PRINCEVILLE — When an after-hours medical emergency arises on the rapidly growing North Shore of Kauai, critical minutes can be lost before treatment can be provided. That will soon change. Ground was broken Wednesday for the North Shore Urgent Care
PRINCEVILLE — When an after-hours medical emergency arises on the rapidly growing North Shore of Kauai, critical minutes can be lost before treatment can be provided.
That will soon change.
Ground was broken Wednesday for the North Shore Urgent Care Clinic near the Hanalei fire station in Princeville. When it opens next year, the 7,000-square-foot facility will provide around-the-clock services from a team of board-certified local and traveling emergency medical physicians.
“This project has kept, for me, hope in the community,” said Dr. Ted Kimball, founder of Makana North Shore Urgent Care, an organization instrumental in bringing the facility to the area.
Kimball joined about two dozen community leaders and emergency services providers to celebrate the clinic groundbreaking.
“Due to the significant growth on Kauai’s North Shore over the past decade, there has been an increasing need for basic services, including medical care,” Kimball said.
The clinic will serve about 15,000 residents — and about twice as many visitors — on any given day. Those currently in need of after hours emergency assistance must now travel to Kapaa, losing precious minutes en route.
The Makana North Shore Urgent Care Clinic will be include doctors, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, X-ray technicians, medical assistants and other support staff. There will be seven examine rooms.
Funding for the $4.2 million project was made possible through USDA rural federal development loans and the local nonprofit Kauai North Shore Community Foundation. KNSCF is committed to enhancing the culture, health, and education opportunities in the community through charitable giving, said foundation president Bob Doyle.
“When we heard about the interest and need for an urgent care facility we came together to make it a reality,” Doyle said. “The pillars of our foundation are health, wellness, culture, and open spaces and this project encompasses them all.”
Carrice Gardner, Kauai representative for Hawaii Gov. David Ige, read A statement on the governor’s behalf.
“I commend Dr. Kimball, Makana, and the physicians and staff of the Makana Norurgent care clinic for meeting the growing needs of the North Shore community by providing 24/7 care to residents and visitors through their team of highly trained team of board-certified local and traveling emergency physicians,” the governor’s statement said.
