Day 172: The Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i
📌APIA Every Day (172) - The Queen’s Medical Center, originally known as the Queen’s Hospital, was founded in 1859 at Manamana in Honolulu, Hawaii. King Kamehameha IV highlighted Hawaii’s population decline due to diseases introduced by foreigners in his 1855 speech to the Hawaiian Legislature. He proposed two acts: "An Act to Institute Hospitals for the Sick Poor," aimed at establishing hospitals in Honolulu and Lahaina, and the "Act to Mitigate the Evils and Diseases Arising from Prostitution," which included measures to combat venereal diseases through registration and examination of prostitutes.
In 1859, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma personally raised funds and contributed their own money to establish The Queen's Hospital. The initial building, made from coral blocks and California redwood, was completed at Manamana for $14,728.92. It opened in 1860, providing healthcare services during ongoing health crises, including smallpox epidemics affecting the Hawaiian population.
The hospital expanded over the years and eventually relocated to downtown Honolulu. In 1967, it was renamed The Queen's Medical Center to better represent its growth and stature as Hawaii's largest private hospital. Today, The Queen's Medical Center continues to fulfill its founders' mission, offering comprehensive healthcare services to Native Hawaiians and all residents of Hawaii. Known for its advanced medical facilities, including the state's largest MRI, it remains a crucial part of Hawaii's healthcare system, prioritizing community health and well-being.
LEARN MORE:
Images of Old Hawai’i: Queen’s Hospital
The Queen’s Health System: About Us
Ka’iwakiloumoku Pacific Indigenous Institute: Queen’s Hospital
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