Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH) marked a milestone today, celebrating the start of construction on the first phase of the multi-year Straub Benioff Medical Center Redevelopment project.
The commemorative ceremony included Hawaii residents and longstanding philanthropists, Lynne and Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, who recently donated $100 million toward the redevelopment project. The Benioffs’ transformational gift is the largest donation to HPH and one of the largest single private donations in Hawaii history.
“We are honored to support this project to build an incredible health care campus of the future,” said Marc and Lynne Benioff. “Together, we are working in the spirit of aloha to ensure everyone gets the highest quality care, where and when they need it.”
The new campus, renamed to recognize the Benioffs’ generous gift, is being designed with flexibility in mind, which will allow HPH to adjust to the changing needs of patients, health care providers and growing communities. Once completed, the new Straub Benioff campus will be 700,000 square feet, nearly triple the size of the current facility.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held where the new 1,600-stall parking building will be located. The environmentally friendly building will have solar panels along with 30 electric vehicle charging stations. It will also have a state-of-the-art conference center, rooftop garden and an employee fitness center. The building will be the first phase of the multiyear project and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Construction on a new medical tower, entrance and garden, and modernization of existing Straub Benioff buildings will follow.
“Today is an exciting step in our journey toward bringing our vision for the health care campus of the future to reality,” said Ray Vara, Hawaii Pacific Health president & CEO. “We are truly grateful to Lynne and Marc Benioff for their generosity and partnership, which will help us build on Straub’s more than 100-year legacy of providing exceptional care for our patients and the community. With the redevelopment of Straub Benioff Medical Center, we will be able to transform the way health care is delivered and make the greatest impact for our community now and for generations to come.”
Since its inception, Straub Benioff has established itself as a leader in bringing innovative medical treatments and technology to the community with a team of experts and care providers who are among the best in Hawaii.
The Benioffs’ contributions have also strengthened health care connectivity statewide. As part of their commitment, Straub Benioff will work with Hilo Benioff Medical Center to better serve Hawaii Island patients when they need further specialized care. When patients and providers need additional support, Straub Benioff will also collaborate with UCSF Health in San Francisco, a partnership that is further enhanced through the Benioffs’ donation.
“As a physician who worked in emergency rooms in rural areas on Hawaii Island, I understand the importance of connections like the ones being enhanced between medical experts in Hilo, Honolulu and San Francisco,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “This redevelopment project expands access and resources that are vital to our state. Mahalo to the Benioff ohana for their commitment to the future of health care in Hawaii.”
The ongoing construction will not impact patient care at Straub Benioff’s current campus. To learn more about the project, visit FutureForwardStraub.org.
Photo (top): (from left to right) Dr. Elna Masuda, Straub Benioff vascular surgeon; Dr. Todd Miller, Straub Benioff chief of staff; Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce; Ray Vara, Hawaii Pacific Health president & CEO; Lynne Benioff; Dr. John Mickey, Straub Benioff internal medicine physician; Kahu Kordell Kekoa.