Pod Squad: Expanding Hawaii State Hospital 'Long Overdue'

When they reconvene next January, Hawaii legislators are likely to be looking at a proposal for a $150 million addition to the State Hospital.

And the state Department of Health is also looking to partner with Avalon Health Care for the construction of a behavioral health addition for people with less-severe afflictions.

The expansions are “long overdue,” Dr. Mark Fridovich says in the latest edition of the Pod Squad.

Fridovich, chief of the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division, joined host Chad Blair and reporter Nathan Eagle to discuss why the State Hospital needs to grow and what the expansions would mean for the overall state of mental health services in the islands — especially if they could be coupled with an improvement in services for people once they leave the hospital.

Hit the play button to hear the discussion or subscribe to the Civil Beat Pod Squad on iTunes or Stitcher.

Chad Blair, center Dr. Mark Fridovich and right, Nathan Eagle. 20 aug 2015. photograph Cory Lum/Civil Beat

The latest Pod Squad installment features, from left, Chad Blair, Dr. Mark Fridovich and Nathan Eagle.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Want to hear more? Check out Civil Beat’s other podcasts.
The Pod Squad iTunes Stitcher	Civil Beat Podcasts iTunes Stitcher

Want to hear more? Check out Civil Beat's other podcasts.

On Campus

We go behind the scenes as teachers and parents launch a brand new charter school in Hawaii.

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Offshore

Offshore is a new immersive storytelling podcast about a Hawaii most tourists never see.

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The Pod Squad

Host Chad Blair dives into the biggest stories of the week and what they mean for the people of Hawaii.

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About the Author

April Estrellon

April Estrellon is Civil Beat's multimedia and podcast producer. You can reach her by email at april@civilbeat.org.

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