On Kauaʻi’s North Shore, access to medical care is limited. There is no hospital in the region. When urgent needs arise, the community depends on a single resource: Makana North Shore Urgent Care.

That reality is what inspired North Shore Give to create the annual Gift of Health challenge.

North Shore Give is a nonprofit community foundation that enhances the quality of life on Kauaʻi’s remote North Shore by supporting meaningful initiatives that solve community challenges.

In 2025, we reached our fundraising goal for Gift of Health when the community responded with remarkable generosity. Contributions funded a new ultrasound machine and advanced training for two Makana medical providers. The ultrasound was officially handed over to Makana in October 2025 (photo shown). Patients today receive higher-level care close to home, avoiding the long and often difficult trip to Līhuʻe.

This year’s goal is to expand medical services at Makana North Shore Urgent Care through much-needed everyday tools. The emphasis is on small, high-impact upgrades that improve how care is delivered. These include a patient monitor to keep a constant eye on vital signs; portable defibrillator for cardiac emergencies; blood testing analyzer to check blood cell counts, organ function, and signs of infection or other health problems; and other tools.

These investments will result in faster diagnosis and treatment and more medical services available closer to home. This is how a stronger, more resilient community is built: through practical steps that improve care, day by day.