HILO, Hawaii: A well attended ceremony, punctuated by emotional testimonies from dignitaries and administrators, led to the long awaited opening of the Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama a Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Care Center on Friday.

The new home, located at 590 Kapiolani Street in Hilo, is the first of its kind on the neighbor islands.

The entrance to the new Hospice of Hilo Care Center

The 14,140-square-foot home-like facility features 12 patient bedrooms, a dining room, meditation room, a spa, keiki room, family room, a palliative care center, and a training center.

The sorely needed inpatient home on Hawaii Island will provide hospice care to patients of all ages including children. The facility can serve those who require specialized attention or around the clock care.

“The care center is the culmination of support and collaboration of Hospice of Hilo and the community,” said Brenda Ho, CEO of Hospice of Hilo. “We would like to thank all of those who helped us achieve success and ask for your continued support during our journey.”

Pohai Malama still needs contributions and Hospice of Hilo is registered at Macys.com and Target.com under “Hospice”, first name, “Hilo”, last name. Donors can purchase kitchen items, home décor, linens, children’s books and toys for the home.

For more information about the Capital Campaign or the grand opening contact, An Umamoto, at (808) 969-1733 or email at anthuyn@hospiceofhilo.org or visit www.hospiceofhilo.org.

Hospice of Hilo is a private, non-profit agency providing compassionate, quality end-of-life care through support, counseling, and education. For more than 25 years Hospice of Hilo has served Hawaii Island from Lapahoehoe to South Point. Care and support is provided to all terminally ill patients and their families without regard to diagnosis, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, race, creed, disability, age, place of residence or ability to pay.

SOURCE: Hospice of Hilo