Molina: Hana needs to weigh in on health plan

WAILUKU - When the County Council Land Use Committee again considers plans for a Hana Community Health and Wellness Village, Land Use Chairman Mike Molina said, the session should be held in Hana.

Recognizing that the plan is dividing the community, Molina also suggested that Hana Health - the nonprofit management board planning the wellness village - consider mediation with its critics.

The committee last week deferred action on the request for land use changes to allow a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Hana Health Clinic, formerly called the Hana Community Health Center, after hearing from supporters as well as one of the key opponents and raising questions about the financial viability of the $26 million project.

Supporters said the Hana community has been given information about the plans that respond to critics' comments. Sam Kalalau said the Health and Wellness Village will be in the urban center of Hana town, near the fire station and police station, and close to many homes.

He denied claims that it was intended to be a kind of a resort spa, saying it would provide health-oriented services for the community.

"It's a Cameron Center-type complex," he said, referring to the Wailuku facility that houses numerous nonprofit agencies.

Opponent John Blumer-Buell repeated complaints that the Hana Health board of directors has shut out the community from participating in the planning for the proposed facilities and is failing to provide the services the community most needs.

The center's original expansion plans have been modified, after facing sharp criticism that the development appeared to be more of a resort servicing nonresidents than a medical clinic providing for Hana people. A key issue remains the lack of kidney dialysis at the Hana health center, despite continuing pleas to provide that service for ailing residents who must now be driven into Wailuku three times a week.

When it was first proposed more than two years ago, Hana Health center officials said the expansion was designed to make the nonprofit operations be self-sustaining by providing wellness programs that draw paying visitors.

The project requires a state district boundary amendment from agricultural to rural use for a 9.5-acre, state-owned parcel. A zoning change to public/quasi-public is needed for the 2-acre site on which the medical clinic is located as well as for the proposed expansion area for a total of about 12 acres.

During the committee review, health center worker Lucille Lecker said the community has received information on the center plans and the board of directors is made up of Hana residents who use the center. She said some critics do not use the center.

Wellness programs that will be part of the new center's services will be aimed at preventing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, she said.

"This is very much needed," she said.

Blumer-Buell reminded the committee that a petition had been submitted that was signed by "hundreds" of Hana residents who are against the proposal and who want a "reinstatement of the community membership."

If Hana Health does not open its board to community membership, he said, the council should "deny and file the request."

Council members expressed concerns over who would be served by the Wellness Village cottages as well as costs for the expansion, saying they would oppose the village becoming a hotel. They suggested asking the Department of Land and Natural Resources for its opinion on the proposed use of the state land.

But county Planning Program Administrator Clayton Yoshida said a condition of the proposed zoning would specify clients would remain overnight only if required for treatment.

Responding to questions from council members, Hana Health Executive Director Cheryl Vasconcellos said the $26 million cost estimate is a ballpark figure that is years old and exact costs won't be known until the buildings are designed and contractors submit bids.

Council Member Michelle Anderson questioned proceeding with the project without that information available.

"How can you know if this is feasible if you don't know what the costs will be?" Anderson asked.

Vasconcellos said the nutrition center's costs are known. Hana Health is securing $1.5 million for the nutrition center, including a Community Development Block Grant through Maui County. It is next looking into the expansion of the medical clinic, with a "very rough ballpark" cost of $10 million.

In a presentation on the facilities, consultant Mich Hirano of Munekiyo & Hiraga Inc. said offices and programs are housed in trailers and tents because of lack of space in the health center.

Hana Health Clinic has 1,650 patients. Services include urgent care, behavioral health, dental care, acupuncture, lomi lomi, chronic disease management and an organic produce program. The clinic also offers kupuna services, such as a meals program for the elderly.

Council Chairman Riki Hokama asked Vasconcellos to come back to the committee with updated costs on the build-out phases for the project.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.