The Hilo Benioff Medical Center's expansion is on track, with certain facilities anticipated to be operational by early next year, marking a significant milestone in the project's development. Full completion of the $80 million expansion is slated for 2027, according to hospital officials. This project, which broke ground in April 2024, includes the addition of a new 19-bed Intensive Care Unit and 36 additional hospital beds, addressing critical healthcare needs on the island.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that the expansion is progressing, promising increased capacity to serve the growing population of Hawaii Island. The project involves a 66,000-square-foot expansion to the hospital. The expansion reflects a $50 million donation from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne, matched by a $50 million state appropriation.
Beyond the direct healthcare benefits, the expansion is expected to stimulate the local economy. The construction itself creates jobs, and the increased capacity and improved facilities will likely lead to more healthcare professionals being employed, further boosting the job market. Hawaii News Now notes the critical need for expanded services to serve the island's rising population, emphasizing the project's significance for long-term community health. The expansion also points to positive trends for local real estate around the hospital.
In addition to the hospital expansion, plans are advancing to build the Kea'au Benioff Health Center, which will provide urgent, primary, specialty, and behavioral health care throughout the Puna and Ka'u Districts and across the island, as highlighted by hbmc.org. This adds another layer of healthcare infrastructure development, indicating sustained investment in the Big Island's well-being.
