laʻi ʻŌpua Community Center which serves as a pu‘uhonua (area of safety and peace) for Hawaiian people. The center offers an array of programs and services to meet most every health, social, educational and recreational needs of surrounding communities.
This project was also highlighted in Community Economic Development in Indian Country: Market Research Report. This report identifies and review existing research and data on the unique history, challenges, industries, actors, and available funding and capital sources that shape how tribes and Native actors successfully participate in community economic development.
Construction of The Community Health Center
Construction of The Community Health Center
Through New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) the Hawai’i Island Community Health Center was constructed to provide integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services to primarily low-income individuals and families in three clinic locations on the big island, with a part-time mobile dental clinic that serves homeless individuals. The center has four exam rooms, a procedure room, and five dental procedure rooms according to the media release from the Department of Hawaiian Home lands (DHHL). The center also provides behavioral health, family planning, and health education services.
The Hawai’i Island Community Health Center built a new 11,500 sq. ft. medical center, the La’i’Opua Health Center, which provides medical and dental care to 4,300 project patients in the first year of operation. Approximately
130 construction jobs and 35 permanent positions were created upon completion.
According to the Hawai’i Primary Care Association, in 2020 there were 16,794 patients served with 85% of patients living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Out of the 16,794 patients 26.44% were identified as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
The formally known West Hawaii Community Health Center merged with Hilo’s Bay Clinic and became the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center in 2022.
Funding the Health Center
The project received $21,807,500 in New Markets Tax Credits and the total project cost was $23,384,050. The project received help from multiple Community Development Entities (CDES). The CDES involved were Chickasaw Nation CDE, Nonprofit Finance Fund, Punawai 'O Pu'uhonua, USBCDE, and Wells Fargo. The investor for this project was US Bank.
Construction of La’i’ Ōpua 2020
Construction of La’i’ Ōpua 2020
La‘i ‘Ōpua 2020 during a community event.
The La‘i ‘Ōpua 2020 is a a Hawaiian nonprofit organization community center on the Hawaiian Home Lands and brings together the Kona community for collaboration, inspiration, and knowledge sharing. It envisions a vital West Hawai`i community where local families lead the way and thrive.
La’i’Opua 2020 utilized New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing for the construction of the initial 3,000 square foot phase one construction of the 13,000 square foot community center facility acordding to the Department of Hawaiian Home lands (DHHL) media release.
The center serves as the primary regional resource for the Hawaiian people living both in the Villages of and throughout North Kona region.
La‘i‘Ōpua 2020 and the surrounding communities will enjoy a pre-school, a community center facility, medical clinic, social service center, inter-generation daycare facility, abuse shelter, community gymnasium an aquatic center and an amphitheater.
Funding the La’i’ Ōpua 2020 Community Center
La’i’ Ōpua 2020 utilized Pacific Growth Associates (PGA), a Honolulu-based economic development firm and Travois New Markets to secure funding. This portion of the project is expected to create 159 construction jobs and 49 permanent jobs, and the facility is expected to serve 2,700 households annually.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe is planting seeds for the future on Rocky Boy's Reservation by building the Mīyō Pimātisiwinkamik Youth Center. The facility will take a holistic view of health by not only addressing medical needs, but, mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well.