Premier Property Development, a for-profit arm of the Kapiolani medical system, acquired the vacant property, which is near the Kunia Walmart store, on March 12, said Pat Oda, Kapiolani spokeswoman.

Oda said the Kapiolani Health has long-term plans to build a primary care ambulatory center at the site. An ambulatory center is a type of hospital where patients are not confined to beds.

Oda said that the Kapiolani Health system -- which operates the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children and the Pali Momi hospital in Aiea -- was attracted by West Oahu's population growth. She said many Kapiolani patients live in the area.

"The West Oahu community is certainly growing and this acquisition will help us meet the growth," Oda said.

Oda said it's premature to discuss the size of the ambulatory center or its construction date.

The seller, the Queen Emma Foundation, is the real estate arm of Queen's Health Systems. Founded in 1885, the foundation owns 10,000 acres on the Big Island, 2,000 acres in central Oahu, and 18.5 acres of prime real estate in Waikiki.