Kaiser Opens New Rainbow Dialysis Center in Lahaina

By Maui Now Staff

Kaiser Permanente held a blessing ceremony today for its newest facility on Maui.  The Rainbow Dialysis Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi, is located at Lahaina Gateway, just minutes from Kaiser‘s Lahaina Clinic.  The new facility will begin treating patients in early May.

It is the second Rainbow Dialysis Center on Maui and has the capacity to treat approximately 18 kidney patients per day.  The first Rainbow Dialysis Center location opened in Wailuku in June 2012.

The 2,000-square-foot facility is equipped with six dialysis stations, including an isolation unit to provide treatment for patients with contagious illnesses.

Kaiser representatives say the center will leverage services to improve the quality of care and provide patients treatment closer to home.

“Unfortunately, diabetes and resulting kidney disease are common health issues in Hawaiʻi, making dialysis an essential treatment for so many people,” said Geoffrey Sewell, MD, president and executive medical director of Hawaiʻi Permanente Medical Group in a press release statement. “We’re pleased to be able to provide patients on the Valley Isle with greater access to high-quality dialysis care at our new location in Lahaina.”

The Lahaina facility location will be led by medical director Alan Lau, MD, chief of nephrology at Kaiser Permanente; and will be managed by DaVita, one of the nation’s largest kidney care providers.

“Making quality health care convenient and affordable has always been our priority,” said Mary Ann Barnes, RN, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi and Rainbow Dialysis in the announcement. “We are proud to be here today celebrating our second dialysis center in the Maui community, which will make treatments easier for the island’s dialysis patients,” she said.

Rudy Marilla, vice president of clinic operations; Mary Ann Barnes, RN, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Rainbow Dialysis; Kahu Earl Kukahiko; and Geoffrey Sewell, MD, president and executive medical director of Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, at the blessing of Lahaina Rainbow Dialysis Center on April 30. Courtesy photo.

Exterior of Lahaina Rainbow Dialysis Center. Courtesy photo.

Interior of Lahaina Rainbow Dialysis Center. Courtesy photo.