HOSPICE OF KONA
Provider Information
- Address
- 75-5925 WALUA ROAD, SUITE 101
KAILUA KONA, HI 96740 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 26, 1992
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 7 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 6 |
19
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what HOSPICE OF KONA reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2018.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF KONA compares to hospices nationwide.
12.2 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 50th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
31
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
Medicare reports this hospice billed for routine home care only from January 2022 through December 2024. Hospices can also provide continuous home care, inpatient care, and respite care when symptoms are harder to manage. There can be good reasons for this. Ask the provider how they handle a crisis at home.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day12.2 min
Ranks better than about 50% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends3.6%
Ranks better than about 6% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life98.1%
Ranks better than about 87% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits53%
Ranks better than about 50% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care6.8%
Ranks better than about 47% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months32.2%
Ranks better than about 63% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care3.4%
Ranks better than about 70% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice0%
Ranks better than about 55% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$10,757 · 13th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 55.1% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening98.9%
- Pain assessment55.1%
- Breathing difficulty screening98.4%
- Breathing difficulty treatment92.1%
- Treatment preferences discussed97.8%
- Beliefs and values discussed86.8%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids85.3%
- Visits in the last days of life69.4%
- All care steps completed63.2%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer31%
- Dementia12%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions28%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Kona
Hospice of Kona provides comfort-focused care for families living in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. They serve patients throughout the Hawaii County area with a dedicated team approach. This team focuses on pain relief and emotional support for the entire family unit. The goal is simple. They want to help patients live their final days with peace and dignity in their own homes. Choosing the right hospice partner is a deeply personal decision. It is about finding a team that matches your family's values and needs. This provider has been serving the local community since 1992. That is over three decades of experience helping neighbors. They offer medical care alongside spiritual and social support. It is a holistic way to manage a difficult time. You deserve a team that listens well and acts quickly. Their office on Walua Road stands ready to assist your loved one today.
About Hospice of Kona
Hospice of Kona operates as a non-profit organization. This is a big deal for many families. It means their focus stays on patient care rather than profits for shareholders. They earned their Medicare certification back in February of 1992. That long history shows a deep commitment to the Kailua Kona region. Being Medicare-certified means they meet federal safety and quality standards every year. You can trust that they follow strict rules for care. What most people do not realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must offer the same core services. This includes nursing, aide services, and grief counseling. But not every agency feels the same when they walk through your front door. You want a team that feels like family during a hard season. Their long track record suggests they know how to support local families through tough transitions. They have stayed consistent for a very long time.
Quality of Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Kailua Kona
Hospice care is not about giving up. It is about choosing quality of life. In a place like Kailua Kona, this care often happens right in your own home. That is a comfort. The team comes to you. They bring medicine, supplies, and kindness to your doorstep. You do not have to travel to a hospital to find relief. That is a massive benefit for families who want to stay together. Many people wait too long to ask for help. They think hospice is only for the very last few days. But the truth is, you can start care much earlier. The sooner you call, the more support you receive. Your medical team can help with pain, anxiety, and daily tasks. It is all about making each day easier to manage. You are not alone in this process. Local resources exist to make this path smoother for everyone involved.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have questions. That is normal. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. Speed matters when someone is in pain. Ask how they handle care on nights and weekends. You need to know that support is always just one phone call away. Also, ask about their philosophy on managing pain. A good team will explain their methods in words you can easily understand. Do not be afraid to ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief care is a key part of their job. Finally, ask what makes their team different from others. Listen to their tone. Do they sound kind? Do they seem patient with your concerns? Trust your gut feeling. You are inviting these people into your most private moments. It should feel like the right match for your loved one's specific needs.
Keep Your Family's Story Alive
Your loved one has a lifetime of wisdom and stories. Capturing these memories creates a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren to treasure forever.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
Helpful Guides for Families
What Does Medicare Cover for Hospice Care?
Confused about medicare hospice coverage? Discover exactly what is covered, how to manage costs, and navigate your benefits with our simple, expert guide.
Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is complex. Our guide to Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefits helps you manage costs, coverage, and care with confidence today.
Starting Difficult Conversations: A Guide for Families
Struggling with end-of-life talks? Learn the best ways for starting difficult conversations with your aging parents to ensure their wishes are honored today.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.