A message for Obama doubters

Barack Obama was born in Honolulu. Anyone who doubts that is an idiot, like Donald Trump.

DOUG KARR, Napili

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Kupuna thankful for Moku’ula cleaning

Na Kupuna O Maui owes a huge debt of gratitude to Mayor Alan M. Arakawa. He has been steadfast in support of Moku’ula from the beginning, first as a councilman in the 1990s and now as the chief executive of our island in 2015.

With Moku’ula overcome by weeds, dead wood and scarred earth, his latest executive action was no small feat: the cleaning of our Sacred Island.

The mayor’s respect of our Sacred Island, the ancient capital of Hawaii Nei, did not go unnoticed by our Hawaiian community and Na Kupuna O Maui.

Na Kupuna O Maui appreciate that as the leader of our people, you assumed the kuleana of protecting, preserving and resurrecting this World Heritage site.

Yes, Mayor Arakawa, Hawaiians are proud to say to the world, “This is our Sacred Site.”

Mahalo, Mayor Arakawa. Na Kupuna O Maui are proud to have you as our mayor.

Na Ka Makua Kalani E Malama ia ‘oe (let our Heavenly Father take care of you).

AUNTY PATTY NISHIYAMA, Na Kupuna O Maui

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Lahainaluna HOSA students seek donations

Students of Lahainaluna’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), also known as Future Health Professionals, are a part of the Health Services Pathway that is a line of courses that prepare students for college and a career in medicine. In joining HOSA, students participate in various community service events, leadership activities and competitive events that include knowledge exams, skills, speaking, critical thinking and research.

This past year, Lahainaluna hosted its eighth annual District Conference. Thirty-five students advanced to the State Conference, in which 29 students attended. Of those 29, 19 have qualified to the National Leadership Conference held in Anaheim, California this June 24-27.

Students who have attended this conference have said it is the greatest opportunity a high school student can experience if planning a career in the health or medical field. Not only do students compete against the best in the nation within their respective events, but students also attend professional workshops, expositions, keynote speeches, formal recognition and awards ceremonies, and get to meet and network with others around the country. Students end their seven-night and eight-day trip by enjoying their choices of relaxation and fun at places like Disneyland.

As students are also saving money for their college investments, this trip holds a huge financial weight on families. LHS HOSA is asking for your monetary assistance of any affordable mean. Donations are deposited into the LHS HOSA account and deducts the cost of the trip for the student. Costs include airfare, hotel, ground transportation, registration, workshops and activities. Any donation is appreciated.

If you choose to help through monetary assistance, please write checks to Lahainaluna HOSA and be sure a specific name is included (if representing a business), so that a thank you letter may be sent for tax write-off evidence. Checks may be sent to Lahainaluna HOSA (c/o specific student or whole group), 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761.

2015 LAHAINALUNA HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HOSA TEAM

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West Maui facility won’t be an acute care hospital

Contrary to what is said in the ongoing requests for donations by the promoters of the West Maui Hospital (WMH), the public should know that the proposed hospital cannot and will not be a life-saving acute care hospital. To prevent death from the major life-threatening conditions, heart attacks, strokes and trauma, complicated care must be given within the “golden hour” that is found only in large medical centers such as Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC). That care requires a cardiac catheterization lab, interventionist cardiologists, and heart surgeons for heart attacks; a stroke team, neurologists and interventionist radiologists for strokes; multiple surgical specialists, complicated operating rooms, operating room nurses, pre- and post-op stations, and a blood bank for trauma with an intensive care unit for all. No medical specialists, or any of this, are available on the West Side, nor are the four or five personnel needed for each position to staff it 24/7.

This is in contrast to MMMC, where heart attacks can be stopped in the cath lab, heart surgery results are outstanding, strokes are averted by blood thinners placed in the arteries in the brain, and there is a Level III trauma center with life-saving results that are above the national average. The worst thing that can happen to a critical care patient is to take them to a small hospital that cannot do the job, wasting the “golden hour” and resulting in death. “Stabilization” requires the most complicated part of the care.

The promoters stress to the public that the WMH will be a “critical ACCESS hospital,” but that only means that it is remote. But it will not be a “critical CARE hospital.” A picture of an ambulance behind a string of cars is often shown by the promoters implying that the ambulance is held up on the way to the hospital, but the emergency lights of the ambulance are not on and the photographer who took the picture told us it was staged and not on an emergency run. Thus, the picture is consciously deceiving to the public. Actually, with only one lane each way and broad shoulders that allow vehicles to swing out, there is room for ambulances on our highway from the West Side to MMMC to get there in 30-40 minutes. This is unlike H1 in Honolulu, where there are 3-4 lanes with a cement wall on each side, which does not allow cars to make room for ambulances.

That prominent citizens and politicians support the WMH means that they most likely do not understand the situation. What is telling is that there are no critical care physicians who deal with life-threatening medical conditions on the WMH boards or committees, and none support it. Urgent care and long-term care, yes; critical lifesaving care, no.

Citizens of West Maui who are concerned about their care for life-threatening medical conditions should better provide funds and support to MMMC, which can provide life-saving care and needs financial support to stay viable.

GEORGE S. LAVENSON, M.D., Kaanapali