Hawaii › Hawaii County › Hilo
Life Care Center of Hilo
944 West Kawailani Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Ratings are based on the most recent data available; a facility's ratings may have changed since the last update. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys and complaint investigations. CMS processed this record on 1 Aug 2026. View the Care Compare record.
Life Care Center of Hilo, in Hilo, Hawaii, is certified for 252 beds under for-profit, corporation ownership and belongs to the Life Care Centers Of America chain.
CMS gives it 3 of 5 stars overall, below the Hawaii median of 4; the health inspection rating is 2, staffing 4 and quality measures 5.
Inspectors recorded 41 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles (13, 25, 3 by cycle, most recent first), 1 of them at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. That is 16.3 per 100 beds, fewer than the state median of 39.8.
CMS lists 1 penalty in the period covered: fines totalling $8K.
Reported nurse staffing is 3.8 hours per resident per day (1.0 RN), close to the Hawaii median of 4.6; nursing staff turnover is 30.3%.
CMS flags that the facility has not had a standard health inspection in more than two years.
Compared with county, state and nation
| Measure | This facility | Hawaii Co. median | Hawaii median | US average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.0 |
| Health citations, 3 cycles | 41 | 34 | 34 | 28.7 |
| Citations per 100 beds | 16.3 | 34.0 | 39.8 | 26.8 |
| Total nurse hours per resident day | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.9 |
| RN hours per resident day | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 30.3% | 30.8% | 32.2% | 45.8% |
| Fines listed | $8,492 | $8,492 | $8,018 | — |
County and state figures are medians across facilities (7 in the county, 43 in the state); the US column is the CMS national average where CMS publishes one.
Citations by survey cycle
Dark bar: this facility. Grey bar: Hawaii average per facility for the same cycle, as published by CMS. Standard health survey dates: 1 Dec 2023, 18 Nov 2022.
Severity mix: G ×1 D ×28 E ×11 C ×1
Health deficiencies
Every health citation in the current CMS record (three survey cycles), most recent first. Tag text is the CMS requirement summary, not the inspection narrative.
Scope and severity letters (A–L)
| Survey date | Tag | What the tag requires | Severity | Type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2026 | F0697 | Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. | G | Complaint investigation | 1 May 2026 |
| 1 Apr 2026 | F0609 | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 May 2026 |
| 1 Apr 2026 | F0610 | Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 May 2026 |
| 1 May 2025 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 May 2025 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0725 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | E | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0584 | Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Complaint investigation | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0755 | Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0761 | Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Dec 2023 | F0847 | Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse. | D | Standard survey | 15 Jan 2024 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0575 | Post a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all pertinent State agencies and advocacy groups and a statement that the resident may file a complaint with the State Survey Agency. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0585 | Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0679 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0725 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0732 | Post nurse staffing information every day. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0761 | Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0561 | Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0578 | Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0584 | Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0604 | Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0607 | Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0609 | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0655 | Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0657 | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0744 | Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0757 | Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0790 | Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0883 | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 18 Nov 2022 | F0920 | Provide at least one room set aside to use as a resident dining room and for activities, that is a good size, with good lighting, air flow and furniture. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2023 |
| 26 Oct 2021 | F0688 | Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason. | D | Standard survey | 16 Nov 2021 |
| 26 Oct 2021 | F0758 | Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited. | D | Standard survey | 16 Nov 2021 |
| 26 Oct 2021 | F0557 | Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. | C | Standard survey | 16 Nov 2021 |
Penalties
| Date | Type | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2026 | Fine | $8,492 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day as reported through the Payroll-Based Journal; grey bars are the Hawaii average. Turnover: nursing staff 30.3%, RNs 28.3%; 0 administrators left in the reporting year.
Quality measures
| Measure | Residents | This facility | Hawaii median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 16.8% | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.7% | 1.7% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 4.2% | 1.2% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 1.7% | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 15.0% | 20.2% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 2.6% | 3.0% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 12.8% | 11.4% | 13.4% |
Four-quarter averages for the measures CMS uses in the quality-measure star rating (2025Q2-2026Q1). Lower is better for every measure listed. Medians are computed across facilities on this site.
Ownership
Ownership type: for-profit, corporation. Legal business name: Hilo Medical Investors Ltd. Chain: Life Care Centers Of America (194 facilities).
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sbk LLC | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | 25% | 06/14/1999 |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 08/01/1994 |
| Sbk LLC | General partnership interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 06/14/1999 |
Only organisations are shown. CMS also records individual owners, officers and managing employees; this site does not publish people's names.
Other nursing homes in Hawaii County
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honoka'A Hospital & Skilled Nursing | Honokaa | 66 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21.2 | — | 22 Nov 2024 |
| Hale Anuenue Restorative Care | Hilo | 120 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 23.3 | — | 2 Feb 2024 |
| Hilo Benioff Medical Center | Hilo | 52 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 44.2 | — | 7 Feb 2025 |
| Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home | Hilo | 95 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 39 | 41.1 | $13K | 15 Nov 2024 |
| Life Care Center of Kona | Kailua Kona | 94 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 44 | 46.8 | $28K | 25 Sep 2024 |
| Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation & Nursing Center | Hilo | 100 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 34.0 | $16K | 27 Feb 2026 |
All 7 facilities in Hawaii County
Questions and answers
How many deficiencies has Life Care Center of Hilo been cited for?
41 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles, 1 at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. The Hawaii median is 34 per facility.
Has Life Care Center of Hilo been fined?
Yes. CMS lists fines totalling $8K in the period covered.
How does staffing at Life Care Center of Hilo compare?
Reported total nurse staffing is 3.8 hours per resident per day against a Hawaii median of 4.6 and a national average of 3.9.
Who operates Life Care Center of Hilo?
It is part of the Life Care Centers Of America chain. Ownership type is for-profit, corporation. Organisations in the CMS ownership record include Sbk LLC and Life Care Centers of America, Inc.. Individual owners and managers are not listed on this site.
When was Life Care Center of Hilo last inspected?
The most recent survey or investigation in the CMS record is dated 1 Apr 2026; the most recent standard health survey was 1 Dec 2023.
Where does this data come from?
All figures are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Care Compare datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership and quality measures), processed 1 Aug 2026. Ratings and citations may change; the Care Compare record is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare nursing home datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership, MDS quality measures, state and national averages), public domain, processed by CMS on 1 Aug 2026. Facility record: Care Compare. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections.