Kahi Mohala Stays On Track With Upgrades

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Public Health Fund of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, psychiatric hospital Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health can move forward with its Master Facilities Plan initiative, which will address existing capital improvement goals over a five-year period.

“Demands for patient care change far more rapidly than the physical buildings that house (patients), so the plan will be designed to respond to emergency situations and changes in regulations,” said CEO Leonard Licina. “The plan will guide the hospital with proactive strategies that address the services and environment in order to effectively meet the current and future behavioral health care needs of those with psychiatric disorders.”

The Master Facilities Plan began in late January and completion is expected by June. Architects Hawaii has been hired to assess the possible upgrades to the facility.

In order to obtain the grant, the 88-bed licensed facility submitted its application to the Public Health Fund Committee of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, which makes money available twice a year for project proposals that address health care issues on Oahu.

“The plan will be an ongoing decision-making tool to prioritize, schedule, budget and fundraise for capital improvement projects,” Licina added.

Established in 1983, Kahi Mohala is located on a 14.5-acre Ewa Beach property on Old Fort Weaver Road.

“The park-like grounds offer a complete therapeutic environment with an emphasis on patient safety and security,” Licina explained.

The heart of Kahi Mohala’s philosophy of care is to improve the overall quality of life for its patients and provide an essential mental health safety net service for people throughout the state.

The organization also provides therapeutic inpatient programs for children ages 3-12, adolescents and adults with psychiatric disorders.

Hospital services include inpatient acute care and residential treatment for depression, anxiety, suicidal episodes, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD and ADHD) and dual diagnosis mental disorders.

“Kahi Mohala’s pyschiatrists and clinical staff guide the recovery of patients and help their loved ones through some of the most difficult experiences they will ever face – surviving and thriving after a life-threatening mental health crisis,” Licina said.

For more information on Kahi Mohala, visit kahimohala.org or call 671-8511.