HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hale Ho'ola Hamakua has a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and recommended for families searching for nursing home care. It ranks #3 out of 41 facilities in Hawaii, placing it in the top tier, and #1 out of 7 in Hawaii County, meaning it is the best option locally. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from 9 in 2023 to 5 in 2024. Staffing is a strong point, receiving 5 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 28%, lower than the state average of 36%, though it has less RN coverage than 90% of Hawaii facilities, which is concerning. There have been significant incidents, such as a serious failure to protect a resident from sexual abuse and concerns about infection control practices, highlighting important areas that need attention despite the facility's overall strengths.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Hawaii
- #3/41
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 28% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 20 points below Hawaii's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $17,111 in fines. Lower than most Hawaii facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 73 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Hawaii nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Low Staff Turnover (28%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (28%)
20 points below Hawaii average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 15 deficiencies on record
Nov 2024
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record reviews, and interview, the facility failed to protect a resident (Resident 310) from physical abu...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to monitor vital signs; blood pressure for one R...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure 1 of 14 residents sampled (Resident 11) was fr...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0887
(Tag F0887)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview with staff members, the facility failed to provide education regarding the benefits, risks, and potential side effects associated with COVID-19 immunization before...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to record hot water temperatures for manual washing of dishes/pots/pans and failed to completely record hot water temperatures for the dis...
Read full inspector narrative →
Dec 2023
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview with a resident and record review, the facility failed to provide treatment and care in a manner that promote...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0572
(Tag F0572)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview with the resident council, the facility failed to ensure residents were provided ongoing communication regarding where to find the State Agency (SA) report with survey results and t...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interview with staff, the facility did not assure a resident was provided with personal privacy during incontinence care.
Findings include:
On 12/06/23 at 08:56 AM observed t...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Transfer Notice
(Tag F0623)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview with staff member, the facility did not ensure the notice of transfer/discharge contained t...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to provide appropriate services to prevent urinary trac...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview with staff, and review of the policy and procedures, the facility did not assure drug records for controlled drugs were maintained. This deficient practice has the pote...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, and record reviews, the facility failed to implement the facility's infection prevention and ...
Read full inspector narrative →
Mar 2023
2 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to assure the protection and freedom from sexual abuse of...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to report an alleged sexual abuse violation to the State Agency within two hours of receiving reports of inappropriate touching, invasion of p...
Read full inspector narrative →
Oct 2022
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure planned fall prevention interventi...
Read full inspector narrative →
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Grade B+ (81/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Hawaii.
- • 28% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 20 points below Hawaii's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • 15 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $17,111 in fines. Above average for Hawaii. Some compliance problems on record.
About This Facility
What is Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Hawaii, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua Staffed?
CMS rates HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 28%, compared to the Hawaii average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua?
State health inspectors documented 15 deficiencies at HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA during 2022 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 14 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua?
HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility is operated by HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 66 certified beds and approximately 61 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in HONOKAA, Hawaii.
How Does Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua Compare to Other Hawaii Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Hawaii, HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.5, staff turnover (28%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Hawaii. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua Stick Around?
Staff at HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 28%, the facility is 18 percentage points below the Hawaii average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly.
Was Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua Ever Fined?
HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA has been fined $17,111 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Hawaii average of $33,250. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Hale Ho'Ola Hamakua on Any Federal Watch List?
HALE HO'OLA HAMAKUA is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.