HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Significant changes are occurring at the Hawaii State Hospital as the administrator of the mental health facility announces plans to step down and return to a clinical role as a psychiatrist within the hospital.
According to a statement provided to KHON2 by the Department of Health, Dr. Kenneth Luke, who has been at the helm since May of the previous year, played a crucial role in navigating the hospital through the challenges of the pandemic and laying the groundwork for enhancing mental health care in Hawaii.
The announcement comes in the wake of last November's indictment of a patient for second-degree murder in the stabbing death of nurse Justin Bautista, underlining the ongoing complexities facing the facility.
As the search for a new administrator commences, the Department of Health is actively working to ensure continuity in leadership.
Efforts to gather input from the union representing state workers regarding the transition remain ongoing.