[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2151-2152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    RECOGNIZING KUAKINI HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the Kuakini 
Medical Health System as it celebrates its 100th anniversary caring for 
Hawaii's people. Kuakini began as an ethnic charity hospital founded by 
Japanese immigrants who arrived in Hawaii to labor in the thriving 
sugar cane fields. Plantation wages were low and many newcomers found 
themselves unable to afford medical care. The Japanese Benevolent 
Society provided emergency relief to the immigrants, but a fire 
destroyed their facilities in January, 1900. Undaunted, the Japanese 
Benevolent Society started plans to build a charity hospital. Funds 
were raised through membership dues and community donations. Half an 
acre of land was purchased in Kapalama and a two-story wooden building 
housing 38 patient beds was completed by July, 1900. This humble 
beginning was the start of Kuakini Health System.
  As the last existing hospital in the United States established by 
Japanese immigrants, Kuakini is unique among health institutions in the 
United States and Hawaii. There have been many changes during the past 
century, but the commitment of the health professionals and volunteers 
of Kuakini Health System to meet the health care needs of Hawaii's 
community has not waivered. Kuakini Health System has expanded to 
embrace and serve Hawaii's community without regard to ethnicity, 
disability, age, sex, religious affiliation, or financial status. 
Kuakini Health System is in the company of only 5 percent of all U.S. 
hospitals having a heavy Medicare caseload. Sixty-five percent of the 
hospital's admissions are Medicare patients and Kuakini's hospital 
cares for the largest composition of elderly patients among Hawaii's 
hospitals.
  Kuakini Health System is a teaching facility, training health 
professionals

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in the precepts of compassion and quality in health care. Guests from 
around the world tour Kuakini to learn American health care and 
specific methods for health care. Kuakini includes the community in its 
educational goals with health and wellness fairs, health and prevention 
education classes, an information hotline, Internet access to 
information, Speakers Bureau Program and Open House aimed at giving 
students a first hand look at the different departments and professions 
within a health care organization. By bringing health awareness to our 
community, Kuakini contributes to the overall health and well-being of 
Hawaii's people.
  Kuakini Health System strives for excellence. Federal funds support 
nationally and internationally recognized medical research and health 
programs sponsored by Kuakini Medical System, such as the Japan-Hawaii 
Cancer Study, Women's Health Initiatives, and Honolulu Heart Program. 
Kuakini is regarded as a leader in the areas of cancer treatment, 
cardiac services, geriatric care, pulmonary disease treatment, 
gastroenterology services, health research, orthopedic surgery, 
telemedicine and cyberhealth. Kuakini Health System performs its health 
services without a major endowment or an affiliation with a larger 
organization for financial support.
  The Kuakini Health System has met the health needs and challenges of 
Hawaii's community for the past 100 years. As we start a new century 
and a new millennium, I am confident that Kuakini Health System will 
continue to make valuable contributions to the health of Hawaii and the 
United States through its commitment to benevolence, research, 
education, and excellence.

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