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Waimānalo Health Center (WHC), a community-based, non-profit 501(c)(3), has a mission to “… improve the quality of life for the people of Hawai’i nei by providing ready access to primary and preventive holistic health services.” WHC as a Federally Qualified Health Center provides to all who seek health and social services, regardless of their ability to pay and has the federal designation of a Health Professions Shortage Area serving a Medically Underserved Population.

Description:
Waimānalo Health Center (WHC) provides comprehensive, quality preventive and primary care services including health screenings/assessments, physicals (school, sports, work, women’s annual with pap tests, well baby and child care, etc.), immunizations, acute care (injuries, infections, etc.), chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc.), and mental/ behavioral health services. Other services include perinatal support services, Women-Infant-Children (WIC) and other nutrition education and counseling, patient education and family planning (STD tests, contraceptives, etc.), 340B discount drugs, case management, Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, middle-school teen mentorship program, enabling services such as community outreach, eligibility for public benefits (QUEST, general assistance, housing, food stamps, transportation, etc.) to assist Waimānalo residents and others to improve access, overcome barriers to care, and increase utilization of needed health and social services.

WHC stands behind the goal of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): 100% access to quality health care and zero health disparities. To meet this goal, WHC targets anyone with financial, geographic, cultural, social, barriers to care, e.g. the poor, uninsured, under-insured, at-risk children and youth, elderly, disabled, ethnic minorities (Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, etc.), immigrants, homeless, agricultural workers, etc. WHC believes that those who are not getting the needed health and social services will have serious consequences, including unnecessary hospitalizations, increased risk of irreversible health problems, and even premature death which is aligned with the Hawaii State Department of Health in the belief that “access to primary … care … will reduce morbidity and mortality by providing timely, appropriate and less expensive care, and … prevent the development … of serious health conditions.”

History:
In 1967, the State of Hawaii initiated a demonstration project in Waimānalo for maternal and child health services. After nearly 20 years and because of rumors of the State-run maternal/child clinic closing, the Waimānalo community rallied and formulated a Board for a health center. Waimānalo Health Center (WHC) was incorporated in 1989. For the next few years, numerous planning and informational meetings were held by the community Board of Directors with federal officials from the US Public Health Services, Congressional Senator Daniel Inouye, the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Director, and the Waimānalo community. The infrastructure was built for starting services with facilities, funding, finance systems, staffing, etc. In January 1992, WHC opened, providing services via DOH contracts. In 1994, WHC became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) receiving federal funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). WHC has been serving the health and social services needs of the Waimānalo community (and beyond) for over 15 years.

Contact person: May Akamine, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

41-1347 Kalaniana'ole Hwy Waimanalo, HI 96795 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.waimanalohc.org

Directions:

From Kailua, drive on Kalanianaole to Waimānalo. A little over a mile from Olomana Golf Links, you'll see Waimānalo Health Center on the left. From Hawaii Kai, drive on Kalanianaole toward Makapuu Point to Waimānalo. A little over a. . . (more)