KOHALA BLOG: A Kohala point of view by one of its residents: Margaret Wille. In my opinion...

Saturday June 16th Community Meeting to Discuss NHCH Concerns 6-8pm at the Waimea Elem School Cafeteria

Submitted by margaretwille on Thu, 06/14/2012 - 11:23am
  COMMUNITY MEETING THIS SATURDAY JUNE 16TH  at the Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria 6 - 8 pm

Why?
Because we are concerned about the North Hawaii Community Hospital's choices and priorities:

Women's Center and Its Birthing Unit Being Dismantled  - 2/3 of current clientele refused services "overnight"

      Sleep Disorders Center closed "overnight"

            Doctors being let go "overnight" (or contract not renewed)... anesthetists, hospitalist (general hospital doctor)

               Nurses and midwife quitting because they do not want to work under these conditions

               Financial persons who questioned the accounting for the Women's Center's birthing unit let go "over night"
                (just after he moved here and  purchased a home)

[These employees are subject to gag orders -- i.e. ordered not to speak to the community -- or else!]
               
                    Key members of the Board of Directors (Sharon Vitousek and Carolyn Quick) just resigned from the Board

                         Important grant that would have benefited the Women's Center/Birthing Unit "falls through the cracks"

                              Task Force (that disagreed with Administration's hardline position) terminated "overnight"

                                Hawaiian healthcare program gets low priority administrative support
                
                                  Rooms that could be used for patient rooms, instead being used for "boutique" hospital doctor's offices
                                   -- even though there are not enough patient rooms so some must be transported to other hospitals

                                       State legislation that would immediately bring this hospital about 4 million that is now at risk --not
                                        being lobbied for aggressively

                                             NHCH's community volunteers concerned they are being underutilized
                                          .

We ask you:
-SHOULD WE STAND BY SILENTLY AND WATCH OUR BELOVED HOSPITAL BE SUBJECT TO THIS TYPE OF MANAGEMENT ?             
-AND HOW DO WE AS A COMMUNITY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - in the face of these disturbing actions?
-CAN WE CORRECT SOME OF THESE WRONGS?
-HOW DO WE SUPPORT STAFF WHO ARE SUBJECT TO GAG ORDERS  SO THAT THEY WILL STAY WHILE WE WORK OUT THIS SITUATION? 
                                      
 BRING YOUR IDEAS, QUESTIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION, TO THIS COLLABORATIVE BRAINSTORMING SESSION.
and thank you for your concern...











Members of the North Kohala Community Should Take Credit For Getting the Marines to Agree to Limited Use of Upolu

Submitted by margaretwille on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 9:03pm
As you have probably heard the Marines have agreed to delete the proposal to  use Upolu Airport for routine training exercises with the new (very loud) helicopters.  Even the commander of the Army unit here on Island said he understood why there would be opposition to use of this community airport.  See West Hawaii Today for more discussion about this revision in the military plan.

   WHT June 13, 2012, Military to limit use of Upolu
.
If you want to know why the Military revised its plan watch the video below of the exchange with North Kohala community members and the Marine representatives at the  information meeting held in Waimea last December:




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HERE IS THE VIDEO PRESENTATION: DEFINITELY WATCH THIS:


 

 

Kahilu Theater

Submitted by margaretwille on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 8:56pm
On June 12, 2012 the Board of the Kahilu Theater held a meeting with the Community to discuss its planned closing for the next season. The focus of this meeting was the current financial situation and explaining the need for this closing.  Unfortunately there was not much time for brainstorming of ideas as to how to proceed..That comes next.  The powerpoint presentation is attached below. Afterwards the Board stayed and meet with individuals and there were sign up sheets for those interested in being on one of the advisory panels to assist this community institution.  One idea I suggested is to set up a seat by seat endowment. There are 490 seats -- and each seat could be named for the person or group that  endows that seat. Likewise each gallery wing or other designated areas  could also be  separately endowed.

The point has also been made by many -- that generally this theater is viewed as being marketed for productions that appeal to only a select high end sector of the community. We need to broaden the community support base. To that end,  I  suggested that over this interim that  arrangements be made for use by the area schools --  as a teaching forum. Rather than having performers come to perform for students... students should be able to use this stage for learning -- not just for performing arts... but as a way to add performance to any subject.  This is just one way of encouraging  broader community investment.  

What are your ideas? 






Sad Situation at the North Kohala Courthouse

Submitted by margaretwille on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 8:16pm
These are photos of the  North Kohala Courthouse tile roof. The roof is leaking in one 6' x 8' area (appears that a large branch fell on the roof when a tree branch was cut down.  The white material is torn plastic that is supposed to be protecting the leaking area of the roof until repairs can be undertaken.  As you can see,  this plastic covering is no longer protecting anything. This Courthouse building is supposed to be transferred from the State Judiciary to Hawaii County for use by the Senior Citizen's Club and other community groups. However  at this time Hawaii County  does not want to accept the building because of the cost to fix the roof.  Very sad.





Transit of Venus: Thanks to Keck for Sharing This Experience with the Community

Submitted by margaretwille on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 8:13pm










Here are a few photos of the live shots.

















Waimea Trees Including Its Bonsai Display

Submitted by margaretwille on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 7:55pm

The Outdoor Circle's Waimea Nature Park is called "Ulu La'au" - a garden of trees -- which for me celebrates and aptly describes Waimea as well -- as a big garden of trees.   Well recently you may have had the opportunity to enjoy the little gardens of trees at the annual Waimea Bonsai show. If you missed it -- here are a few photos -- to encourage you to attend next year.   I am always  inspired by the beauty and grace and spirit of each of these displays.

























And HERE is a link to the Ulu La'au Nature Park
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