HawaiʻI Island Healthcare Conference—Building a Healthier Future
Together
Slated for Thursday, October 5 at Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Hawaii Island (September 22, 2023)—Are you happy with your access to
healthcare and the level of service on Hawaiʻi Island? If you have an interest in
healthcare and community health, you are invited to attend the Hawaiʻi Island
Healthcare Conference on Thursday, October 5 at the Westin Hapuna Beach
Resort. It’s free but seating is limited.
Community First Hawaiʻi founder, the late Barry Taniguchi said it best, “There is
no way to transform healthcare and achieve a sustainable system without coming
together. If all districts of the island come together, we can build a County-wide
system of health governed by each community to best address their needs while
leveraging information technology and payment models which require scale.”
This island-wide Healthcare Conference seed was planted 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 Hawaiʻi Chamber HUI consisting of the Kona chamber, Hawaii Island
Chamber, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi and Hui
Oihana—Hawaii Island Native Hawaiʻian Chamber of Commerce on the concept
of an island-wide conference. With Community First’s leadership and
organizational capacity, the Healthcare Conference moved forward.
Coming Together
To that end, the conference is coming together. Members of the organizing
committee were involved in setting up the previous healthcare conference over
10 years ago under former Mayor Billy Kenoi’s guidance. Many of the same
issues discussed then are unfortunately prevalent today.
This year’s conference will feature engaging presentations and conversations,
panel discussions, and networking opportunities for those who share a common
passion for enhancing healthcare accessibility and community well-being on
Hawaiʻi Island. A work plan will also be developed leading into the upcoming
2024 Legislative Session.
Mayor Mitch Roth will open the conference with US Congressional
Representative Jill Tokuda slated to speak on, “Strengthening Rural Health
Services Through Policy and Resources” with Governor Josh Green presenting,
“The State of Healthcare.”
Innovative Sessions
Sessions and presentations include The Role of Philanthropy in Supporting
Hawaiʻi Island Healthcare, Health Disparities, Innovative Partners in Care, The
State of Behavior Health on Hawaiʻi Island, and Workforce Development
Initiatives on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiʻi State legislators in a panel discussion will
focus on “A Collective Vision for Hawaiʻi Island Healthcare.”
Hawaii Island native John DeFries will wrap up the conference discussing
“Building a Healthier Future Together.”
It’s Free but Space is Limited
The Hawaii Island Healthcare Conference is free and lunch is included. The
sessions run from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Space is limited. Register today to reserve
your seat. To register for the free conference log on to
https://communityfirsthawaii.org/hihc2023/#bottom
The Hawaii Island Healthcare Conference is presented by Community First
Hawaii and sponsored by the Hawaii State Department of Health. Partners
include County of Hawaiʻi, 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
Hawaiʻi, Queen’s Medical Center, and the STUPSKI Foundation.
For more information log on to communityfirsthawaii.org. To register for the free
conference log on to https://communityfirsthawaii.org/hihc2023/#bottom
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About Community First Hawaiʻi
Community First Hawaiʻi is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit serving as a convener and catalyst for
solutions to improve health and access to health care. For more information, please visit
our website at www.communityfirsthawaii.org or Facebook and Instagram pages at
@communityfirsthawaii.
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