KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — A group of donors and community members is demanding that the North Hawaii Community Hospital's board of directors and chief executive officer resign.

The private, community-owned facility announced last week it would lay off 59 employees, or about 12 percent of its workforce, to shrink a projected $7 million budget deficit.

Joseph Schell, a part-time West Hawai'i resident who also signed the letter, says community members are concerned about how the hospital is being managed.

Board members responded to the letter with a three-paragraph statement announcing the hiring of a facilitator to talk to community members.

Tom Mitrano of O'ahu will solicit opinions from the community on how to improve matters.