Cyrus Aloiau, Raechell Kuahuia Paulo and big sister Vaitea welcomed Kalailoa Kaeo Aloiau-Kuahuia on Sunday, Jan. 1 at Kona Community Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Kona Community Hospital)

Emily Mendez-Bryant | KCH Community Relations

Cyrus Aloiau and Raechell Kuahuia Paulo of Kaneohe welcomed son, Kalailoa Kaeo Aloiau-Kuahuia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 at Kona Community Hospital.

Born at 3:48 p.m., his birth time gives him the status of first baby born at Kona Community Hospital this year. He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and was 19.5 inches tall.

The attending physician was Santad Sira, M.D., attending pediatrician was Steven Kaplan M.D.

Grandmother and KCH Dietary department employee of 12 years, Adrian Kuahuia, said, “I’m surprised he is the first baby of the New Year. He is my first grandson and we are so happy.”

Two-year old sister, Vaitea Aloiau-Kuahuia, was also born at Kona Community Hospital said father Cyrus.

“We are happy with the care we have received,” he said. “We even had our daughter here in this same room.”

KCH nurses and staff celebrated the birth with a presentation of a first baby package for the family. Local merchants and individuals who donated gifts include ChoiceMart, Floral Expressions by Lisa, Keei Cafe, Kona Chips, Longs Drug Store Keauhou, Oshima Store, Robert Thomas Photography and Teshima’s Restaurant.

The family also received a baby basket from Family Support Hawaii that included an island-wide resource directory and a breastfeeding pillow, a library of books from local 4H clubs, hats and baby blankets from the Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary and community volunteers, and gifts from the Obstetrics department.

Kona Community Hospital has welcomed four generations of newborns into the world and more than 500 babies are delivered every year in the Obstetrics unit.

“We are proud of the care we provide at Kona Community Hospital,” said Sally Robertson, Obstetrics Nurse Manager. “Many of the families that we have cared for have had multiple generations born at our hospital. We are so happy to be part of this kind of history in Kona.”

Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service hospital with 24-hour emergency services that supports the west region of the island of Hawaii. It is a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a special agency of the state of Hawaii established in 1996.

It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Kona Community Hospital is dedicated to providing and enhancing accessible comprehensive healthcare services to the West Hawaii community.