Inside the August 12, 2004 issue:
Kahuku Hospital must affiliate with a larger organization; HRI to replace 12-inch water line; Lä'ie kupuna welcome Iosepa home; Kaleo to list fundraising activities; Kahuku High haps: A farewell to summer; It's the big Kahuku vs. Skyline game again; Ko'olauloa Community Calendar.
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Dramatically changing market conditions and industry dynamics are forcing Kahuku Hospital to pursue an affiliation with a major healthcare provider…or else.
"The era of small and midsize stand-alone hospitals in Hawai'i is disappearing and the hospital provider model is moving toward extensive consolidation as increased financial challenges push through the islands and the overall healthcare market place," said R. Don Olden, Kahuku Hospital's chief executive officer. "As an example, the local insurance industry has already gone through consolidation with just a few major insurers now surviving."
Olden explained financial and operational challenges — such as excessive malpractice insurance, rising pharmaceutical costs, the need for improved technology and information systems, increased government regulatory burdens, nursing shortages and salary escalations, plus healthcare insurance payment constraints from HMSA, Medicare and Medicaid — are driving the move to consolidation.
"These issues are not new, but they are increasing," he said. "Hospitals throughout the U.S. have been faced with a need to merge into larger systems to achieve economies of scale for financial survival. In Hawai'i all major insurers base their reimbursement practices on large healthcare provider models that normally exhibit such substantially improved economies of scale."
Olden also explained the healthcare provider system in Hawai'i is consolidating toward five key entities: Queen's Healthcare System, Hawai'i Pacific Health, Kaiser Permanente, strategically positioned larger hospitals such as Castle and Kuakini, and the 12-facility State Hospital System.
"Actually, Castle is part of Adventist West, a large system on the mainland, and is not truly an independent hospital," Olden said. "Hawai'i Pacific Health, which has pursued a consolidation strategy, now includes Kapi'olani Women and Children, Pali Momi, Wilcox, Straub, and the potential merger with St. Francis Medical Center and St. Francis West.
"Queen's Healthcare System is a mega-hospital that emulates a relatively large system. Kaiser Permanente provides care to over 200,000 members with one hospital on O'ahu. The state system has 12 facilities including smaller and usually rural hospitals and nursing facilities, primarily on the neighbor islands, that are centrally managed and supported through state tax funding," Olden continued.
"Even though these five systems are large, most have been seriously challenged financially over the past decade.
"There are six small Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) in Hawai'i, but Kahuku is the only free-standing unaffiliated one in the state. Four of the CAHs are part of the state hospital system and the fifth, Moloka'i, is affiliated with Queen's Healthcare System," Olden said.
"The four state-affiliated hospitals receive support through Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation that manages the 12 state hospitals, and Moloka'i receives support from Queen's Healthcare System and state funding. The support to the five affiliated hospitals includes financial and other managerial systems that improve their relative economies of scale."
Olden noted that Kahuku Hospital has received financial funding from the state and from private donors, "but the private donor funding is no longer available and the state funding is inadequate to sustain the business model that Kahuku Hospital has provided to the community for the last decade.
"Also, as an independent stand-alone hospital, Kahuku has not received any management services from a larger healthcare system, such as information systems, materials management, consolidated business office operations, or others.
"This ongoing inability to achieve a more efficient economy of scale has inhibited Kahuku Hospital's ability to expand or create a self-funding financial situation."
Consequently, the hospital's board of directors has determined Kahuku must affiliate with a major healthcare pro-vider. "Because our needs are great, however, the challenge of finding an affiliation partner is also more difficult," Olden said, pointing out that the board's initial discussions with Queen's Healthcare System, Hawai'i Pacific Health and Castle Medical Center were discouraging.
"However, preliminary discussions are still continuing with other systems. It is too early to estimate the potential for success of these discussions, but to continue survive financially, Kahuku Hospital must affiliate with a larger organization."
Olden said the discussions "will be concluded by the end of December."
Hawai'i Reserves, Inc. (HRI) plans to replace the existing water line running along Kamehameha Hwy. between Kahawainui stream bridge and Pounder's beach bridge with a new $2.7 million 12-inch main on the makai side of the road.
"We're replacing the old, existing water line to provide improved reliability and enhance the quality of service," said Jeffrey Tyau, HRI Director of Engineering and Utilities. "The project also includes installing additional new fire hydrants along the route.
"The project is scheduled to start later this month or in early September and should take as long as nine months to complete."
Tyau explained the water line project will use directional boring technology, similar to the new sewer project currently being installed throughout most of Lä'ie, which minimizes the need for trenching.
"Wherever possible, we will drill, which will significantly lessen the impact on traffic and going in and out of driveways; but we will have to do some trenching, and there will be some effects on traffic and service in the affected areas," said Tyau.
"For example, some driveways may be blocked for a half-day while the contractor pulls in the new water main," he continued, "and though we've worked hard to minimize the impact, there might be planned and unplanned outages of water service.
"Of course, we'll notify any affected homeowners of the planned outages, and HPD officers will be on hand to direct traffic, when necessary," Tyau added.
"In the meantime, we encourage everybody using the highway during the construction project to be careful.
"There will be a lot of construction workers, equipment and activity, so we all need to be cautious and safe."
Lä'ie sewer project update
Tyau reported work on extending the sewer collection system throughout most of Lä'ie is also progressing well.
"We've already install-ed about 120 of the projected approximately 450 pumps along the makai sections of Moana, Iosepa and Palekana Streets. In other words, we've already completed about 25% of the project, including those who previously had sewer service, and we're now working toward the non-sewered parts of Lä'ie.
"All of the homes where the new pumps have been installed are now connected and operational," Tyau said, reminding homeowners that as soon as the new pumps are installed, they will start to be billed monthly sewer fees which will convert to City and County of Honolulu service fees as soon as the City assumes responsibility for operating the new sewer system. "Under an agreement with the City, HRI will continue to do the actual billing in this area," he added.
"We should be finished with everything mauka of Kamehameha Hwy. by the end of the year," Tyau said, "but work along the highway has been somewhat delayed while we wait for all the appropriate permits. If anyone has questions, please contact us at 293-9201."
Hale La'a Blvd. update
"We're all excited about the progress on the Hale La'a Blvd. project," said HRI President & CEO R. Eric Beaver. "The other day, during the Lä'ie Days parade, when we turned onto the section closest to the temple it was just so special to see the new walls and palm trees. It's going to be beautiful when it's done."
Tyau explained the project is on schedule to be completed in October or November of this year, and that most construction work is presently taking place near the large traffic circle by Lä'ie Elementary and the enclosed garden that is being built just mauka of what is popularly called Temple beach.
"When school starts, that circle may still be closed to vehicle traffic," Tyau said, "but will be open to pedestrians crossing from Kulanui Street. The intersection at Iosepa Street and Hale La'a is also open now, so parents dropping their children off at school should consider using the pull-out lane on Iosepa.
"As soon as we're able to open the circle to traffic, we will, but it may not be until sometime after school starts," Tyau said, adding that the existing foot and vehicle accesses to the campus have been included in the new six-foot blue wall that now lines the length of Hale La'a Blvd. from the highway to the Temple.
Tyau also pointed out that plans for the enclosed garden call for a five-foot-wide public beach access on the Kahuku side, "but it's a little narrower than that at the moment because of the construction work."
Albert Kanahele, HRI Director of Planning and Property Development, explained that "all of the new palm trees have been planted, and we're continuing to install different varieties of trees both on the boulevard and at the garden.
"We're relocating some of these trees from our own property while purchasing others from our landscape architect or plant suppliers," he continued. "Otherwise, we won't start doing any of the other plant landscaping until September, subject to construction schedules."
Kanahele also said that the Temple administration is doing its own landscape planning, "but it will tie into the overall plans for Hale La'a Blvd. I know they plan to replace some of their current palm trees from our nursery."
Hale La'a means "temple" or "sacred house" in Hawaiian.
Word quickly passed through the community of Lä'ie on July 23rd that Iosepa — the BYU-Hawai'i voyaging canoe — had returned to Hukilau Bay after spending a little over two months on its maiden voyage to undergo training at Kawaihae on the Big Island.
By about 11 a.m., with seashell trumpets blowing continuously, kupuna, family, friends, university officials and a hastily assembled crowd lined the water's edge and watched the crew swim ashore together. As they do everything on the canoe, the crew came out of the water together, holding hands.
William K. "Uncle Bill" Wallace III, head of the BYUH Hawaiian Studies program and captain in training of the Iosepa, and Chadd Paishon — captain of the Makali'i voyaging canoe, who has been training the Iosepa hands along with members of their organization, Nä Kälai Wa'a Moku o Hawai'i — moved forward to greet the kupuna, including Aunties Gladys Pualoa Ahuna, Kela Miller, Dawn Wasson and Uncle Ahi Roland Logan.
It was definitely a chicken-skin moment, as they exchanged traditional honi [kisses], chants and hugs before everybody joined in greeting the returning crew.
Later, Wallace explained the Iosepa had stopped over on Moloka'i, where he was raised, and intended to stay longer; but he felt the canoe should return earlier than planned because of an approaching weather front.
At an LDS "fireside" meeting the following Sunday evening, July 25th, several crewmembers and others shared their mana'o [inner feelings] about the experience. "Sir" William K. Wallace IV, a BYU-Hawai'i graduate and son of "Uncle Bill" Wallace spoke of the connection he felt with his Hawaiian and Sämoan ancestors who moved to Iosepa, Utah, in the late 1880s, from which the canoe's name derives.
He also said, "On the canoe we had 14 or 15 who brought the Iosepa back from Moloka'i, but it felt there were hundreds who were there besides us, carrying us along, bringing us along."
Ka'umealani Walk, a Hawaiian Studies instructor whose husband and two sons are also Iosepa crewmembers, said, "We truly felt your aloha while we were out there. We never felt that we were in danger."
Kawika Eskaran, co-master carver who helped create Iosepa along with Tuione Pulotu and a watch captain during the training voyage, expressed his gratitude for Uncle Bill Wallace: "None of us are sailors, not a one. Uncle Bill took on responsibilities that I myself didn't want to accept in the early stages of the project. Uncle Bill stepped up and he performed beautifully."
Eskaran also praised the unity of the crew. "I can truly say that I would sail with them anyplace. We trust ourselves to the point now where we're willing to put our lives in one another's hands."
BYU-Hawai'i President Eric B. Shumway — who had the opportunity on June 24th to crew on Iosepa along with other members of the President's Council and Ira A. Fulton, sole funding sponsor for Iosepa's maiden voyage — acknowledged that "a great deal of confidence was put on this group. There has been tremendous discussion, all the way up to the highest levels of the Church, about this voyage."
"The Iosepa is more than simply a voyaging canoe. From the very beginning," he continued, "this whole process has been a sacred and spiritual journey. Iosepa represents the very, very best of what Lä'ie means, and what BYU-Hawai'i, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Temple mean."
"It means inclusion," he said. "Even though it's part of the Hawaiian Studies program, it was never exclusively Hawaiian. It was inclusively all of Polynesia, the Church, Lä'ie, and the aloha spirit so well represented by our Hawaiian people here in Lä'ie that was embraced by and infused into every person who touched this project in any way."
"Iosepa represents oneness. What a tremendous symbol that is for this community. We must allow our imagination and our hearts to see this larger picture that Iosepa represents."
After reading the names of the crew and "voyaging 'ohana" [family], Uncle Bill Wallace paid tribute to all of them. "You're all some of the most wonderful people I've ever met and had the chance to work with in my life."
At one point, Wallace held up a picture montage of his ancestors at Iosepa in Utah and explained how it "allowed me to hear the voice of my grandfather when we were building the canoe…where he said the name of that canoe is to be Iosepa."
"Our ancestors are always with us. They're there to help us," Wallace said. "These are the people from whom we receive all of the great benefits. We're the beneficiaries of their faith."
Wallace also indicated "this is just the beginning" of the saga of the Iosepa.
By Susan Kunz
Fundraising. (Was that a groan?) It's a way of life for many of us. Family, school, sports, dance, music, clubs — we all need to make money to pay for uniforms, books, fans, travel, fees. Somebody somewhere is going to sell something someway.
Fundraising affects us all. If you aren't actually going door to door, you're probably the person behind the door listening to a young, perspiring face asking you to buy a ticket for a car wash/plate lunch/sweetbread/cookies so that the young face can have/go uniforms/classroom needs/trip/family reunion. Do you say yes? How many have come to your door today? This week? This month?
Well, fundraisers, here's hope. This column is dedicated to you. Here we'll list your fundraiser — when, where, what, why, who to contact and we may even highlight your group. You can get the word out through the only newspaper that is read front to back by everyone — Kaleo.
And hey, we're offering something for everyone. Are you tired of giving money at your front door? You'll have contact information at your fingertips so that you can donate right to the group or buy those tickets/goods right from the source.
Fundraising works because we live in such generous communities. Continue to give because you make so many things possible for so many people — especially our youth. With that thought here are a couple of very worthy causes that you can help:
North Shore Select Basketball would like to sincerely thank the community for your support of our fundraising efforts in May, June and July. Thank you for bringing your cars to be washed, for buying our plate lunches and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Every one of our boys was able to go, thanks to your support.
Submit information on the fundraiser for your group, family or organization to Susan Kunz at 293-2629 or email saiminpixie@pixiehawaii.com.
By Amanda Baize ~ Kahuku High Correspondent
Autumn is in the air as the leaves begin to change colors and fall to the ground, and the wind is starting to get cold enough to wear a coat again. Just kidding, but fall is on its way and students are already starting to feel the last weeks of summer slip away.
For the seniors this summer will be their last one in high school. For some that meant staying in the islands to work and hang out with friends. For others summer meant family trips, weddings, reunions, summer camps, and national competitions.
Let's take a little trip of our own to find out how some seniors made this summer a memorable one:
Senior Lorna Kekua was happy to spend her summer working, being with friends, and spending time with her family. She comments, "I really enjoyed meeting new people and work (McDonald's), and spending time with my sister who is visiting from Oregon for the summer."
For Kekua, summer in Hawai'i was exactly what she wanted and needed after a rigorous junior year.
Ku'ulei Akina also spent her summer in Hawai'i, and got to take part in a family affair. She spent July 1-8th at the University of Hawai'i helping out with CheerHawai'i USA, a summer cheerleading camp in which juniors and seniors from high schools all across the nation come to learn routines from college and university choreographers.
Akina did her part by making a video documentary of the week-long camp. She spent the week with the girls and turned their adventures into an hour-long video of memories. I was lucky enough to watch the video and see all the hard work that went into its production.
"I really enjoyed producing and editing the video, and helping out with the camp. I made a lot of friends with the girls at the camp, and look forward to maybe doing this again next year," said Akina.
Kahuku High's Zynfia Sakulsingduhsit represented Hawai'i in the CheerHawaii USA cheerleading camp.
For senior Kirstin Marler the most memorable part of her summer has been the time she spent in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the National Debate Tournament. The tournament ran from June 13-19th, and was attended by qualifying debaters from all 50 states. Marler participates in varsity policy debate and her partner at nationals was senior Timbre Keli'iliki.
"On the first day of the tournament I was really scared, because there were so many highly qualified debaters, but once we got into our first round I had a lot of fun," Marler said.
When asked about the most memorable part of her trip, she replied, "My favorite part of the tournament was the award ceremony which was held in the Tabernacle in Temple Square. It was so much fun to see who received what awards and it was a perfect end to a great learning experience."
Jon Orme had an opportunity to visit several states this summer and also take part in his sister's marriage on Aug. 6th in the LDS Hawai'i Temple. For Orme the best part of his summer was that he got to spend it with his family. His favorite place was Sequoia National Park in California.
As for me, I spent the most memorable part of my summer in Michigan, where I was able to take part in two family reunions. I met cousins that I had never had the chance to meet before and spent time with my aunts, uncles, and especially my grandparents.
I was even able to be in two places at once this summer as I straddled the border between Michigan and Canada.
My favorite part of our family road trip was the time we spent in Makinac Island, which is in Lake Michigan. It is a picturesque place where no cars are allowed, so everyone travels by either horse and carriage or bicycles. It was like the city got caught Somewhere in Time. When the trip finally came to an end I knew the new school year was just around the corner.
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer, as I am, and I look forward to continuing my writing in the upcoming school year.
Aloha!
By the time you're reading this, the Kahuku High varsity football team may already be in Utah, preparing for the game against Skyline High of Salt Lake City on Aug. 21st in Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah. They're schedule to leave Thursday night and arrive there on Friday, Aug. 13th.
Kahuku started the series of games against Skyline in Utah in 2000. After leading much of the game, they lost following a fourth quarter fumble and a last-second fourth-and-inches goal by Skyline. In 2002 the Red Raiders showed who's the boss on their home field. This year's the rubber match.
Before the game, however, there are a number of other activities involving the players and the numerous Kahuku alumni and fans who now live in Utah.
"Everybody up here is excited and ready to help," said Red Raider for life Benjamin Au Jr., a 1969 graduate originally from Lä'ie who has been living in Utah for about 25 years. Au owns his own engineering firm that works with aircraft simulator hardware and software.
Au, who started for the Kahuku varsity line for three years, and a committee of Kahuku Alumni Association Utah Chapter members have been working hard help feed the team and make them feel welcome in Utah. "Preparations look pretty good. We've raised enough funds to feed the boys, and we've got every meal planned," he said, crediting the other committee members:
Loa Afemata, Chad Salanoa, Barry and Elaine Beatty, Larry and Pat Leong, Neal and Belinda Hanohano, Michael Tejada, Wayne and Masa Fonoimoana, Christmas and Chanel Tuia'ana, Gabe Tau'a, Richard Tollefsen, Willie and Winona Lolofie, Lofi Solipö, Tasi and Lori Malufau, and Keith Ava.
"We're a lot more prepared this year, because we've put together an alumni group. We've got a lot of strong alumni here who've put in hundreds of hours preparing. In the meantime, we're having fun doing it," Au continued.
"We've got families assigned to prepare the food, and basically got everything covered from when they land until they leave. We've also got the lü'au planned and the entertainment coordinated with the PCC promo team, which is also doing the half-time show."
The big lü'au will be held at Skyline High (north of the football field) on Aug. 19th, with food served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. — at $20 per ticket — followed by the entertainment, which is open to the public. "We're hoping to get anywhere from 900-1,200 people at the lü'au," Au said.
On the day of the game, Kahuku alumni are invited to a potluck tailgate party in the parking lot east of the stadium from noon until kickoff. The alumni association will have some grills set up for those who want to barbecue.
When it comes to the game, Au said it should be a good one. "I think it will be competitive," he said. "Skyline is the type of team that doesn't give up. They compete together well, but Kahuku probably has more natural talent."
Au, who saw the first game in Utah, said that one was "close all the way through. Kahuku came from behind and took the lead in the second half. Actually, I thought we had the game sealed — when Skyline recovered a fumble. A couple of plays later, Skyline scored a touchdown with little time left in the game. Both teams played well."
Au added, "Skyline is like St. Louis over here. It's been four years since they won a state championship, but before that they won five in a row, and they always place high. If you compared them to a college team, they play like Air Force. They run the same type of offense and are very disciplined. They play hard and have a lot of speed."
Others who have helped prepare for hosting the Kahuku team include Jesse Riddle and family, Sonny and Leila Moa, Oli Fiso Tuiä and family, Phillip and Trudy Thompson Taula and family, Sina and Helaman Su'esu'e, Mele and Saral Rimal, James Aiono, Ron and Lopeti Aiolupe, Pani and Naomi Ioelu, Andy Moea'i and family, Timmy and Gil Thompson, Faith Thompson Äkö, Leonora and Josephine Leong, Nasen Coleman, Steven and Ruth Stone, Sissy Tuatonga and family, the Kamae and Ah Quinn 'ohana, Verla Pualoa Moore, Ellen Gay Dela Rosa, Moa Mahe, the parents of the players, and the following businesses and organizations in Hawai'i:
The Polynesian Cultural Center promo team, the BYU-Hawai'i Alumni Association, and Ko'olauloa Educational Alliance Corporation (Kahuku.org); Made In Laie and Hukilau Café in Lä'ie; and Hawaii Union Builders Foundation and Pacific Administrators, Inc. in Honolulu.
As well as the following in Utah: Ka Lama Mohala, Suehiro Restaurant and Future Design & Engineering Corporation, in Sandy; Sweet's Restaurant and La Ranchera Market, Provo; Xango Corporation, Draper; Skyline Athletic Department & Skyline Booster Club, Salt Lake City; Mechanical Design & Service, Inc., Kaysville;
Genpak Corporation, Cedar City; and Bryson's Bakery, American Fork.
[Kaleo's Utah correspondents, Bob and Sylvia Olsen, will cover the game.]
Kaleo lists a limited number of activities and encourages readers to re-verify details. To submit items, call 754-4304, or e-mail: foleym002@hawaii.rr.com by the Kaleo deadline before the event.
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Composed, edited
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