HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0235.001 2008-2010
l~ ISt 1o6 Kamehameha Avenue
Hawal`1 Island Hilo, Aawai'i 96720
Z Phone: (8o8) 935-7178
c Chamber of Commerce Fax: (8o8) 961-4435
AMBER OR CO M1i MER E-mail: admin@hice.biz
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April 3, 2009
J Yoshimoto
2008-09 Board County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St.
President Hilo HI 96720
Barbara A. Hastings
President-Elect Dear Mr. Yoshimoto and other respected Councilpersons,
Mary Begier
I am Mary Begier, current chairperson of the Government Affairs Committee of the
Vice President Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. We represent over 365 companies and 700
Mike Gleason members. I come here today to speak in STRONG SUPPORT of the request for
Treasurer financial support towards the Rural Family Practice Residency Program.
Jon Miyata
It is no secret to any of you how much we need to attract more physicians to our
Past President community. Allow me to share a personal story. In February 2008 I was attacked by a
Robert Williams dog resulting in serious injuries to my leg and arm. The surgeon who so expertly put
me back together with over 100 stitches is living in Hawaii and practicing here because
his wife is a professor at the UH Hilo. I'd like to think if she had not taken the UHH
Directors position and brought her very well educated surgeon spouse with her that the hospital
Howard Ainsley would have had another equally capable surgeon available but it does give me shivers
Vaughn Cook to wonder what if? What if not? Would my healing have been as quick, my scarring
Charles Ensey more severe? Would I have been medivaced?
Stan Fortuna. Jr. In my profession as a Realtor@ I show property to many young doctors considering a
Judith Fox-Goldstein job here. It is frequently their spouses' inability to understand our culture and housing
Gary Fujihara or lack thereof that keeps them from taking a position here. We have to get ahead of
Jan Higashi the curve. We need to train physicians and nurse practitioners here, enabling them to
grow into our culture and come to love our community like we all do so they will want
Randy Kurohara to stay in our environment and provide us the quality of health care our residents all
warren Lee need and deserve.
Barry Mizuno
here Nagao We realize that every dollar is being stretched in many directions. Our own budgets
are being tugged on as well however, we have given to the campaign to raise funds for
Robes Charles Porter this program and ask that as the leaders of our community the County of Hawaii do the
Marcia Sakai same.
Alice Sledge
Mele Spencer Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Art Taniguchi
Sincerely,
Steve Ueda
Jere Usui ~pp~
Carol VanCamp
Mary Begier
Comm. NO. 3 S.
Ref. Tot
Ref. Date APR 0 8 2009