Mayor Kim renewed calls for Avalon Health Care to be removed from operating the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home after another resident death brought the total to 25. An inspection report cited lack of adequate infection control and other issues. Avalon disputed being politically blamed and said other states provided more support for long-term care facilities during the pandemic. The home had below average health inspection and overall ratings on Medicare.gov despite above average staffing and quality measures ratings.

1. GRAND SUMO – HAWAII 2020
JONOKUCHI vs YOKOZUNA
MAYOR KIM DEMANDS IGE
REMOVE AVALON FROM OKUTSU VETERANS HOME
Kim cites VA inspection report that found lack of adequate infection control and other lapses
By Kevin Dayton, Honolulu Civil Beat, September 22, 2020
<https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/mayor-kim-demands-ige-remove-avalon-from-okutsu-veterans-home/>
“Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim renewed his call Monday that control of operations at
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home be removed from Avalon Health Care.”
“County Civil Defense officials announced another death of an Okutsu resident Tuesday
morning. That means a total of 25 veterans and their spouses who lived at the home have died
after testing positive for COVID-19, and Kim said in his letter that “I have no confidence and
trust in Avalon.”
“Allison Griffiths, spokeswoman and vice president for legal affairs for Avalon Health Care
Management Inc., did not respond directly to Kim’s letter to Ige, but said in a written
statement Monday that “we are very disappointed with how politically charged this situation
has gotten.”
“The lack of collaboration and support by the Department of Health and other state
agencies is unprecedented,” Griffiths wrote. “In every other state in which we operate, the
state Department of Health has offered support, guidance, collaboration, PPE, testing, etc. to
our facilities as the common goal among all involved is the health and safety of the residents
and the community.” [Emphasis Supplied]
Additional Reference
1. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ: FAILURES AT HILO VETERANS HOME 'INFURIATING'
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has called for the nursing home operator to be removed.
By Kevin Dayton, Honolulu Civil Beat, September 20, 2020 <https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/mayor-kim-
demands-ige-remove-avalon-from-okutsu-veterans-home/>
2. WHAT IS A STATE VETERANS HOME? State Veterans Homes are facilities that provide
nursing home, domiciliary or adult day care. They are owned, operated and managed by
state governments. They date back to the post-Civil War era when many states created them to
provide shelter to homeless and disabled Veterans. [Emphasis Supplied]
To participate in the State Veterans Home program, VA MUST FORMALLY
RECOGNIZE AND CERTIFY A FACILITY AS A STATE VETERANS HOME. VA
then surveys all facilities each year to make sure they continue to meet VA standards. VA
does not manage State Veterans Homes. [Emphasis Supplied]
US Office of Veterans Affairs <https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/docs/State_Veterans_Homes.pdf>

2. AVALON HEALTH CARE – GO TELL IT TO THE MOUNTAIN
THIS IS HAWAII!
AVALON HAWAII COMMUNITIES
<https://www.avalonhealthcare.com/halenani/>
Avalon Care Center – Honolulu - Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home
HALE NANI REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER
<https://www.familyassets.com/nursing-homes/hawaii/hale-nani-rehabilitation-and-nursing-center>
Private Room Monthly Cost $13,383
Non-private Room Monthly Cost $10,402
Ratings Breakdown Based on Online Reviews
Excellent 31%
Very Good 35%
Average 8%
Under Average 4%
Poor 23%
AVALON CARE CENTER
<https://www.familyassets.com/nursing-homes/hawaii/avalon-care-center-honolulu-llc>
Private Room Monthly Cost $8,912
Non-private Room Monthly Cost $8,638
Ratings Breakdown Based on Online Reviews
Excellent 12%
Very Good 38%
Average 0%
Under Average 12%
Poor 38%
YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME
<https://www.familyassets.com/nursing-homes/hawaii/yukio-okutsu-state-veterans-home>
We do not have pricing for this facility
STATE AVERAGE COST
Private Room Monthly Cost $11,776 Non-private Room Monthly Cost $10,798

3. SENIOR ADVICE - Cost Comparisons Accessed September 23, 2020
<https://www.senioradvice.com/providers/view/yukio-okutsu-state-veterans-home-hilo-hi#pricing>
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home Average $9,021
Hilo Average $7,934
Hawaii Average $6,105
National Average $4,155
MEDICARE.gov RATING Accessed September 23, 2020
<https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/profile.html#profTab=0&ID=125058>
YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME
➢ This nursing home has been cited for abuse
➢ Health inspection rating: 1 out of 5 stars - Much Below Average
➢ Staffing rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Much Above Average
➢ Quality measures rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Much Above Average
➢ Overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars - Below Average
____________________________________
A leader is someone who has the courage to say publicly what everybody else is
whispering privately. It is not his insight that sets the leader apart from the crowd.
It is his courage to act and speak up when everyone else is silent and are those who
would rather challenge what needs to change and pay the price than remain silent
and die on the inside. - Charles Andrew Stanley
JONOKUCHI KIM
Skill, Consistency and Durability
YOBIMODOSHI
Photograph Courtesy Hawaii Tribune-Herald