Kona, Hawaiʻi — Oct. 28, 2025– The West Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation which includes the Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital, has launched the West Hawaiʻi Region Hospital Foundation, a new nonprofit organization designed to strengthen the region’s healthcare delivery system through philanthropy and community partnership. As the official foundation of the West Hawaiʻi Region, the organization will serve as the philanthropic arm for both hospitals—raising funds to support facility improvements, new services, and healthcare education programs that strengthen the regional system of care.
The Foundation’s mission is to fund programs, services, and improvements that enhance patient care, promote wellness, and ensure access for all.
As the healthcare landscape faces ongoing challenges, including potential reductions in Medicare reimbursement, the Foundation will play a vital role in providing supplemental funding to ensure stability and growth for the West Hawaiʻi Region’s hospitals and outpatient services.
Key Priorities Include:
• Expansion of New Sites & Services: Funding strategic initiatives that increase access to specialty and primary care across the region.
• Supporting Critical, Emergent Needs: A campaign to raise 3.5 million dollars to improve emergency services and critical care for the West Side.
• Healthcare Academy: A campaign to raise $500,000 to support workforce development, including educational opportunities for existing employees and students pursuing the healthcare glidepath.
• Regional Approach: Strengthening collaboration across Kona Community Hospital, Kohala Hospital, and affiliated services to maximize impact and avoid duplication of resources.
“Launching a regional foundation allows us to align philanthropic investment in West Hawaii for Kona Community and Kohala Hospital’s current and future needs with the systemwide needs of the West Hawaiʻi Region,” said Amy Feeley-Austin, Chair of the Foundation. “This coordinated approach ensures that community support translates into sustainable healthcare solutions for generations to come.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.whrhospitalfoundation.org or contact Amy Feeley-Austin at amy@whrhospitalfoundation.org or at 808.322.5866.