Hawaii’s access to health care crisis is nothing new. The University of Hawaii has reported doctor shortages exceeding 40% on Maui and Hawaii counties for years. The lack of care is especially severe on Molokai and in our rural areas. Losing even one clinic on Molokai means losing half of the isla nd’s medical capacity, and without immediate funding that is exactly what will happen. On the Big Island, many communities simply cannot get the basic primary care they need. Patients in Puna, Ka‘u, Hamakua and parts of Kona wait months for appointments or travel long distances for routine care. ...read more read less