08-20-2013, 05:58 AM
Don't know the details of the shark attack response, although they transferred to medevac fairly quickly.
The general situation is we are screwed if we have a serious medical problem south of Pahoa. Not sure about the emergency response at the new police station but that is why you see these ambulances going up and down Hwy 130. It is the only road to south Puna and the ambulances are coming from the Hilo hospital. If you follow all the tourists that somehow get into the water from Lighthouse point and south, if they survive, usually have a medevac come out but the medevac can't land anywhere, usually picking the closest open public park. And when it comes to more serious medical problems like a heart attack, there is no heart surgeon on this island, the closest one is Maui, so they medevac. Apparently, that medevac costs $35,000. Anyway, try to stay safe and healthy.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
The general situation is we are screwed if we have a serious medical problem south of Pahoa. Not sure about the emergency response at the new police station but that is why you see these ambulances going up and down Hwy 130. It is the only road to south Puna and the ambulances are coming from the Hilo hospital. If you follow all the tourists that somehow get into the water from Lighthouse point and south, if they survive, usually have a medevac come out but the medevac can't land anywhere, usually picking the closest open public park. And when it comes to more serious medical problems like a heart attack, there is no heart surgeon on this island, the closest one is Maui, so they medevac. Apparently, that medevac costs $35,000. Anyway, try to stay safe and healthy.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*