A posting on Rush Limbaugh's website says the popular conservative radio talk show host is resting comfortably after being admitted to a Honolulu hospital with chest pains.
"Rush was admitted to a Honolulu hospital today and is resting comfortably after suffering chest pains," the posting read. "Rush appreciates your prayers and well wishes. He will keep you posted via RushLimbaugh.com and on Thursday's radio program."
KHON2 has confirmed from multiple sources that Limbaugh, 58, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center from the Kahala Hotel and Resort just after 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Sources say Limbaugh was complaining of chest pains and was taken to the hospital via a city ambulance.
Hotel security took several steps not to reveal Limbaugh's condition, which included disabling guest elevators so he would not be seen leaving the Kahala on a stretcher.
Honolulu's Emergency Services Department confirmed a male fitting Limbaugh's description was taken from the hotel in serious condition.
As an avid golfer Limbaugh travels to Hawaii frequently and earlier this week was seen in Kona on the Big Island and at the Waialae Country Club on Oahu.
A source familiar with the talk show host's travel plans says Limbaugh left for Hawaii on December 23 and was scheduled to return to work on January 4 after the New Year's holiday.
Limbaugh has been President Barack Obama's constant nemesis and one of his most vocal critics.
Only days before Obama came into office Limbaugh caused controversy among liberal circles when he told listeners he hoped the new president would fail.
"Look,what he's talking about is the absorption of as much of the privatesector by the US government as possible, from the banking business, tothe mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care," Limbaugh said on his January 16 broadcast. "I hope he fails."
In turn, the Obama administration has tried to diminish Limbaugh's standing within the republican party.
Shortly after his inauguration President Barack Obama told republicans they should stop listening to Limbaugh if they wanted to foster a spirit of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.
"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," the President told top GOP leaders, during a meeting to discuss a nearly $1 trillion economic stimulus package.
In March, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs described the popular radiocommentator as "a national spokesperson for conservative views and manyin the Republican Party.
Gibbs' comment was part of aconcerted effort to portray Capitol Hill republicans who agreed withLimbaugh's opposition to the president's policies as extreme partisans.
"The importance about (Limbaugh) and the difference about his approach is that he has people doing research and they record things," said Sam Slom, one of two republicans in the Hawaii state senate. "You get to hear the actual inane statements that are made politically."
Limbaugh, who's radio show is syndicated across the country, boasts a listening audience of more than 20 million people every week.
