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Hawaii is known around the world for its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and spirit of aloha. But beyond the beaches and volcanoes, the islands also offer a robust and evolving healthcare system designed to serve a diverse population that spans across remote areas and major urban centers. From Honolulu to the outer islands, Hawaii’s hospitals provide high-quality medical care, innovative treatments, and culturally sensitive services that reflect the unique needs of its communities.
In this article, we explore the best hospitals in Hawaii, discuss their specialties, and highlight how these institutions are rising to meet the challenges of providing quality care across an island state.
Understanding Healthcare in the Aloha State
Healthcare delivery in Hawaii faces some unique logistical and cultural challenges. Many residents live in rural or remote areas, requiring coordination between local clinics and larger medical centers. Additionally, Hawaii has a rich multicultural population that includes Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Asians, and people from the mainland United States — each with distinct health needs and traditions.
Despite these complexities, Hawaii consistently ranks high in national health outcomes due to a strong focus on preventive care, community health, and wellness programs. The state is also known for its high life expectancy and low rates of chronic disease compared to the national average.
1. The Queen’s Medical Center (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Founded: 1859
Affiliation: University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine
As the largest private hospital in Hawaii, The Queen’s Medical Center is the state’s premier referral center and a leader in both primary and tertiary care. Located in downtown Honolulu, Queen’s is a Level I Trauma Center and serves as the major hub for advanced procedures and specialist care throughout the islands.
Why It Stands Out:
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Nationally recognized for heart care, stroke treatment, and cancer services
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Houses a comprehensive Neuroscience Institute
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Leading provider of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health initiatives
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Provides care in over 70 medical specialties
Queen’s is a not-for-profit hospital with a strong commitment to community outreach, preventive screenings, and culturally relevant healthcare services. It also operates satellite facilities across Oʻahu and neighbor islands to improve accessibility.
2. Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Location: Moanalua Valley, Honolulu
Network: Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center is a state-of-the-art hospital operated by one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the U.S. It offers coordinated care across inpatient, outpatient, and specialty services under one roof.
Top Services:
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Strong in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and bariatric surgery
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Integrated electronic health records system for streamlined patient care
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Emphasizes preventive and wellness care
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Multilingual staff and culturally sensitive patient engagement
Patients who are part of the Kaiser system benefit from its team-based approach, where primary care doctors, specialists, and support staff work together for holistic treatment and efficient care delivery.
3. Straub Medical Center (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Network: Hawai‘i Pacific Health
Founded: 1921
Straub Medical Center is a full-service hospital located in the heart of Honolulu. It is widely recognized for personalized care, highly skilled physicians, and a commitment to minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Why Patients Choose Straub:
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Center of excellence in orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery
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Offers robotic-assisted procedures with shorter recovery times
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Highly rated burn unit and pain management services
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Known for exceptional nursing care and patient satisfaction
Straub is especially popular among patients who value compassionate care in a hospital with a smaller, more intimate setting.
4. Pali Momi Medical Center (Aiea, Oʻahu)
Network: Hawai‘i Pacific Health
Location: Central Oʻahu near Pearl Ridge
Pali Momi Medical Center offers a blend of community-based healthcare with advanced technology. It is particularly known for its emergency services, surgical programs, and internal medicine.
Highlights:
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Houses Hawaii’s first retail-style emergency department
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Comprehensive imaging and diagnostic services
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Robust cardiovascular care and outpatient clinics
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Culturally aware practices tailored to local communities
Pali Momi’s location and wide range of services make it the hospital of choice for residents living outside of central Honolulu.
5. Maui Memorial Medical Center (Kahului, Maui)
Location: Kahului, Maui
Network: Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC)
Maui Memorial Medical Center is the only acute care hospital on the island of Maui, serving as the primary healthcare provider for its 165,000+ residents and thousands of visitors annually.
Why It Matters:
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Offers emergency and trauma services, ICU, maternity care, and surgical procedures
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Recently expanded cardiology and stroke programs
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Hosts specialists who rotate from Oʻahu to increase access
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Increasing use of telehealth consultations to bridge service gaps
With limited options on the island, Maui Memorial plays a critical role in ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to residents and tourists alike.
6. Hilo Medical Center (Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island)
Network: HHSC
Location: Hilo, Big Island
Hilo Medical Center is the largest hospital on the Big Island and an essential part of the state’s public health infrastructure. As a regional referral center, it provides a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services.
Key Services:
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Level III Trauma Center
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Cancer, cardiovascular, orthopedic, and diabetes care
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Long-term care and behavioral health units
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Rural health programs and community partnerships
This facility is especially important for East Hawaiʻi residents who would otherwise have to fly to Oʻahu for specialty treatment.
7. Kona Community Hospital (Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi Island)
Location: West Hawaiʻi
Network: HHSC
Serving the west side of the Big Island, Kona Community Hospital is a 94-bed facility offering emergency care, surgery, maternity services, and general medicine.
Why It’s Vital:
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Closest emergency hospital to Kailua-Kona
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Focused on rural health access and telemedicine
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Recently upgraded infrastructure and critical care units
Kona Community Hospital helps reduce geographic healthcare disparities by ensuring that west-side residents don’t need to travel across the island for treatment.
8. Wilcox Medical Center (Lihue, Kauaʻi)
Network: Hawai‘i Pacific Health
Location: Lihue, Kauaʻi
Wilcox Medical Center is the largest medical facility on Kauaʻi and provides a range of services to residents and visitors of the island. It has both acute care and outpatient centers, making it an essential part of Kauaʻi’s healthcare delivery system.
Standout Features:
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24/7 emergency room and trauma services
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Advanced diagnostics, imaging, and surgical suites
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Strong focus on primary care and community health education
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Award-winning staff and excellent patient reviews
Wilcox is the lifeline for an island with few other medical options, and it is known for both its high standards and personalized patient care.
Healthcare Strengths Across the Islands
Despite geographical challenges, Hawaii’s hospital system excels in several key areas:
1. Preventive and Community-Based Care
Thanks to its culturally diverse population and remote areas, Hawaii places a strong emphasis on:
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Vaccination campaigns
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Wellness screenings
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Mobile health units
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Native Hawaiian and rural health programs
2. Cardiac and Stroke Care
Queen’s Medical Center, Kaiser Moanalua, and Straub Medical Center lead the state in advanced cardiology, stroke intervention, and rehab.
3. Cancer Treatment
Queen’s and Kaiser have comprehensive cancer centers, while many hospitals are expanding oncology services through partnerships and visiting specialists.
4. Emergency and Trauma Services
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Queen’s: Level I Trauma Center (only one in the state)
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Hilo and Maui Memorial: Level III Trauma Centers
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All major islands have at least one hospital equipped for emergency response.
5. Telemedicine
To overcome physical distances and lack of specialists on smaller islands, hospitals are increasingly adopting telehealth and virtual consultations — especially for mental health, dermatology, and follow-up care.
Cultural Sensitivity and Language Access
Many of Hawaii’s hospitals place a unique emphasis on culturally sensitive care, offering:
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Interpreter services in Hawaiian, Japanese, Tagalog, Ilocano, Samoan, and more
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Traditional healing practices integrated into modern medicine
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Programs tailored for Native Hawaiian health disparities
The goal is to treat the patient as a whole — body, mind, and spirit — with respect for individual traditions and values.
Final Thoughts
Healthcare in Hawaii is defined by its resilience, cultural inclusivity, and commitment to quality. From the world-class facilities of Queen’s Medical Center to the life-saving community hospitals on Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Big Island, Hawaii’s hospital system ensures that residents and visitors receive compassionate and professional care, no matter where they are.
While challenges remain — such as physician shortages, transportation barriers, and access in rural areas — Hawaii continues to innovate through telemedicine, community outreach, and strategic partnerships. Whether you’re a kamaʻāina (local) or malihini (visitor), you can count on Hawaii’s healthcare providers to deliver medical excellence with the spirit of aloha.