Honolulu EMS Breaks Ground on New $5.3M Kahuku Station
- Honolulu Emergency Medical Services broke ground on a new $5.3 million station in Kahuku on Sept.
- City officials emphasized the operational necessity of the upgraded infrastructure during the first excavation ceremony.
- This year has demonstrated more than ever how vulnerable our North Shore communities are during natural disasters and how important strong infrastructure is to protecting our residents.
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services broke ground on a new $5.3 million station in Kahuku on Sept. 26, 2026. The facility replaces a building that has housed North Shore paramedics and emergency medical technicians for nearly three decades. The replacement facility will span more than 3,000 square feet along Kamehameha Highway. It marks a expansion from the existing 900-square-foot building in operation since 1997. Amethyst Builders LLC secured the contract for the project, which will feature a tandem ambulance garage to replace the current single-stall setup.
Breaking Ground on a $5.3 Million Kahuku Upgrade
Addressing Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
City officials emphasized the operational necessity of the upgraded infrastructure during the first excavation ceremony.
This year has demonstrated more than ever how vulnerable our North Shore communities are during natural disasters and how important strong infrastructure is to protecting our residents.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi Blangiardi added that local paramedics and emergency medical technicians deserve a safe, modern environment to support their emergency response work.
Modern Amenities for High-Demand Crews
The expanded station layout addresses long-standing spatial limitations by incorporating a functional kitchen, dedicated office space, two crew break rooms, two bathrooms, a shower, and a specialized decontamination room. Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Jim Ireland noted that these amenities provide essential spaces for crews to rest and reset between difficult calls. Operational coverage for the Kahuku unit stretches from Kaʻaʻawa to Pūpūkea. Data from Honolulu EMS shows the unit has handled more than 900 emergency calls so far in 2026, managing incidents ranging from motor vehicle collisions and ocean accidents to hiking injuries and cardiac arrests.
Timeline, Construction, and Temporary Operations
Demolition of the current structure is scheduled to begin in November, with construction slated for completion in December 2027.
When an emergency happens, every minute matters.
Councilmember Matt Weyer Weyer stated that the project improves services for the community and positions the region to better handle disasters. During the construction period, the Kahuku EMS crew will maintain uninterrupted service by operating out of the Honolulu Police Department’s Kahuku substation located on the same property. The first excavation ceremony also featured student performances, with Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i ‘o Kahuku Academy from Kahuku High School performing an oli and mele during the blessing led by Kahu Brutus LaBenz.