Complete
Unedited Transcript of Comments from Maui Citizens and Visitors as Part
of Internet Survey on Health Care Compiled by Question Pro Research
Organization
Most personal responses were anonymous. Names
and phone numbers when included by respondents are omitted. Emphasis
in bold added by webmaster. Not all participants in the survey added
personal comments All new comments will be posted on this site as promptly
as possible. Go to home page to participate if you have not already
done so
Respondent 283
"I was born and raised in Lahaina and left for college in 1999.
During a visit back last April, I had the misfortune to get stuck
in the deplorable traffic that plagues the only highway. It was shocking
to see how many people are on our tiny island. The drive across the
Pali that used to take 35-45 minutes now takes an hour and a half! While
I was stuck during a particularly bad time of day, there
was an ambulance that was trying to make it from the west side to Maui
Memorial. With lights blazing and sirens screeching it crawled along
at 15 miles per hour trying to make it through the bumper-to-bumper
traffic, wasting precious minutes of their passenger's life.
The population has increased dramatically during my lifetime, especially
over the last 5 years, and the needs of the people of Maui need to
be met before yet another hotel is built on the West Side. (Jasmine)
Respondent 282
Why don't we have a 'Flight for Life' helicopter here on Maui? That
would solve some of the problem right there!
Respondent 281
1950/60 Northern NY Watertown , 36,000 population plus...had two hospitals.
West Maui 50,000 plus visitors need a facility..
Respondent 278
I have stayed in the Napili area every year since 1982 and feel it
is no longer a distance problem to get medical help. It is the closure
of main highways due to the increase of accidents and fires. If something
happened to me, I would do my darndest to be flown to the Mainland as
I would receive medical help much faster. It is imperative that a hospital
be built in West Maui.
Respondent 276
I have a friend and neighbor who recently suffered a mild stroke on
the west side. An ambulance took him to Maui Memorial but would not
allow the wife to ride along, so I took her over. It was a long day!
Would be much better to have a hospital on this side. P.S. He is doing
well!! Thank God!! (name, contact info omitted)
RESPONDERS NUMBER 4 TO 275
Respondent 4
An Emergency Medical facility that can drop you off for lifesaving
treatment by ambulance on West Maui is the most vitally important piece
of missing infrastructure on the island. (name omited)
Respondent 11
I am a manager of a small resort on the west side (Napili. I can
think of at least 5 persons who have cancelled and no longer visit maui
because there is no 24 hour emergency care. (name omited)
Respondent 28
I experienced a personal situation in December 2004, where I almost
did not get to the hospital in time. The ER recognized that I was in
critical condition, and took me immediately; however, it was the additional
drive that concerns me. Also, suppose the road had been closed...that
is a major concern to me. In case of a road accident, the only road
to the hospital can be closed for hours - this can definitely have an
impact on a life or death situation. I personally feel that we need
some sort of emergency care on the west side. Thank you. (name omited)
Respondent 34
I also believe West Maui needs services for after care. Recently my
mother-in-law broke her left hip and elbow, was in the hospital for
a month and on her release it was nearly impossible to find care
givers to come as far as Kapalua or Kahana for relief once or twice
a week from a 24/7 job of 6 months.
Respondent 36
My mother and step father live in Napili. My step
father had a heart attack at his residence in Napili. He was transported
to the Maui Medical center. He slipped into a coma in route and died
two days later. He was just too great a distance from the emergency
room.
Respondent 46
With just one hospital on Maui, what happens if we have a disaster
and Maui Memorial is unuseable? Oahu has many hospitals and does not
have to worry about this. We need to be proactive instead of reactive.
We also need a small hospital in South Maui as development will make
the drive to Wailuku too long. Respondent 48 My husband has severe heart
problems and had to be taken to Maui Memorial hospital 14 times in one
year. We had to wait for 45 minutes after calling
911 for an ambulance to come to Lahaina from Kihei and then drive him
another 40 minutes to the hospital. The firemen said all the ambulances
on West Maui were busy that night. My husband was lucky to have survived
that night.
Respondent 53
I know of five families that have moved back to the mainland for
better health care.
Respondent 60
West Maui needs the redeeming feature of the proposed hospital not
only to be a deciding factor in a tourist's decision to visit Maui,
and to provide emergency healthcare without further diminishing of a
patient's critical hour in a timely manner. Please build the hospital
because I want to be hired there as a rad tech.
Respondent 68
My story concerns the lack of hospital beds and quality care on Maui:
There are many people on Maui who would like to voice a negative
opinion on having only one hospital on this island. But, they are afraid
to voice this opinion for fear of retaliation. I have been told
this on several occasions by others who wanted to express their disappointment
in having only one hospital on this growing island. I was also warned
by a relative not to say anything. "What happens if you get into an
accident and you need to go there--they might not help you", I'm told...Its
so sad to hear this...especially from the elderly.
Respondent 69
Not only do we have to worry about the distance/time/fires/accidents
to reach Maui Memorial--but, there is a definite shortage of staffing
and beds which leads to a decline in their professionalism and quality
of care. Believe me, we have been there. Mr. Lo is kidding himself
if he thinks Maui Memorial is sufficient for our population and their
(below standard) quality of care. I believe he is only interesteed in
keeping his six figure salary. They are ACUTELY short-staffed--we were
told so by their staff--and by others who were also informed by the
hospital staff/experienced it first-hand or thru a relative. So what
happens when they expand? How will Memorial hospital MANAGE this?
Respondent 70
As one Hale Makua personnel told me--the reason for the lack of
space at their place is due to having only one hospital on Maui.
What does this tell us? And, I doubt you could get a confirmation from
them about this statement. The need for another hospital on Maui--is
something I feel so strongly about due to our experience with the hospital
we have now. We need another hospital on Maui--and yes, I see the need
for it on the west side. What happens if the road should wash out
during a storm and many are hurt. Do they plan to airlift everybody--what
about those who are too unstable to move? It's almost like "getting
kicked out" of Maui Memorial due to the shortage of beds. What if the
patient is TAKEN off IV-does this mean we take a crash course in nursing
on how to care for them because they are no longer considered acute
care? Is this how we diagnose them as healthy enough to go home even
when they still very weak? Mahalo and good luck in your efforts to secure
another hospital for Maui.
Respondent 74
Our parents will not move here full time because of lack of hospital
facilities. They are senior citizens and want to see their grandchildren
more often, but need to be near medical facilities.
Respondent 77
Other than a couple of Doctor's groups in the resorts, there is
no medical service at all after 8 or 9 PM. My wife has has non life
thretening, but serious problems in the past, all that you can get is
a phone message at the doctor's offices to "call 911"
Respondent 78
I spend 3 months per year in Maui. It is a huge concern not having
a hospital close. While on Island my wife sliced her hand at 6 P.M.
it took 7 hours to get over to the other side of the Island and to get
her seen. That is to long to wait for and emergency. Everything
ended up fine but I would hate to have a situation that could have been
easily taken care of turn into a disaster due to the lack of Hospital
facilities on west Maui
Respondent 79
A gentleman by the name of Russ Kyler used to stay 2 months every
single year and due to his poor health is scared to come back. He has
not returned the past 3 years and will not be back till we have better,
closer health care in West Maui. He stayed at Polynesian Shores.
Respondent 82
I am a resident in Napili, who has had one heart
attack so far. The thought of having another, and having to try to get
by ambulance over the highway to the other side is very frightening.
It could be my life.....
Respondent 88
I am a nurse and work in the ER at Maui Memorial, hence my experience
with waits and examples of delays. An acute ER and small hospital is
needed, and west maui was also burned by this pretend helicopter service
that will service none of them.
Respondent 98
We know many condo owners who have returned to the mainland when
they got older because they feared their health would deteriorate and
they would not get good care fast enough on the West side of the island.
.Respondent 118
On December 24, 2002 my wife was hit by a car on the Lower road.
She had to be taken to the hospital as I arrived at the accident scene
and she was gone I had to drive the 45 minutes to the hospital without
knowing how she was. this was the longest and the most emotional drive
I have ever taken. If a hospital for emergency cae was on the West side
at least I wuld have been at my wfe's side much quicker.
Respondent 132
My dad died because it took about 15 min for the
ambulance to pick him up in Honokowai (1991) then another 45 min or
so for the drive to the otherside. I was really unhappy about the emergency
service because in situations like this time is of the essence. Back
then I asked why no hospital in Lahaina and today I`m still waiting.
Time to get this done. (name withheld)
Respondent 133
(Personal accusations against an individual withheld).. I 100%
agree Maui needs another hospital, and one that is not run by the state
& HHSC. As long as (name withheld) is involved in this proposed
hospital, I am putting my support & energy into promoting the proposed
hospital in Kihei. And I know I am not the only healthcare professional
who thinks this way.
Respondent 140
an insured had to share an ambulance after a major
MVA and was forced to watch the other fellow bleed to death due to the
long ride to the hospital (from Lahaina Civic Center to the Hospital)
God help us if a plane or helicopter goes down in west maui
Respondent 143
Friend needed admitting for drug rehab, and decided to leave by taxi
after I had brought him to emergency and waited for hours. They said
he was okay to leave, but he decided to "treat himself" with more drugs
later!
Respondent 145
It is astonishing that such a bustling, affluent even, community
still does not have thier own NECESSARY services! Hana even needs
more adequate support services.What possible adversion could there be
to this basic infrastructure?
Respondent 146
I am the mother of three and grandmother of two. I have had to drive
to MMMC on at least eight occasions to seek medical treatment for my
children and for one of my grandchildren due to the fact that there
is no after hours medical treatment for West Maui. My grandson has
had several asthma episodes, two of which required ambulance rides to
MMMC. On three other occasions I have had to drive him to MMMC after
hours. The drive over was very stressful as I wondered if I made the
right choice by driving in the middle of the night or if I should have
called an ambulance again. I realize that an asthma episode can be very
serious, even life threating, but I also don't want to call an ambulance
because they may be needed elsewhere. I love my children and grandchildren
very much and hate to think that I have to ponder the seriousness of
their situation and wheather it warrents an ambulance ride or even the
forty-five minute trip to the hospital. I have believed for many years
that West Maui has been long overdue for 24 hour healthcare services.
(Phone number omitted)
Respondent 147
My 91 year old mother needed emergency care. She was ill with cancer.
The car ride was almost more than she could handle. I could barely
lift her in the car. At the emergency center we had to wait well over
2 hours. She had to lay down in the waiting room which was not equipped
with this option either. Once she was taken in, the care was fine...it
was just the lost time and pre-wait time which added to her discomfort.
She was admitted to the hospital due to the seriousness too. Just took
so long. Service after admission was great though. The doctors are competent
and caring.
Respondent 151
i think it would be a great idea to have a medical facility with an
emergency room because time can make all the difference in the world
to saving a life that is in danger, and the 45 minutes it takes to drive
to the wailuku er is inadequate.
Respondent 152
In July I experienced internal bleeding. My hemolobin was at 6. I had
no way to get to the hospital...I drove myself. I was very week. Maui
Hospital is a joke.
Respondent 153
Not very funny if you are near death. My room mate threatened my doctor
after he had been requested to turn down the t v..the aids were insulting
and not profesional...my care was third world. (name omitted)
Respondent 155
I have, on occassion, needed a shot of benedryll for bug bites. If
I would have had to go to Kahaluli I would have been a blown up semblence
of myself. Luckily both times I was bitten Kaiser was open and I was
able to get help immediately. I have now been able to get an epipen
to give myself a shot if needed but would much rather have a medical
professional see me if this occassion arises again. We need a hospital
on this side...it goes without saying...at least an emergency facility.
Respondent 162
A friend of mine was bit by a bug. It was after hours so I went to
Drs on Call, I spent 5 minutes explaining to the Hotel Vallet why i
was leaving my car in the front of the hotel, he argued with me that
it didnt "seem" urgent and I could park myself, my friend was bright
white from the bite by now, luckily a hotel manager was there and pulled
my car to the side for me. There was no wait to see the Dr there, when
he came out and saw my friends condition was worse, he told us right
away, turn around and go to the hospital in Wailuku. That means I traveled
from Front Street to the Hotel just to find out I had to turn around
and go to the Hospital. When I returned to get my car, the same valet
that gave me a hard time parking my car was caught up in a conversation
with a tourist and I had to yell at him more than once to get the keys
for my car. He said "if its that urgent, call an ambulance". I wont
repeat what I told him. I got to MMC and the nurses wouldnt even come
and look at my friend in the car, I got a wheelchair myself and brought
him in, at 4am (5 1/2 hours after we got there), they finally saw him.
His hand had blown up 3 times its origional size by then, the Dr. was
rude-he seemed tired and not compassionate at all) there was one nurse
there - Nancy - she was the only one that treated us with kindness.
They ended up keeping him for four days. This was unacceptable. I believe
MMC could have the opportunity to preform better, If they wernt so crowded
with ALL of Maui. We need a hospital in Lahaina and Kihei. Im sure
Kihei residents can share some of the same situations and stories, and
they are even closer than us, with not one but two roads to get to the
hospital. Please help.
Respondent 167
About 2 years ago, I had severe stomach pains. I thought I could drive
myself from Napili into the hospital, but I had to pull over at the
Kaiser Clinic in Lahina, and someone called 911 for me. The ambulance
came within 5 mins. and took me to the emergency room with the sirens
blarring. Even thought I was in the emergency room, I had to wait for
a few hours for X-rays and blood work to discover that I was having
a major Gall Bladder attack. They operated on me late that night, and
I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. Meanwhile, my daughter, who is
disabled, had to be on her own until I returned home.(name, contact
info omitted)
Respondent 169
A friend's husband had a stroke and was taken to
Maui Memorial, but the travel time was too long. The Dr. said if he
had been treated sooner, his prognosis would have been greatly improved.
Because of the lack of early treatment, this man remained mostly paralyzed
and unable to communicate. I worry about the same consequences if I
cannot obtain medical treatment quickly after a stroke or heart attack.
Respondent 171
My attorney visits every year and stays at my B&B- he has chronic
conditions that may preclude him from staying in the future without
a facility on this side. He ALSO has said that Maui County could
and will eventualy be sued because they have had "matching funds" to
build a bypass and have several times over the last 20 years had the
opportunity to do so,but secondary to imcompetance and corruption have
not. Someone will have an MI or CVA and not be able to get to help
in time - they will die and their family will sue. As a retired R.N
in oncology, ICU, med/surg I find it absurd that this issue has not
been resolved many years ago. (Name omitted)
Respondent 175
Whenever a serious traffic accident occurs, the highway can be closed
for hours, further isolating West Maui residents and guests.
Respondent 179
We are very concerned about having my 88 year old mother visit.
Respondent 180
Years ago when I lived & worked in Lahaina, I chose to move to Honolulu
for my last month of pregnancy, as I felt Maui's Hospital was inadequate
and worried about traffic problems. I had wanted my first born to
be born in the Valley Isle, but felt I had no option living in Honokowai.
Sign me, "Now living in Wailuku"
Respondent 194
My spouse and I are reaching an age that requires us to consider the
need for emergency care wherever we travel. We have often the discussed
the lack thereof in Kahana, our Maui location.
Respondent 204
I have a friend who would like to live here or at least spend more
time here than he does because he has a serious heart condition so he
limits his time visits to a week or ten days twice a year. H20 sole
concern is the lack of a medical facility on the West side.
Respondent 208
My husband and I are full-time residents of Mahinahina in West Maui,
both in our 70's, relatively healthy now, but fully aware that medical
acute care or emergency needs can occur suddenly, at any time. In May
'03, I developed increasingly severe pain in my lower left side over
night. By early morning I knew we needed to get to the emergency room.
It was a difficult walk to the car,and an extremely stressful long ride
to Maui Memorial, not knowing the source or seriousness of the increasing
pain. It was a twisting ovarian cyst and required emergency surgery
after needed tests, etc. This time it was not life-threatening--but
would not wish that long ride to the hospital on anyone. We are much
concerned about the lack of acute/emergency care on this side, with
its large population and high percentage of seniors--AND THE POSSIBILITY
OF ROAD CLOSURE MAKING THE SITUATION EVEN MORE CRITICAL. WE NEED A HOSPITAL
IN WEST MAUI.
Respondent 211
At 2am on 1/1/05 I woke up in Kahana with what turned out to be
a pulmonary embolism. We drove to Maui Memorial, knowing only that
my breathing was very shallow. I thank God that no drunk driver caused
an accident on that New Years morning and that I did recieve good care
at the hospital. I was fortunate. The Doctor told me that these type
of blood clots to the lungs are all too common in visitors that travel
5+ hours on planes to Hawaii. For some, the 45 minute drive could
be their last. We surely do have 2nd thoughts about flying there twice
a year for 2 to 3 weeks as we have been doing. Our daughter lives in
Kahana. Please do all you can to get an acute care facility in West
Maui. it will save lives.
Respondent 215
I had an situation where I was alone and did not feel stable enough
to drive across the county.
Respondent 223
Doctor in West Maui refuses to see me as I am on Medicare, with private
insurance supplement, as she would not receive adequate compensation!
I was told to write my congressman. I need medical care, but she apparently
has plenty of money.
Respondent 225
I suffer from asthma and it frightens me when I have an asthma attack
that emergency services are 45 minutes away. It could be a life or death
situation for me. And how many times is the highway closed each year
and we don't have any access to MMMC? Our helicopter service won't even
fly after dark!
Respondent 1253000 questionpro
both myself and my husband are registered nurses and my husband has
bleeding factor that scares me to come to your island without proper
facilities. 968095 1006826 1202446 1210633 1248080
Respondent 125300o question pro
A friend who worked for Maui Land &Pineapple died on the way to Maui
Memorial Hospital because the ambulance did not have what was needed
to sustain him during the 65 minute ride to Maui Memorial. Another friend
who was visiting the island died of a heart attack during his ride over
to Maui Memorial. Having been coming to this island for 25 years we
have heard countless story's like this. The people who oppose this hospital
should be ashamed of themselves and pray that they, or one of their
loved ones never need immediate hsopital care. 1267292 1268792 1268841
1323763
2113324 Respondent
I visit each year and may move there, but am very concerned that there
is no convenient (time of essence) emergency and acute care hospital
in West Maui. 2130876 2329112 2341976
(Additional survey comments will be placed on this site as promptly
as possible after they are received).
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