Congresswoman Hirono Announces Federal Funding for
Native Hawaiian Health Care on Kauai
HONOLULU, HI—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai`i) today announced a $2.371 million U.S. Department of Health & Human Services grant to address Native Hawaiian health care needs on the island of Kaua`i.
Ho`ola Lahui Hawai`i (HLH) is one of five federally funded Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. It operates medical centers in Waimea and in Kapa`a. HLH will utilize the grant money to meet the health needs of Native Hawaiians by providing services that include primary health care, dental care, behavioral health counseling, substance abuse counseling, chronic disease management, case management and access to 340B pharmacies, which are pharmacies that provide medication at a lower cost.
Kaua`i is considered an underserved area for Native Hawaiians who struggle to access comprehensive health care services for various reasons including poverty, language and cultural barriers, the declining number of primary care providers, as well as uninsured and underinsured Native Hawaiians who simply cannot afford the cost of health insurance.
The latest statistics show there are 14,741 Native Hawaiians (24.2% of the island’s population) living in Kaua`i County.
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