NMI Lt. Gov. Palacios receiving care at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu

After being medically evacuated on a military aircraft early Friday morning, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios is now in Honolulu, Hawaii for additional testing and treatment. According to his communications consultant Brad Ruszala, Palacios is undergoing additional testing and treatment at The Queens Medical Center.

“Though he is in stable condition and still experiencing pain in his lower back, Lt. Governor Palacios remains good spirits. He wishes to thank the community for the outpouring of prayers and support for him and his family,” a media release states.

According to a statement on social media from his gubernatorial campaign page on May 31,  Palacios "was in court [on Tuesday] testifying when a [pre-existing back condition] was exacerbated requiring immediate medical attention.

Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation CEO Esther Muna told the media during a Friday morning press briefing that the hospitals on Saipan and Guam could not provide the level of care Palacios needed.