Behind the Decision to Create the Burn Care Unit in Hawai‘i
The Burn Care Unit at Straub Benioff Medical Center opened in 1983 to serve a vital need in the state and the Pacific region.
Up until the 1980s, people in Hawai‘i and the Pacific who suffered severe, life-threatening burns had little choice but to be transported to the mainland. But from arranging a transpacific medical flight to finding a burn center that could take the patient, nothing about the process was simple. Even if the patient made it to a mainland center, their chance of survival was low.
“It was a no brainer that we needed a burn unit in Hawai‘i, and Straub Benioff had a legacy of medical firsts in the state” said Dr. Robert Schulz, who co-founded Straub Benioff Medical Center’s Burn Care Unit with Dr. James Penoff in 1983. “It was in the best interest of our patients.”
Dr. Schulz, who is also the unit’s medical director, is proud of how he and his specialized team have impacted the community over the decades.
Since it was established, the Burn Care Unit has treated more than 2,000 patients for thermal, electrical and chemical burns, as well as a host of other conditions that affect the skin and the limbs.
Dr. Robert Schulz with a patient in the Burn Care Unit. Since 1983, the unit has treated more than 2,000 patients.
An important reason why the Burn Care Unit is able to provide its essential services is because of community supporters. Among them is First Hawaiian Bank, which has donated more than $100,000 to the unit since 2023. With the bank’s support, more than a dozen Straub Benioff team members attended the American Burn Association’s annual conference in Arizona last year. The conference was an opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in burn care and network with thousands of other burn care professionals.
“We are pleased to support Straub Benioff Medical Center’s Burn Care Unit, a vital and much-needed service in our community,” said Cameron Nekota, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation president. “The importance of this unit was demonstrated after the Āliamanu New Year’s fireworks tragedy. Caring for burn victims requires highly specialized medical professionals, and we are proud to provide financial support that enabled the burn care team to travel to the mainland for advanced training last year.”
Support Straub Benioff’s Burn Care Unit
A burn injury can happen to anyone at any moment. In emergencies where expert burn care is required, the Burn Care Unit at Straub Benioff Medical Center provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art services. Established in 1983, the Burn Care Unit is the first and only one of its kind in the state and the Pacific region.
The Burn Care Unit relies on donations for its program to support specialized equipment and advanced education opportunities. With the community’s support, the unit has been the lifesaving resource for patients from the Maui wildfires, the New Year’s fireworks explosion in Āliamanu, and more. To date, the Burn Care Unit has treated thousands of patients, whether it be a burn from hot saimin to significant bodily injuries from a house fire. To donate, go to Giving.HawaiiPacificHealth.org/Make-a-Gift/Straub-Benioff-Foundation.
