WAILUKU, Maui — Maui Memorial Medical Center's new $46 million wing is further evidence the state-run facility is making progress toward meeting the community's healthcare needs, officials said.

Officials are hosting a grand opening today.

The wing will add 24 new medical/surgical beds, bringing the total number of hospital beds to 231, and 16 new rooms in the intensive care unit, adding to the 13 existing critical-care beds. The rooms in the new ICU are larger and will be furnished with sleeper sofas to accommodate overnight stays by relatives.

"This is the kickoff to expanding healthcare services for Maui," said Pat Saka, regional chief financial officer and chief administrative officer for the hospital, during a tour of the new wing this week.

Maui Memorial has come under intense criticism recently as developers of the proposed Malulani Health & Medical Center seek state approval to build a 150-bed hospital in Kihei.

During a series of public hearings, physicians, nurses, residents and even Gov. Linda Lingle and Mayor Alan Arakawa came out in favor of a second hospital. Supporters say there is a critical need for better and expanded medical facilities and services on Maui so that hundreds of residents don't have to seek off-island treatment.

Malulani's application for a certificate of need is pending before State Health Planning & Development Agency administrator Dr. David Sakamoto, who is expected to issue a decision some time next month.

During their own presentations at the hearings, Maui Memorial officials said they are well on their way to realizing substantial improvements. Foremost is the new four-story, 75,000-square-foot wing, which features a two-story lobby and admitting area adorned with a glass wall by artist Rick Mills, an expanded physical and occupational therapy department with a gym, and a new outpatient surgery center with four procedure rooms.

Saka said departments will begin moving in next month, and the building should be fully occupied and operational by October. At that time, renovations to the older hospital facilities will begin. The cafeteria already is being remodeled and is scheduled to be open to the public early next year.

Groundbreaking for the emergency room expansion will be in November. Work to add 6,200 square feet of space and nine treatment rooms is expected to be finished in early 2008.

Maui Memorial will continue with free valet parking at the new hospital entrance.

Design and construction drawings of the new wing were by NBBJ of Seattle and Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo; Hawaiian Dredging was the general contractor.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.