The medical needs of North Hawaii, which had only a clinic in Waimea, were immense. Patient rooms are bigger than in any major Honolulu hospital, all single, all with doors to gardens through which pets, even a beloved ranch horse, could come to visit. North Hawaii babies now can be born with an obstetrician on hand instead of just a midwife. Halls are wide to reduce stress. Skylights bring in maximum daylight.
Equipment includes the latest in high tech.
But that's not enough. High tech is humanized with access also to naturopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and clinical psychology. An annex called Tutu's Center is in the Parker Ranch Shopping Center. There even computer ignoramuses like me can look into computer files for health information with the help of teen-age volunteers. Bakken thinks managed care, as with HMOs, has peaked.