Amar named Kohala Hospital administrator

Eugene Amar Jr. is the new administrator of Kohala Hospital effective Tuesday, according to Jay Kreuzer, the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. regional executive officer who oversees the hospital.

Amar, who goes by the name “Gino,” has spent 20 years with Kohala Hospital. He began his career there as an accountant before being named the hospital’s business office manager and then assistant hospital administrator, according to Kreuzer. Prior to the appointment, Amar had served as Kohala Hospital’s acting administrator.

Born and raised in North Kohala, Amar is a Kohala High School graduate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in health care administration, according to Kreuzer. He also holds a nursing home administrator’s license.

Kreuzer also noted Amar has been instrumental in getting recent renovations at the facility done, as well as constructing a secondary access road to the hospital’s emergency room. He is also tasked with the implementation of the hospital’s electronic medical record system, expected to go live in February 2013.

Amar’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of North Kohala Community Resource Center, of which he is a founding member. He is a member, entertainment committee chairman and master of ceremonies for the Kohala Country Fair. He is also the secretary of Koa Puna Motorcycle Club’s Kohala Chapter.

Amar was unable to be reached for comment on his new position as of press time Wednesday.

— WHT