Our Mission & History

The Kona Hospital Foundation is dedicated to improving Kona Community Hospital for the entire community. We fund medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Kona Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, was created in 1984 to accept gifts and solicit donations for new medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities solely for Kona Community Hospital. The people of West Hawaii, both visitors and residents, deserve local access to a progressive hospital providing excellent healthcare.

Since inception, the Foundation has completed numerous projects that have improved our community hospital. Major endeavors are Adopt-A-Room, Buy-A-Bed, Radiation Oncology Center, Imaging Center, Nuclear Medicine Suite, and Outpatient Chemotherapy Building. Many other projects to date include the emergency helicopter landing area, repair and painting of the facility, enhanced directional signage for visitors, medical equipment, education for hospital professionals and renovation of the Emergency Department. The Foundation currently purchased new equipment and technology for the Operating Room and the newly established Cardiology Clinic.

By working closely with Kona Community Hospital’s Senior Leadership Team, the Foundation targets significant hospital projects requiring funding. Monies are obtained through direct donations, private and public grants, investments and fundraising events. When citizens become aware of hospital needs and state funding deficiencies, support becomes a philanthropic priority for the entire community. The future of quality health care in West Hawaii relies on this support.

Day to day operations of the Foundation is managed by one staff member. We are overseen by a seven member volunteer Board of Trustees. The current trustees are Jason “Ikaika” Hauanio, Judith-Ann Nakamaru, Peter S.R. Olson, Mary Anne Meeson, Jo Anne Iwane, Karen Zulkowski and Dr. Douglas Graham. The founding trustees of the Kona Hospital Foundation were Allen Wilcox, Garold Enloe, MD, Fred Fujimoto and Richard Ishida.

The Kona Hospital Foundation is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954. Our tax identification number is 99-0233964