Waimea hospital to bless Native Hawaiian health program

North Hawaii Community Hospital officials invite the community to a blessing and open house for Kaheleaulani, a Native Hawaiian health program, on Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. Mayor Billy Kenoi will speak at the blessing.

Kaheleaulani, formerly known as the Native Hawaiian Health Clinic at NHCH, opened in September 2011. During the past year, NHCH has been renovating its facilities to better accommodate the program. The blessing marks its new name and space.

“The name Kaheleaulani honors Lucy Davis Henriques’ wishes as stated in her will executed in 1932 to establish a medical facility to care for the families of Waimea,” said Claren Ku‘ulei Kealoha-Beaudet, clinical psychologist and Kaheleaulani Behavioral Services director. “Lucy Kalanikumaiki‘eki‘e Davis Henriques expressed such compassion for the people of North Hawaii, and we are proud to honor her through the naming of our Native Hawaiian health program.”

Kaheleaulani was most likely a name within Lucy Henriques’ family. It refers to the procession of the ali‘i and the accompanying adornment.

“The blessing will capture the exciting rebirth of Lucy Kalanikumaiki‘eki‘e Davis Henriques’ legacy and North Hawaii Community Hospital,” stated Kealoha-Beaudet.

“Kaheleaulani provides culturally appropriate, high-quality medical and behavioral health services,” said Malcolm MacDonald, M.D., director of the Adult and Family Medicine Clinic at NHCH. The Kaheleaulani Clinic envisions a vibrant, interdependent Native Hawaiian community based on cultural values.

Kaheleaulani is currently accepting patients with a target population of Native Hawaiians age 13 and older, non-Hawaiians who are married to a Native Hawaiian or a life partner of a Native Hawaiian, non-Hawaiians who are widowed and his/her spouse was a Native Hawaiian, and non-Hawaiians who are divorced or separated from a Native Hawaiian and have Native Hawaiian children.

Kaheleaulani is located at the hospital at 67-1125 Mamalahoa Highway. For more information about Kaheleaulani please call 881-4843. For more information about the blessing celebration, call 881-4425.