Are you happy with your access to health care and the level of service on Hawaii Island? If you have an interest in health care and community health, you are invited to attend the Hawaii Island Health Care Conference this Thursday at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
It’s free, but seating is limited.
Community First Hawaii founder, the late Barry Taniguchi, said it best: “There is no way to transform health care and achieve a sustainable system without coming together. If all districts of the island come together, we can build a countywide system of health governed by each community to best address their needs while leveraging information technology and payment models which require scale.”
The idea for this islandwide conference came from a brainstorming session at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Wellness Committee. Not wanting a regional West Hawaii focus, the committee pitched the Island of Hawaii Chamber HUI consisting of the Kona chamber, Hawaii Island Chamber, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii, and Hui Oihana-Hawaii Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce on the concept of an islandwide conference. With Community First’s leadership and organizational capacity, the conference moved forward.
This year’s conference will feature engaging presentations and conversations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for those who share a common passion for enhancing health care accessibility and community well-being on Hawaii Island. A work plan will also be developed leading into the upcoming 2024 legislative session.
Mayor Mitch Roth will open the conference, with U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda slated to speak on“Strengthening Rural Health Services Through Policy and Resources,” and Gov. Josh Green will present “The State of Health Care.”
Sessions and presentations include the role of philanthropy in supporting Hawaii Island health care, health disparities, innovative partners in care, the state of behavioral health on Hawaii Island, and workforce development initiatives. State legislators in a panel discussion will focus on “A Collective Vision for Hawaii Island Health Care.”
Hawaii Island native John DeFries will wrap up the conference discussing “Building a Healthier Future Together.”
The Hawaii Island Health Care Conference is free, and lunch is included.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Space is limited. Register today by 5 p.m. to reserve your seat.
To register for the free conference log on to https://communityfirsthawaii.org/hihc2023/#bottom.
The Hawaii Island Health Care Conference is presented by Community First Hawaii and is sponsored by the state Department of Health. Partners include Hawaii County, KTA Super Stores, Hawaii Island Community Health Center, Hawaii State Rural Health Association, Hilo Medical Center, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Kona Community Hospital, Ohana Health Plan, state of Hawaii, Queen’s Medical Center, and the STUPSKI Foundation.
