Healthcare in Hawaii. Some islands better than others? (Honolulu: dermatologists, insurance)

[Bigins]

Looking online at various sites like ‘The Common Wealth’ and others, they list Hawaii as the #1 state in the country for healthcare. But in reading/talking to people on the Big Island, they’re having problems obtaining a Dr let alone good healthcare. It’s thrown me for a loop here.

I live in Minnesota, and the healthcare is really pretty good. Going through health issues including cancer and high doses of chemo last year, I need healthcare in a state I plan to move to for obvious reasons including medications. Hawaii has a large # of retirees, so I’m having a hard time with this.

Is healthcare like this on all the islands, or just the Big Island? It was suggested I live on Oahu. I really don’t want to be in a heavily populated area. I’m looking for a much slower pace of life than that.

Is the healthcare on Kauai better? More Dr’s etc? Is their hospital the best on the islands?

I have other questions to ask, but healthcare is the biggest.

Thank you!

[Futuremauian]

Originally Posted by Bigins

Looking online at various sites like ‘The Common Wealth’ and others, they list Hawaii as the #1 state in the country for healthcare. But in reading/talking to people on the Big Island, they’re having problems obtaining a Dr let alone good healthcare. It’s thrown me for a loop here.
Thank you!

I live in West Maui. In 6 years I've never been able to see a Primary Care Doctor, only P.A.s. Fortunately, I found a good one after a couple of real duds. Unfortunately, he just left the island so I no longer have a provider at all for now.
I have been able to see specialists when the need arose. Years ago I had a reoccurring outbreak of hives and called several dermatologists. One offered me an appointment 10 months in the future saying it was their first opening. I found another one who got me in two weeks later. (My hives was caused by excessive sun exposure.)

Serious issues require a trip to Honolulu for treatment. Medical care is probably decent on Oahu but is nowhere near #1 on any of the islands.

Whoever wrote your article probably conflated longevity (high here for Asians) with good health care.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Bigins

Looking online at various sites like ‘The Common Wealth’ and others, they list Hawaii as the #1 state in the country for healthcare. But in reading/talking to people on the Big Island, they’re having problems obtaining a Dr let alone good healthcare. It’s thrown me for a loop here.

We are probably ranked number 1 due to employer mandated insurance for employees who work more than 20 hours a week. For a single person, healthcare costs are very small.

With that said, we have a serious doctor shortages on all the islands, but more so on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island.

Many specialized procedures can only be done on Oahu.

If I recall correctly, Kauai and Maui don't have any trauma level hospitals - depending on the severity of an injury, the time it takes to get you on a air ambulance to Oahu may mean the difference of life and death.

Various conditions also cannot be done on Oahu - for those, you'll need to go to the mainland.

[pj737]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Various conditions also cannot be done on Oahu - for those, you'll need to go to the mainland.

Do you have any data on what these various conditions are?

[rya96797]

Originally Posted by Bigins

Looking online at various sites like ‘The Common Wealth’ and others, they list Hawaii as the #1 state in the country for healthcare. But in reading/talking to people on the Big Island, they’re having problems obtaining a Dr let alone good healthcare. It’s thrown me for a loop here.

I live in Minnesota, and the healthcare is really pretty good. Going through health issues including cancer and high doses of chemo last year, I need healthcare in a state I plan to move to for obvious reasons including medications. Hawaii has a large # of retirees, so I’m having a hard time with this.

Is healthcare like this on all the islands, or just the Big Island? It was suggested I live on Oahu. I really don’t want to be in a heavily populated area. I’m looking for a much slower pace of life than that.

Is the healthcare on Kauai better? More Dr’s etc? Is their hospital the best on the islands?

I have other questions to ask, but healthcare is the biggest.

Thank you!

I'm guessing it's not #1 for healthcare in hawaii, but #1 in healthiness of the citizens. They've probably made a mistake. Mild climate means outdoor activities year round, high asian population who tends to live "forever" skews the longevity average, varied ethnic diet availability, etc. Moving to hawaii will not magically make you live 10 years longer if you have cancer or other pre existing conditions. Other population groups in hawaii which are heavily obese, have diabetes, heart disease, etc etc do die young. On average, asians live 8-10 years longer than whites.

Outer islands healthcare is pretty bad. Oahu is decent, but for certain problems, the case and patient sent to the mainland. Keep in mind, hawaii has a total population of 1.2 million or so, so will not have the population base to support specialized healthcare.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by pj737

Do you have any data on what these various conditions are?

Yes, I do. Hunt thru the archives of city data - many instances of had to go to the mainland for a procedure. This isn't breaking news or an opinion. I won't do your hunting for you though.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by Bigins

Looking online at various sites like ‘The Common Wealth’ and others, they list Hawaii as the #1 state in the country for healthcare. But in reading/talking to people on the Big Island, they’re having problems obtaining a Dr let alone good healthcare. It’s thrown me for a loop here.

I live in Minnesota, and the healthcare is really pretty good. Going through health issues including cancer and high doses of chemo last year, I need healthcare in a state I plan to move to for obvious reasons including medications. Hawaii has a large # of retirees, so I’m having a hard time with this.

Is healthcare like this on all the islands, or just the Big Island? It was suggested I live on Oahu. I really don’t want to be in a heavily populated area. I’m looking for a much slower pace of life than that.

Is the healthcare on Kauai better? More Dr’s etc? Is their hospital the best on the islands?

I have other questions to ask, but healthcare is the biggest.

Thank you!

Doesn't Minnesota have Mayo Clinic? That's a healthcare powerhouse that isn't going to be duplicated in Hawaii.


Due to where the people live, the only island with enough people on it to support major amounts of healthcare is Oahu. Also, due to the amount of people on Oahu, what doctors are there are busy.


We routinely go to Oahu for various medical procedures. The last one was an MRI just over a week ago. Hawaii Island has specialists who come over several times a month, so we do get to see specialists, but it is usually scheduled well in advance.

[rya96797]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Doesn't Minnesota have Mayo Clinic? That's a healthcare powerhouse that isn't going to be duplicated in Hawaii.


Due to where the people live, the only island with enough people on it to support major amounts of healthcare is Oahu. Also, due to the amount of people on Oahu, what doctors are there are busy.


We routinely go to Oahu for various medical procedures. The last one was an MRI just over a week ago. Hawaii Island has specialists who come over several times a month, so we do get to see specialists, but it is usually scheduled well in advance.

Yup, then there's people with certain conditions that can't fly over via commercial airplane, and must go by helicopter. On the mainland, at least there is the option to transport such patients by ambulance

[Tulemutt]

OP - former Minnesotan here (grew up in St. Paul). I was based in Hawaii twice in the military long ago. Have continued some on again - off again retirement relationship over the past 20 years. But I home base in San Diego and Central Coast California - with summers in Washington's San Juan Islands.

If I didn’t love Hawaii, I wouldn’t keep going back. That said, there are plenty good reasons for many people to NOT live there full time. Health care for critical treatments is one of them. Especially on the neighbor islands. I have been very fortunate with my health so far (and I’m in my 70’s). So not a priority issue for me. But if it were, I would stick with a mainland move.

I certainly understand wanting to leave Minnesota ... winters and summers both! I left in the 60’s and have never for a second thought of returning.

All said above, I wonder why you are looking at Hawaii? If you can afford to move to Hawaii for better retirement weather, you can afford some other very nice options ... even with rural settings.

Central coast California comes to mind, and specifically the Monterey area (again, if you can afford it). It is never hot. But it is never cold either. Warm-ish Mediterranean climate in the 60’s winter days (down to mid-40’s nights at the coldest) ... up to low 70’s summer days (mid-50’s nights). Quite a lot of sun. But enough rainfall and fog to keep it refreshing.

Healthcare in the Central Coast will be somewhat limited, but not as much as Hawaii. Difference being you are ½ day drive to the Bay Area where you can find top shelf specialty care of any type.

Another area worth a look for you might be Santa Barbara and Carpenteria at the southern end of the Central Coast. They are warmer and sunnier than Monterey, and just a bit less than a couple hours to medical care options in Los Angeles.

More rural than the above mentioned, is the Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo area. Heart of the Central Coast. I have a boat slip in Morro Bay where I stay a LOT. Further to the Bay Area north and to LA south ... but very calm, quiet, serene, away from it all. This is life immediately south of world famous Big Sur coastline. Can’t beat it with a stick. And Amtrak connects San Luis Obispo with the big cities as an option to driving for treatments.

Good luck in your search!

[Bigins]

Thanks everyone.

Tulemutt, be sure to knock on wood and thank your lucky stars for your health.


Edit: I just made a large post and it only posted ^^^ that. Guess they don’t like emoticons here. ugh