In September 1999, my wife and I received the worst news any parent could hear. My 31-year-old son, Robert, was seriously injured in a car crash. He was taken to and cared for at Maui Memorial Hospital, but he was declared brain dead nine days later. It is because of this experience that I am fighting for the best medical care possible for the residents of West Maui.

The state is reviewing a proposal for a second hospital on Maui, the $212 million, 150-bed Malulani Health and Medical Center to be located in Kihei.

I believe that Maui needs a second hospital given our growing population and the distance people must travel to receive proper medical care. Maui also deserves a new, state-of-the-art facility so that people wouldn't have to travel to O'ahu for the most advanced medical treatment. The greater need, however, is not in Kihei but in West Maui.

West Maui has a population of about 50,000, and that is expected to double over the next 10 years.

In addition, we are considered a prime visitor destination, and we have thousands of visitors in and around Ka'anapali and Lahaina on any given day with the potential need for medical care. When there is a major accident, traffic is a serious concern for emergency vehicles. There is only one way in and out of the area, from Ka'anapali through Lahaina and on to Wailuku. We are grateful for the excellent treatment my son received at Maui Memorial, but we will always wonder whether his life could have been saved had there been a closer hospital.

In the 2006 legislative session, we were successful in getting $300,000 for urgent and extended medical care for West Maui. Urgent care is defined as an illness or injury that is not life threatening but is brought on unexpectedly. Extended care refers to receiving appropriate medical care after normal physician or clinic work hours.

The lack of medical services in our community has been an on-going issue for many years and has put our residents in jeopardy. I'm very pleased that I was able to secure this funding for West Maui, but it is just a first step toward saving more lives, and a full hospital is needed.

I think the majority of residents in West Maui understand that medical facilities are very expensive and that the planning for such a facility must take into consideration what is best for all the people of Maui, not just one district. However, West Maui has been one of the state's largest hotel and resort areas for more than 30 years. The area has significantly contributed to the state coffers through the transient accommodations tax. West Mauians have waited patiently for many years to receive back a fair share of benefits and resources from the state.

Like many, I am concerned about the economics of a new medical facility. The private hospital that Dr. Ron Kwon is planning will have an uphill battle due to the need for doctors, nurses and technical workers. We already have a shortage of workers in the state, and even if we were able to recruit professionals from the Mainland, where would they live, and how would they affect our existing housing crisis? This is where I believe the state should be focused, making sure that we have the infrastructure in place to attract private investment and to take advantage of projects such as Malulani.

I also support the Maui Memorial Medical Center's plans to build a cardiac unit. It is unfortunate that the two projects seem to be heading toward a political collision course. Maui needs both facilities, and I would encourage Malulani to design their facility so that the two hospitals are complementary and support each other; that the two together are stronger than two apart.

Don't wait for tragedy to strike before realizing the need for increased medical services on Maui. Let's support both these projects, and if a second hospital is approved, please consider locating it in West Maui.

Rep. Kam Tanaka is the state representative for District 10 (West Maui).