Work progresses on new ophthalmology lab in Hilo

Work on a new ophthalmology lab in Hilo is on schedule to be finished by the end of this year.

The facility, located at the intersection of Kapiolani Street and Hualalai Street, promises to bring the level of optical and ophthalmic services found on Oahu to the Big Island.

Hawaii Vision Specialists, which currently operates out of the Hilo Community Surgery Center, will move into the new 16,000-square-foot facility when construction is completed, either at the end of 2018 or early 2019, said Miki Souza, Hawaii Vision Specialists optometrist.

“We’re excited to move to our new location and bring more services to the community,” Souza said.

The new facility will allow doctors to handle emergencies more quickly and will be comparable to facilities found on Oahu, although Souza said some procedures will still require patients to travel off-island.

Construction of the facility began with a blessing ceremony at the end of 2017. Miro Neskovic, president of Sterling Pacific Construction, which is building the facility, said vertical construction is largely completed.

Despite a mild delay earlier this month — concerns about the possible path of Hurricane Hector prompted Sterling Pacific to postpone the installation of the facility’s roof — as well as an unexpectedly rainy spring, Neskovic said the project is proceeding on schedule.