LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Striking nurses began picketing Wilcox Memorial Hospital at 7 a.m. yesterday, as supervisory staff and contract nurses from the Mainland took over patient services in the hospital.

Hawai'i Nurses Association spokesman D.Q. Jackson said that picketing activities appeared to be going well and that many drivers on Kuhio Highway fronting the hospital appeared supportive.

Nurses walked in yesterday's hot sun, many of them carrying umbrellas. Representatives of other unions stopped by to lend moral support, bringing donations like cases of cold water.

Inside, Wilcox Hospital public relations officer Lani Yukimura said that hospital facilities were fully functional for a Saturday and that there had been no particular difficulties.

She said some people seeking medical care appeared confused by the picketing, and she noted that the strike is against the hospital, but not the adjacent Kaua'i Medical Group.

Patients going to doctor's appointments at the medical group can enter the hospital's Wal-Mart side entrance, where they will be asked their destinations by a joint group of hospital and union personnel. Those going to the medical group will be waved through, while those intending to enter the hospital will be directed to a main entrance where they will be required to cross through picket lines.

Both Jackson and Yukimura said a few union nurses went to work at the hospital yesterday, but neither could say how many of the union's 140 nurses at Wilcox are crossing picket lines.

They said there had been no negotiation sessions since Thursday, and none has been called. Any new meetings between the parties are expected to be called by a federal mediator assigned to the strike.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.