Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Health awards 2 contracts to AMR
By Leila Fujimori
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU — AMR has provided emergency ambulance services for Maui and Kauai for 44 years.
The Department of Health announced Friday it has awarded two four-year contracts for emergency ground ambulance service for Maui and Kauai to International Life Support, dba American Medical Response, or AMR.
AMR had been a contractor for both counties for 44 years before controversy arose in 2023 when Falck Northwest Corp., a multinational company based in Denmark, was selected.
DOH issued the Notices of Awards Thursday after required competitive procurements.
The new contracts will begin Jan. 1, 2025, and end Dec. 31, 2028, and will ensure every district has an ambulance staffed with a paramedic and a second responder who is at least an emergency medical technician, commonly called an EMT, which are the current qualifications and level of staffing.
The Maui contract provides for a second ambulance on Molokai.
The value of the Kauai contract is $38 million and $74 million for Maui County, which includes Lanai, Molokai and Maui.
They will “add requirements for a quality assurance coordinator and a pediatric emergency care coordinator, among other improvements in quality and performance.”
In 2023, DOH awarded Falck a three-and-a-half year, $59 million contract for Maui and a $32 million contract for Kauai. They were to run from Dec. 28 through June 30, 2027.
After hearing concerns raised about the Falck contracts, DOH on Oct. 23 canceled the request for proposals for Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services for 911 Ground Ambulance Transport for the two counties.
DOH on April 15 announced new RFPs for Emergency Medical Services Injury Prevention Systems for Maui and Kauai counties.
“While it was never the intent of DOH to reduce the qualifications of emergency responders, the previous RFP did not make this entirely clear,” state Health Director Kenneth S. Fink said in an April 15 news release. “The new RFPs clearly require that every district will have an ambulance staffed with a paramedic and a second responder who is at least an EMT.
Troy Hagen, chief commercial officer for Falck USA, said in a written statement Friday: “We are disappointed that Falck was not selected by the Department of Health, who found us more qualified than the incumbent to provide emergency medical services to Maui and Kauai counties just last year before canceling the request for proposals in response to a challenge.
“We are carefully reviewing our options and continue to stand ready to serve. As a foundation-owned healthcare provider, Falck would bring a fresh perspective, unmatched financial stability, reliable services developed around global best practices, and a deep commitment to delivering the highest quality care to the communities we serve.”
The Maui and Kauai paramedics associations had concerns about lower levels of care from the contracts issued in the previous bidding. They opposed lowering a standard of care that currently offers at least one highly trained paramedic, who could provide necessary advanced life support with all the needed equipment. Paramedics are more highly trained than EMTs and can insert breathing tubes into patients with respiratory failure, use electrocardiograms and insert IVs to administer medications.
The unions said they were most concerned about dropping a required Advanced Life Support unit for every unit.
The Maui County Council had also expressed concern over the loss of AMR. Council Chair Alice Lee wrote in a resolution in September that AMR had “performed very well for the past 44 years, as they demonstrated in their response to the wildfires. They know our community and our needs. We do not want services to be cut, nor do we want a contractor who has under-performed in other communities.”
AMR Regional Director Speedy Bailey said in September he was stunned with the selection of Falck over AMR because AMR had a proven track record while Falck had a history of response-time penalties and compliance issues.
In San Diego , Falck’s response-time failures due to persistent staffing shortages had been reported in the local media. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported the company was fined $1.2 million for failing to meet response-time goals in 2022.
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UPDATE: 11:13 a.m.
A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 2:15 p.m. today due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall.
At 11:09 a.m., the radar showed heavy rain developing and traveling slowly eastward over Oahu.
“The heaviest rain is currently over the western half of the island, but is expected to fill in and move over the remainder of the island over the next few hours. Rain was falling at a rate of 0.5 to 2 inches per hour,” forecasters said.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Waipio, Mililani, Pearl City, Waikele, Wahiawa, Wheeler Field, Waipahu, Aiea, Kunia, Halawa, Waiahole, Waikane, Schofield Barracks, Salt Lake, Kahaluu, Moanalua, Ahuimanu, Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach.
Meanwhile, the flood advisories have been extended for Hawaii County and 1:45 p.m. and Maui County until 2:30 p.m.
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At 10:30 a.m., the radar showed heavy rain moving over portions of the Puna and Kau coasts. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with the heaviest rates of up to 3 inches per hour between Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Pahoa, including portions of Pahoa Kalapana Road and Highway 11.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Glenwood,
Mountain View, Wood Valley, Hawaiian Acres, Pahala, Orchidlands Estates, Keaau, Pahoa, Punaluu Beach, Kawa Flats, Papaikou, Naalehu, and Fern Forest.
At 11:04 a.m., the radar showed heavy rain over portions of eastern Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour with the highest rainfall rates in the upslope areas between Kaupo and Nahiku.
“While no significant impacts have been noted as of yet, additional rainfall over that area today is expected to produce more flooding concerns,” forecasters said.
The flood watch remains for all Hawaiian Islands.
EARLIER COVERAGE
A flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands today through Monday afternoon due to the possibility of flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.
A deepening Kona low north of Kauai is expected to move southwest today and Monday before turning west. Thunderstorms and heavy showers will affect the region over the next couple days leading to the flash flood threat. Winds may strengthen to wind advisory levels Monday for lower elevations and high wind warnings on Hawaii island summits. Lingering moisture may keep rain over the state through the week.
>> Prepare for rainy weather as Kona low hits Hawaii
“Flood prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams,” according to the forecast. “Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff. Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain.”
The greatest flood risk is along the southeastern mountain slopes of Maui and Hawaii counties as deep moisture spreads up the slopes.
The flood watch may be extended into Tuesday if weather conditions persist.
Flood advisories are also in effect for Hawaii County until 10:45 a.m. today, while Maui County will remain in effect until 11:30 a.m. today.
At 7:45 a.m. today, the Hawaii island radar indicated heavy rain traveling over portions of Puna and Kau coasts. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with isolated heavier rainfall rates of 3 inches per hour between Pahala and Pahoa including areas of Pahoa Kalapana Road and Highway 11.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Wood Valley, Hawaiian Acres, Pahala, Orchidlands Estates, Keaau, Pahoa, Punaluu Beach, Kawa Flats, Papaikou, Naalehu, and Fern Forest.
At 8:19 a.m. today, the Maui County radar showed heavy rain continuing to develop and move over the eastern portions of the island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour with the highest rates and totals found in the upslope areas between Kaupo and Nahiku.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Kipahulu, Kaupo, Hana, Haleakala National Park and Hamoa.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Three of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation released statements on Saturday, Jan.3, in response to President Trump’s overnight operation in Venezuela.
“At a time when Americans can’t afford rent, healthcare, or groceries, the Trump administration found time and money for regime change in Venezuela, risking a war that Americans don’t want. Before we spend another dollar on this reckless conflict, the American people deserve answers, including what this administration’s exit strategy is. Americans wanted help and hope in 2026, not another war,” said Tokuda.
U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02)
Others echoed concerns about the legality of the operation, pointing to both international law and the U.S. Constitution. While acknowledging Venezuela’s political situation, some members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation said military action raises serious questions that extend beyond the actions of any one leader.
“Nicholas Maduro is an illegitimate and oppressive dictator and the people of Venezuela deserve better. But that alone doesn’t justify an armed attack on a sovereign country and forced regime change in violation of international law,” said Case. “And unless there was an imminent threat to our country, it doesn’t justify violating our Constitution and war powers law, which wisely reserves to Congress the grave decision to go to war.”
U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01)
Case also emphasized that Congress plays a critical role in decisions involving war and military force.
“I don’t yet know the full facts or the President’s justification to attack Venezuela, place our troops in harm’s way, capture Maduro and administer the country,” said Case. “But the precedent of any President taking our country to war arbitrarily, single-handedly and without the approval of Congress has cascading effects that are far more dangerous.”
U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01)
Senator Brian Schatz also weighed in, saying the operation could put American lives and interests at risk.
“President Trump is jeopardizing American lives and interests — and stating plainly that the purpose is for U.S. oil companies to make money in Venezuela. Either these companies knew about these plans in advance, or he’s ordering corporations to be a part of his effort to overthrow another government,” said Schatz. “This operation is illegal under international law and unconstitutional without prior congressional approval. The United States should not be running other countries for any reason. We should have learned by now not to get involved in endless wars and regime change missions that carry catastrophic consequences for Americans.”
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i)
Hawaii’s congressional lawmakers stressed that, while the situation in Venezuela is complex, military action should not be taken lightly.
“Nicolas Maduro should be held accountable for his actions, but Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to overthrow his regime does nothing to make our country safer. Instead, without any authorization from Congress or any clear plan for what comes next, Trump is plunging our nation into a conflict that could put American lives at risk while destabilizing the region and our relationships with our allies,” said Hirono. “Trump’s characteristically chaotic suggestion that the U.S is “going to run” Venezuela indefinitely, without any details, shows his disregard for the consequences of decades of misguided American intervention around the world. Trump promised to “end forever wars” and not engage in regime change. As usual, he says one thing and does another.”
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)
With questions still surrounding the operation, Hawaii’s congressional leaders say transparency and oversight are critical moving forward. They stated that decisions of this extent should not be made without the involvement of Congress or the public.
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