Our moʻokūʻauhau or genealogy provides us with a foundation from which to move forward. Five Mountains Hawaiʻi began as Five Mountains Medical Community 15 years ago (1996). We were founded by Earl Bakken after a conversation he had with Kenneth Brown. Although our roots are in North Hawaiʻi, we share our healthy community vision with all of Hawaiʻi Island.

Earl Bakken

• Earl Bakken invented the transistor pacemaker in the 1950s.
• After a full career building Medtronic, he move to Hawaiʻi with the thought of retirement – but he had a calling. Becoming Kenny Brown’s hānai brother, these two visionaries were determined to improve the health of the under-served.
• Dr. Bakken spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital – bringing it to fruition.
• He also created “grassroots” health/wellness, science/education, community-strengthening organizations such as Tūtū’s House, The Kohala Center, Five Mountains Medical Community (now Five Mountains Hawaiʻi), Bakken Foundation, and numerous others.

Kenneth Brown

• Kenny Brown is the great grandson of John Papa Iʻi, adviser to Kamehameha II, III, and other royalty.
• Kenny Brown is the nephew of Francis H. Iʻi Brown, former owner of the lands of Kalāhuipuaʻa, currently known as Mauna Lani Resort.
• Kenny and his wife Joan reside on Oʻahu and in Waimea.
• Kenny is a businessman, architect, former State Senator, sat on the board of the Queen’s Healthcare System and East-West Center.
• Most of all, he is a visionary – inspiring community through involvement. His dream is for Hawaiʻi to be seen as the center for health, and for Hawaiian healing principles to be the key to solving some of the healthcare issues we face today.