Kona Community Hospital history

The name was changed to Leahi Home in 1906.

In 1916 the two story Alexander Young Memorial Building that could accommodate 20 patients was erected.

Leahi officially changed its name from Leahi Home to Leahi Hospital in 1942.

The TB patient census peaked in 1949 at 646.

Mahelona Memorial Hospital has made a number of transitions since the early 1960’s, when antibiotics established the cure of tuberculosis.

On July 1, 1965, all county medical facilities were transferred to the State of Hawaii for operation and all other functions.

A new surgical operating suite and clinical service addition were opened in 1978.

In 1992, a new medical/surgical patient wing was added.

In 1994 Governor Benjamin Cayetano initiated a “Blue Ribbon” Task Force to create a new and more autonomous “agency, “a public benefit corporation, as the prescription for needed reform.

In November of 1996, the DOH transferred liabilities and assets to the new corporation board of directors whose members were appointed by the governor.

On October 21, 1999, the Hawaii Health Systems Foundation (HHSF) was established.

In 2009, the legislature passed Act 182 (Session Laws of Hawaii), in an effort to strengthen the viability of the public-hospital system through organizational and operational changes, in addition to providing the regions with authority to transition into various legal entities.

Subsequently, in 2013, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law Act 278 (Session Laws of Hawaii), which again was focused on the corporate board of directors.