The Queen’s Medical Center – Kahi Mohala, Hawaiʻi’s only freestanding nonprofit psychiatric hospital serving youth 4-17 years of age, celebrated its first anniversary as part of The Queen’s Health Systems (Queen’s).
The milestone was marked with a gathering of government and community leaders, and Queen’s leadership and staff, to highlight the importance of behavioral health care in Hawaiʻi. It also showcased recent enhancements such as an art installation located at the gymnasium, completed by Native Hawaiian artist Solomon Enos, as well as an aquaponics system. Completed in collaboration between Queen’s – Kahi Mohala volunteer staff and community members from Ke Kula Nui o Waimānalo, the aquaponics system will act as the centerpiece of a broader culturally informed curriculum aimed at teaching ancestral Hawaiian food-producing practices, healthy eating habits, and the importance of community, all while increasing mental health resiliency.
Since joining Queen’s in October 2024, Queen’s – Kahi Mohala has continued its mission of providing comprehensive child and adolescent behavioral health services with CARE – Compassion, Aloha, Respect, and Excellence – while raising awareness and strengthening access across the state. Services include individual and group therapy, family strengthening opportunities, life skills education, occupational therapy, substance abuse education, and more.
“Queen’s cares for the greatest number of child and adolescent patients with behavioral health conditions in the state, offering a full spectrum of care from inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization,” said Sondra Leiggi Brandon, Vice President, Patient Care, Behavioral Health, of The Queen’s Health Systems. “This anniversary reflects our ongoing commitment to the mission of our founders, Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, to provide in perpetuity, quality health care services to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi.”
Queen’s acquired Kahi Mohala from California-based Sutter Health Pacific. The hospital has been serving Hawaiʻi since 1983.
For more information about behavioral health services provided at Queen’s – Kahi Mohala, visit www.queens.org/services/behavioral-health/kahi-mohala.
