New Straub emergency department opens after 14-month renovation

Sunrise admin June 10, 2026 0 Comments

New Straub emergency department opens after 14-month renovation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Straub Benioff Medical Center has opened its newly renovated Emergency Department after a 14-month project designed to expand capacity, improve patient flow, and better match the level of care staff provide to the community.

Kunane Wooton, RN, the department’s manager, said the updated space is both a practical and symbolic investment.

“The biggest thing is the Emergency Department now truly reflects the care that we provide,” Wooton said. “Our team is very compassionate and committed to the community, and this renovation really is an investment in our community.”

Bigger footprint, more places to be seen

One of the first changes patients will notice is a larger, dedicated waiting room. Overall, the Emergency Department is nearly 4,000 square feet larger than the previous space.

The redesign also increases the number of areas where patients can receive care, with more than 20 treatment areas, including more than 10 private treatment rooms, according to Wooton.

New safety features and upgraded capabilities

Wooton said the renovation includes additional features aimed at safety and preparedness, including:

He said the updated space and technology expand the department’s ability to care for the community.

Beyond square footage, Wooton emphasized that workflow was a major focus of the renovation. He said staff input helped guide a design that reduces congestion and allows people to move through the department more quickly.

“Our ED is a busy place,” Wooton said, noting that patients, staff and first responders—including EMS or AMR teams—often need to move quickly from place to place. “In our previous space, that would lead to some congestion. The new space is designed to allow people to move through it quickly.”

‘This is a kakou thing’

Wooton said he hopes the public understands the Emergency Department is more than an entry point—it’s often the “front door” to the hospital.

“This is a kakou thing, everyone has a part in the success of our department,” he said, adding that teamwork extends to patients and their loved ones.

Wooton encouraged patients and family members to share as much information as possible with providers.

“Patients and their family members are part of the healthcare team—they’re truly one of us,” he said. “We need our patients and families to tell us what’s going on with them so we can help them and provide the best care.”