The Health of KKV: 2024 Employee Satisfaction Survey 

All graphics courtesy of Hui Hoaka.

If we had to choose one word to describe our KKV ʻohana, it would be resilient. In 2024, our health center underwent, and is still going through, so much change. But at the heart of our operation, our staff remain grounded in the work that we love to do. While we are proud of our progress, we recognize the need for continued improvements to support our staff and better serve the Kalihi community. 

Ensuring our staff feel seen, heard, and valued is a top priority at KKV. Our annual employee satisfaction survey serves as a key communication tool between staff, coordinators, administrators, and board members. In 2024, KKV recorded an overall satisfaction rating of 97%, up from 93% in 2023. At KKV, satisfaction means having kuleana, a sense of belonging, and support. Satisfaction by type of work at KKV also hit high marks, with clinical positions at 96% and SDOH (Social Determinants of Health) positions at 100%. One of the biggest factors that affected satisfaction at KKV was financial stress. This was the first time this topic was brought up in our staff survey, and the majority of responses said this was one of their top worries. 

Satisfaction also increased by work site. In 2024, KVIBE, the Gulick Elder Care Center, KPT Clinic, and Hoʻoulu ʻĀina reported 100% satisfaction. The Judd Clinic also saw a 9% increase from 2023, reaching a 96% satisfaction rating. Managing multiple sites across Kalihi can be challenging, but all our locations help us to serve the community in different ways, which is always our top priority. 

Pilinahā, a core pillar of KKV’s mission, uplifts our connections to community, place, best self, and past, present, and future. In 2024, 67% of staff reported deepening these connections compared to the previous year. Notably, connections to kuleana and community increased by 8% and 6% respectively. The survey also found that stronger pilinahā connections correlated with higher job satisfaction and overall well-being, particularly in relation to community, self, and KKV’s mission. 

Looking ahead, staff identified four key areas to improve the health of our health center: 

  • Staff Support: Hiring more staff to reduce workload, increasing training on LGBTQ+ issues, trauma-informed care, domestic violence, and cultural etiquette, and improving pay and benefits to address financial stress. 

  • Patient Care: Enhancing access to medical records, transportation support, reducing wait times, and promoting physical health initiatives. 

  • Facility Maintenance: Improving parking accessibility and fixing air conditioning systems. 

  • Community Voice: Establishing a client advisory board, hiring more community health workers, sharing updates on important policies, and expanding outreach events. 

Caring for our staff is essential to caring for our community. With a 97% satisfaction rating, we still remain committed to further improving staff support, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.