Hale Pomaika'i in Hana represents a victory of passionate persistence over bureaucratic obstacles, skepticism and small-town politics in a community with a big heart. The "blessed house" is the first communal dialysis facility of its kind in the nation. Other remote areas with the same kind of need are taking note.

Lehua Cosma began working in 2004 to get a dialysis center in Hana. Too expensive, they said. Too few patients in Hana, they said. How are you going to do this? they asked. How are you going to do that? they asked.

Cosma proceeded to knock down or go around every obstacle in her path. She formed Hui Laulima O Hana, a nonprofit community group. A dialysis machine was donated. Liberty Dialysis, which operates two facilities on Maui, promised training. Finding a place was the last hurdle.

There was an old plantation-era house that had been used by the one doctor working in Hana. The state owned the facility. The county managed it. The house showed the ravages of time and lack of regular maintenance. Hui Laulima O Hana was given a $1-a-year lease.

The county supplied $48,000 to upgrade electrical and plumbing systems and install an emergency generator. A long list of donors came up with the cash needed. Kihei contractors Bill Burgemeister and Kirk Donaghy supervised labor donated by Hana High School wood-shop students.

The late Dr. Steve Moser was an early champion of a dialysis facility in Hana. It was largely Cosma, though, who made it happen. She publicized the stories of dialysis patients - including her mother - who had to make the two-hour journey into Central Maui three times a week. The trips were exhausting and full of anxiety. Would the road be open? There was no choice but to go.

Hale Pomaika'i had its grand opening Saturday. Officials were there along with some 250 members of the community. It was a proud day for everyone, but the stars were patients Cecelia "Aunty Cece" Park and Francis "Uncle Blue" Lono Jr., and the woman who pulled together all of those needed to make life better for Hana dialysis patients today and tomorrow.

Ho'omaika'i 'ana.

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.