respondents
Respondent 283
"I was born and raised in Lahaina and left for college in 1999. During a visit back last April, I had the misfortune to get stuck in the deplorable traffic that plagues the only highway. It was shocking to see how many people are on our tiny island. The drive across the Pali that used to take 35-45 minutes now takes an hour and a half! While I was stuck during a particularly bad time of day, there was an ambulance that was trying to make it from the west side to Maui Memorial. With lights blazing and sirens screeching it crawled along at 15 miles per hour trying to make it through the bumper-to-bumper traffic, wasting precious minutes of their passenger's life. The population has increased dramatically during my lifetime, especially over the last 5 years, and the needs of the people of Maui need to be met before yet another hotel is built on the West Side. (Jasmine)
Respondent 282
Why don't we have a 'Flight for Life' helicopter here on Maui? That would solve some of the problem right there!
Respondent 281
1950/60 Northern NY Watertown , 36,000 population plus...had two hospitals. West Maui 50,000 plus visitors need a facility..
Respondent 278
I have stayed in the Napili area every year since 1982 and feel it is no longer a distance problem to get medical help. It is the closure of main highways due to the increase of accidents and fires. If something happened to me, I would do my darndest to be flown to the Mainland as I would receive medical help much faster. It is imperative that a hospital be built in West Maui.
Respondent 276
I have a friend and neighbor who recently suffered a mild stroke on the west side. An ambulance took him to Maui Memorial but would not allow the wife to ride along, so I took her over. It was a long day! Would be much better to have a hospital on this side. P.S. He is doing well!! Thank God!! (name, contact info omitted)
Respondent 4
An Emergency Medical facility that can drop you off for lifesaving treatment by ambulance on West Maui is the most vitally important piece of missing infrastructure on the island. (name omited)
Respondent 11
I am a manager of a small resort on the west side (Napili. I can think of at least 5 persons who have cancelled and no longer visit maui because there is no 24 hour emergency care. (name omited)
Respondent 28
I experienced a personal situation in December 2004, where I almost did not get to the hospital in time. The ER recognized that I was in critical condition, and took me immediately; however, it was the additional drive that concerns me. Also, suppose the road had been closed...that is a major concern to me. In case of a road accident, the only road to the hospital can be closed for hours - this can definitely have an impact on a life or death situation. I personally feel that we need some sort of emergency care on the west side. Thank you. (name omited)
Respondent 34
I also believe West Maui needs services for after care. Recently my mother-in-law broke her left hip and elbow, was in the hospital for a month and on her release it was nearly impossible to find care givers to come as far as Kapalua or Kahana for relief once or twice a week from a 24/7 job of 6 months.
Respondent 36
My mother and step father live in Napili. My step father had a heart attack at his residence in Napili. He was transported to the Maui Medical center. He slipped into a coma in route and died two days later. He was just too great a distance from the emergency room.
Respondent 46
With just one hospital on Maui, what happens if we have a disaster and Maui Memorial is unuseable? Oahu has many hospitals and does not have to worry about this. We need to be proactive instead of reactive. We also need a small hospital in South Maui as development will make the drive to Wailuku too long. Respondent 48 My husband has severe heart problems and had to be taken to Maui Memorial hospital 14 times in one year. We had to wait for 45 minutes after calling 911 for an ambulance to come to Lahaina from Kihei and then drive him another 40 minutes to the hospital. The firemen said all the ambulances on West Maui were busy that night. My husband was lucky to have survived that night.
Respondent 53
I know of five families that have moved back to the mainland for better health care.
Respondent 60
West Maui needs the redeeming feature of the proposed hospital not only to be a deciding factor in a tourist's decision to visit Maui, and to provide emergency healthcare without further diminishing of a patient's critical hour in a timely manner. Please build the hospital because I want to be hired there as a rad tech.
Respondent 68
My story concerns the lack of hospital beds and quality care on Maui: There are many people on Maui who would like to voice a negative opinion on having only one hospital on this island. But, they are afraid to voice this opinion for fear of retaliation. I have been told this on several occasions by others who wanted to express their disappointment in having only one hospital on this growing island. I was also warned by a relative not to say anything. "What happens if you get into an accident and you need to go there--they might not help you", I'm told...Its so sad to hear this...especially from the elderly.
Respondent 69
Not only do we have to worry about the distance/time/fires/accidents to reach Maui Memorial--but, there is a definite shortage of staffing and beds which leads to a decline in their professionalism and quality of care. Believe me, we have been there. Mr. Lo is kidding himself if he thinks Maui Memorial is sufficient for our population and their (below standard) quality of care. I believe he is only interesteed in keeping his six figure salary. They are ACUTELY short-staffed--we were told so by their staff--and by others who were also informed by the hospital staff/experienced it first-hand or thru a relative. So what happens when they expand? How will Memorial hospital MANAGE this?
Respondent 70
As one Hale Makua personnel told me--the reason for the lack of space at their place is due to having only one hospital on Maui. What does this tell us? And, I doubt you could get a confirmation from them about this statement. The need for another hospital on Maui--is something I feel so strongly about due to our experience with the hospital we have now. We need another hospital on Maui--and yes, I see the need for it on the west side. What happens if the road should wash out during a storm and many are hurt. Do they plan to airlift everybody--what about those who are too unstable to move? It's almost like "getting kicked out" of Maui Memorial due to the shortage of beds. What if the patient is TAKEN off IV-does this mean we take a crash course in nursing on how to care for them because they are no longer considered acute care? Is this how we diagnose them as healthy enough to go home even when they still very weak? Mahalo and good luck in your efforts to secure another hospital for Maui.
Respondent 74
Our parents will not move here full time because of lack of hospital facilities. They are senior citizens and want to see their grandchildren more often, but need to be near medical facilities.
Respondent 77
Other than a couple of Doctor's groups in the resorts, there is no medical service at all after 8 or 9 PM. My wife has has non life thretening, but serious problems in the past, all that you can get is a phone message at the doctor's offices to "call 911"
Respondent 78
I spend 3 months per year in Maui. It is a huge concern not having a hospital close. While on Island my wife sliced her hand at 6 P.M. it took 7 hours to get over to the other side of the Island and to get her seen. That is to long to wait for and emergency. Everything ended up fine but I would hate to have a situation that could have been easily taken care of turn into a disaster due to the lack of Hospital facilities on west Maui
Respondent 79
A gentleman by the name of Russ Kyler used to stay 2 months every single year and due to his poor health is scared to come back. He has not returned the past 3 years and will not be back till we have better, closer health care in West Maui. He stayed at Polynesian Shores.
Respondent 82
I am a resident in Napili, who has had one heart attack so far. The thought of having another, and having to try to get by ambulance over the highway to the other side is very frightening. It could be my life.....
Respondent 88
I am a nurse and work in the ER at Maui Memorial, hence my experience with waits and examples of delays. An acute ER and small hospital is needed, and west maui was also burned by this pretend helicopter service that will service none of them.
Respondent 98
We know many condo owners who have returned to the mainland when they got older because they feared their health would deteriorate and they would not get good care fast enough on the West side of the island.
Respondent 118
On December 24, 2002 my wife was hit by a car on the Lower road. She had to be taken to the hospital as I arrived at the accident scene and she was gone I had to drive the 45 minutes to the hospital without knowing how she was. this was the longest and the most emotional drive I have ever taken. If a hospital for emergency cae was on the West side at least I wuld have been at my wfe's side much quicker.
Respondent 132
My dad died because it took about 15 min for the ambulance to pick him up in Honokowai (1991) then another 45 min or so for the drive to the otherside. I was really unhappy about the emergency service because in situations like this time is of the essence. Back then I asked why no hospital in Lahaina and today I`m still waiting. Time to get this done. (name withheld)
Respondent 133
(Personal accusations against an individual withheld).. I 100% agree Maui needs another hospital, and one that is not run by the state & HHSC. As long as (name withheld) is involved in this proposed hospital, I am putting my support & energy into promoting the proposed hospital in Kihei. And I know I am not the only healthcare professional who thinks this way.
Respondent 140
an insured had to share an ambulance after a major MVA and was forced to watch the other fellow bleed to death due to the long ride to the hospital (from Lahaina Civic Center to the Hospital) God help us if a plane or helicopter goes down in west maui
Respondent 143
Friend needed admitting for drug rehab, and decided to leave by taxi after I had brought him to emergency and waited for hours. They said he was okay to leave, but he decided to "treat himself" with more drugs later!
Respondent 145
It is astonishing that such a bustling, affluent even, community still does not have thier own NECESSARY services! Hana even needs more adequate support services.What possible adversion could there be to this basic infrastructure?
Respondent 146
I am the mother of three and grandmother of two. I have had to drive to MMMC on at least eight occasions to seek medical treatment for my children and for one of my grandchildren due to the fact that there is no after hours medical treatment for West Maui. My grandson has had several asthma episodes, two of which required ambulance rides to MMMC. On three other occasions I have had to drive him to MMMC after hours. The drive over was very stressful as I wondered if I made the right choice by driving in the middle of the night or if I should have called an ambulance again. I realize that an asthma episode can be very serious, even life threating, but I also don't want to call an ambulance because they may be needed elsewhere. I love my children and grandchildren very much and hate to think that I have to ponder the seriousness of their situation and wheather it warrents an ambulance ride or even the forty-five minute trip to the hospital. I have believed for many years that West Maui has been long overdue for 24 hour healthcare services. (Phone number omitted)
Respondent 147
My 91 year old mother needed emergency care. She was ill with cancer. The car ride was almost more than she could handle. I could barely lift her in the car. At the emergency center we had to wait well over 2 hours. She had to lay down in the waiting room which was not equipped with this option either. Once she was taken in, the care was fine...it was just the lost time and pre-wait time which added to her discomfort. She was admitted to the hospital due to the seriousness too. Just took so long. Service after admission was great though. The doctors are competent and caring.
Respondent 151
i think it would be a great idea to have a medical facility with an emergency room because time can make all the difference in the world to saving a life that is in danger, and the 45 minutes it takes to drive to the wailuku er is inadequate.
Respondent 152
In July I experienced internal bleeding. My hemolobin was at 6. I had no way to get to the hospital...I drove myself. I was very week. Maui Hospital is a joke.
Respondent 153
Not very funny if you are near death. My room mate threatened my doctor after he had been requested to turn down the t v..the aids were insulting and not profesional...my care was third world. (name omitted)
Respondent 155
I have, on occassion, needed a shot of benedryll for bug bites. If I would have had to go to Kahaluli I would have been a blown up semblence of myself. Luckily both times I was bitten Kaiser was open and I was able to get help immediately. I have now been able to get an epipen to give myself a shot if needed but would much rather have a medical professional see me if this occassion arises again. We need a hospital on this side...it goes without saying...at least an emergency facility.
Respondent 162
A friend of mine was bit by a bug. It was after hours so I went to Drs on Call, I spent 5 minutes explaining to the Hotel Vallet why i was leaving my car in the front of the hotel, he argued with me that it didnt "seem" urgent and I could park myself, my friend was bright white from the bite by now, luckily a hotel manager was there and pulled my car to the side for me. There was no wait to see the Dr there, when he came out and saw my friends condition was worse, he told us right away, turn around and go to the hospital in Wailuku. That means I traveled from Front Street to the Hotel just to find out I had to turn around and go to the Hospital. When I returned to get my car, the same valet that gave me a hard time parking my car was caught up in a conversation with a tourist and I had to yell at him more than once to get the keys for my car. He said "if its that urgent, call an ambulance". I wont repeat what I told him. I got to MMC and the nurses wouldnt even come and look at my friend in the car, I got a wheelchair myself and brought him in, at 4am (5 1/2 hours after we got there), they finally saw him. His hand had blown up 3 times its origional size by then, the Dr. was rude-he seemed tired and not compassionate at all) there was one nurse there - Nancy - she was the only one that treated us with kindness. They ended up keeping him for four days. This was unacceptable. I believe MMC could have the opportunity to preform better, If they wernt so crowded with ALL of Maui. We need a hospital in Lahaina and Kihei. Im sure Kihei residents can share some of the same situations and stories, and they are even closer than us, with not one but two roads to get to the hospital. Please help.
Respondent 167
About 2 years ago, I had severe stomach pains. I thought I could drive myself from Napili into the hospital, but I had to pull over at the Kaiser Clinic in Lahina, and someone called 911 for me. The ambulance came within 5 mins. and took me to the emergency room with the sirens blarring. Even thought I was in the emergency room, I had to wait for a few hours for X-rays and blood work to discover that I was having a major Gall Bladder attack. They operated on me late that night, and I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. Meanwhile, my daughter, who is disabled, had to be on her own until I returned home.(name, contact info omitted)
Respondent 169
A friend's husband had a stroke and was taken to Maui Memorial, but the travel time was too long. The Dr. said if he had been treated sooner, his prognosis would have been greatly improved. Because of the lack of early treatment, this man remained mostly paralyzed and unable to communicate. I worry about the same consequences if I cannot obtain medical treatment quickly after a stroke or heart attack.
Respondent 171
My attorney visits every year and stays at my B&B- he has chronic conditions that may preclude him from staying in the future without a facility on this side. He ALSO has said that Maui County could and will eventualy be sued because they have had "matching funds" to build a bypass and have several times over the last 20 years had the opportunity to do so,but secondary to imcompetance and corruption have not. Someone will have an MI or CVA and not be able to get to help in time - they will die and their family will sue. As a retired R.N in oncology, ICU, med/surg I find it absurd that this issue has not been resolved many years ago. (Name omitted)
Respondent 175
Whenever a serious traffic accident occurs, the highway can be closed for hours, further isolating West Maui residents and guests.
Respondent 179
We are very concerned about having my 88 year old mother visit.
Respondent 180
Years ago when I lived & worked in Lahaina, I chose to move to Honolulu for my last month of pregnancy, as I felt Maui's Hospital was inadequate and worried about traffic problems. I had wanted my first born to be born in the Valley Isle, but felt I had no option living in Honokowai. Sign me, "Now living in Wailuku"
Respondent 194
My spouse and I are reaching an age that requires us to consider the need for emergency care wherever we travel. We have often the discussed the lack thereof in Kahana, our Maui location.
Respondent 204
I have a friend who would like to live here or at least spend more time here than he does because he has a serious heart condition so he limits his time visits to a week or ten days twice a year. H20 sole concern is the lack of a medical facility on the West side.
Respondent 208
My husband and I are full-time residents of Mahinahina in West Maui, both in our 70's, relatively healthy now, but fully aware that medical acute care or emergency needs can occur suddenly, at any time. In May '03, I developed increasingly severe pain in my lower left side over night. By early morning I knew we needed to get to the emergency room. It was a difficult walk to the car,and an extremely stressful long ride to Maui Memorial, not knowing the source or seriousness of the increasing pain. It was a twisting ovarian cyst and required emergency surgery after needed tests, etc. This time it was not life-threatening--but would not wish that long ride to the hospital on anyone. We are much concerned about the lack of acute/emergency care on this side, with its large population and high percentage of seniors--AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ROAD CLOSURE MAKING THE SITUATION EVEN MORE CRITICAL. WE NEED A HOSPITAL IN WEST MAUI.
Respondent 211
At 2am on 1/1/05 I woke up in Kahana with what turned out to be a pulmonary embolism. We drove to Maui Memorial, knowing only that my breathing was very shallow. I thank God that no drunk driver caused an accident on that New Years morning and that I did recieve good care at the hospital. I was fortunate. The Doctor told me that these type of blood clots to the lungs are all too common in visitors that travel 5+ hours on planes to Hawaii. For some, the 45 minute drive could be their last. We surely do have 2nd thoughts about flying there twice a year for 2 to 3 weeks as we have been doing. Our daughter lives in Kahana. Please do all you can to get an acute care facility in West Maui. it will save lives.
Respondent 215
I had an situation where I was alone and did not feel stable enough to drive across the county.
Respondent 223
Doctor in West Maui refuses to see me as I am on Medicare, with private insurance supplement, as she would not receive adequate compensation! I was told to write my congressman. I need medical care, but she apparently has plenty of money.
Respondent 225
I suffer from asthma and it frightens me when I have an asthma attack that emergency services are 45 minutes away. It could be a life or death situation for me. And how many times is the highway closed each year and we don't have any access to MMMC? Our helicopter service won't even fly after dark!
Respondent 1253000 questionpro
both myself and my husband are registered nurses and my husband has bleeding factor that scares me to come to your island without proper facilities. 968095 1006826 1202446 1210633 1248080
Respondent 125300o question pro
A friend who worked for Maui Land &Pineapple died on the way to Maui Memorial Hospital because the ambulance did not have what was needed to sustain him during the 65 minute ride to Maui Memorial. Another friend who was visiting the island died of a heart attack during his ride over to Maui Memorial. Having been coming to this island for 25 years we have heard countless story's like this. The people who oppose this hospital should be ashamed of themselves and pray that they, or one of their loved ones never need immediate hsopital care. 1267292 1268792 1268841 1323763
2113324 Respondent
I visit each year and may move there, but am very concerned that there is no convenient (time of essence) emergency and acute care hospital in West Maui. 2130876 2329112 2341976