KAUAI HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4457 PAHE'E STREET
LIHUE, HI 96766 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 12, 1997
Are you this hospice's administrator? Update your information
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) | 14 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 1 |
| Physicians | 1 |
| Volunteers | 0 |
22
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 KAUAI HOSPICE 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
- Respite care (up to five days at a time, to give family caregivers a break)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
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 2019.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how KAUAI HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
8.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 15th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
51
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
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 day8.9 min
Ranks better than about 15% 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 weekends9%
Ranks better than about 62% 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 life93.1%
Ranks better than about 47% 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 visits36.7%
Ranks better than about 71% 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 care11.3%
Ranks better than about 20% 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 months22.6%
Ranks better than about 84% 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 care1.6%
Ranks better than about 79% 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$13,225 · 24th 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 65.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening96.6%
- Pain assessment93.3%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.2%
- Breathing difficulty treatment93.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.2%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.2%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life65.8%
- All care steps completed87.1%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer30%
- Dementia27%
- Heart and circulatory disease9%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions24%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Serving the Kauai Community
Kauai Hospice provides essential end-of-life care for families in Lihue and across the island. They offer comfort-focused support designed to improve quality of life when a cure is no longer the goal. Their team works right out of the office on Pahe'e Street to reach patients where they live. That means your loved one can stay in their own home surrounded by familiar things. It is all about dignity and peace during a very difficult season. The staff understands the unique needs of families in Hawaii. They bring deep local knowledge to every visit. Whether it is managing pain or offering emotional support, this group focuses on the needs of the whole family. You are not walking this path alone.
About Kauai Hospice
Kauai Hospice operates as a non-profit organization. That is a big deal because it means their focus stays on the patient, not on profits. They have been Medicare certified since February 1997. That is over 25 years of history serving the local community. They have built a long track record of helping people in Lihue. When you choose a non-profit, you often find a strong commitment to the mission of care. The team follows strict federal rules to keep their certification. This ensures they meet high standards for safety and comfort. What most people do not realize is that all Medicare-certified hospices must follow the same basic rules. But this team has shown they can do it well for a long time. They have deep roots here on the island.
Quality You Can Trust
Understanding Hospice Care in Lihue
Finding the right care on an island can feel overwhelming. But Lihue has resources that help you manage these big life changes. Hospice care is not just about the final days. It is about living the best life possible for as long as possible. The team helps with medicine, equipment, and emotional support for the whole family. They visit you at home to keep things simple. You do not need to deal with the stress of constant hospital trips. The goal is to keep your loved one comfortable and pain-free. And the best part is that Medicare covers these services for most people. You get a dedicated team of nurses and aides who really know what they are doing. This takes the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on being a family member again.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have choices, and that is a good thing. Take your time to find the right fit for your family. Start by asking how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. This is vital for peace of mind. Ask who will be part of your main care team. You want to know if you will see the same faces often. It helps build trust during tough days. Also, ask how they help with the emotional and spiritual needs of the family. It is not just about the patient. It is about the people who love them, too. Finally, ask about their experience with your specific health needs. A good provider will be happy to answer these questions honestly. You deserve clear, simple answers right from the start.
Preserve Your Family Stories
This time is about more than just medical care. It is a time to celebrate a life well-lived. We can help you record and save the stories and memories that define your family history forever.
Learn MoreOther Hospice Providers Nearby
KAISER PERMANENTE CARE AT HOME, OAHU HOSPICE
NORTH HAWAII HOSPICE, INC
NAVIAN HAWAII
HOSPICE MAUI
DBA HAWAI'I CARE CHOICES
ISLANDS HOSPICE
Helpful Guides for Families
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
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 Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
Navigating end-of-life care is hard. Our guide to understanding hospice levels of care helps you make informed choices for your loved one with confidence.
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.