LIHUE — A community health center on Kauai focused on providing care to Native Hawaiians will be getting over a million dollars in federal funding.
Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, a nonprofit health clinic, was among the 14 community health centers in the state awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to an announcement Monday by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.
The Department of Health will distribute nearly $30 million in funds to health care organizations in Hawaii that provide “comprehensive, high-quality primary health care services to medically underserved individuals and families,” according to the news release.
“Community health centers offer an affordable and accessible outlet for thousands of people across our state to receive care they might not otherwise be able to,” Schatz said in a press release.
Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, a nonprofit founded in 1986 with a specific focus on serving the needs of the island’s Native Hawaiians and their families, was awarded $1.4 million.
The organization has two comprehensive health care facilities on the island. Clinics in Kapaa and Waimea offer medical, dental and behavioral health care. Its network also includes the Hui Ho‘ola Maika‘i fitness center and the HLH pharmacy in Lihue.
“This core funding supports primary care, dental care, mental health services including outpatient substance abuse counseling, pharmacy, nutrition services, case management and outreach services,” David Peters, chief executive officer for HLH, said in an email Tuesday.
Peters’ email continued, “While this funding targets the uninsured, the underinsured and those with the greatest need, HLH services are open to everyone in Kauai county regardless of their ability to pay.”
HLH provides services on a sliding fee scale to the uninsured whose income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. HLH also accepts QUEST, Medicare and private insurance.
“This funding is vital to continue comprehensive care to our community,” Peters wrote.
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Caleb Loehrer, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0441 or cloehrer@thegardenisland.com.
