HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0931.001 2008-2010 Aloha Everyone. My name is Lunakanawai Hauanio. I request 20 seconds of additional
time to honor those who has "chosen to live, over suicide"
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Hawaii Reporter published National Report indicating Approximately 864,950
Americans attempt suicide each year
Schofield Barracks surveyed "propensity for risk in 14 areas, to include alcohol and other
drug use, unit cohesion, suicide, financial problems, Army environment, self - perception and
relationships."
Leslie Wilcox Blog reported on PBS Hawaii, "...teen suicide. Hawaii has one of the
highest rates of teen suicide in the country."
Las Vegas Review Journey reported, a Hawaii man arrived from Hawaiian Airlines flight "walked across a
roadway Sunday and shot himself on the sidewalk in front of an entrance to Terminal 2, the airport's terminal for charter
and international flights."
KHNL & KGMB reported mother and her teenage daughter are dead - victims of an apparent double- murder
suicide in Makiki. The gunman appears to have also killed himself."
Suicides In Hawaii: 1 Every 3 Days, 130 Suicide Fatalities
Dan Galanis, epidemiologist with the Injury Prevention Program at the Department of
Health
I thank the Big Island Video News.com for publishing and informing the general public
of our Mayor Billy Kenoi who declared Sept. 5 -11 as Suicide Prevention Week with a
special proclamation from the lanai of his office on Friday, Sept. 3rd.
Mahalo Billy Boy...
_ _ -- There is a skill that my dad, Alena Kamakakama
Kaiokekoa, once told me. To be the best investigator, you must master your ability to
observe. My testimony today is my observation, and mine alone.
You, the leaders that sit on this Co s c' are the example to the success and failure
of our island community., With that, I ^ `vvi is you all my learning, that in this Country,
called America, _ - z�',�ia, , is not enough to secure a future for our kamalii, the
new generation at our front door. It is a life long commitment that we share this time and
energy together to bridge differences and mend old wounds.
My support for Resolution 388 -10, comes with an unusual twist of faith. I
attended the 2010 Healthcare Conference in Waikoloa. And a power point presentation
depicted the uses of Native - Hawaiian Health Stats used in representation that secured the
$16 million dollar Beacon Grant from the Federal Government.
A Native Alaskan Healthcare presentation described using traditional and
customary practitioners in the general healthcare system reduced 92% health statistics in
a seven y ear period. Humm, funny how the County would endorse Native - Alaskan
Ccriro i`ti�,. a 1
Ref. To: _
Ref. Date "SEP 0 y lulu
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Traditional Practitioners to show case what works in Alaska? I wondered, where is this
conference going?
Participants shared their challenges that led to the economy as a huge indicator to
the strain on our healthcare. The three CEO of Kona, Hilo and North Hawaii Hospitals
shared their inability to maintain servicing the underserved due to lack of funds.
Some practicing physicians shared their frustration with reporting, recordkeeping,
bookkeeping, liability reforms, and the other copious amount of paper work needing
reviewing on a patient, before being able to administer aid for a bee sting.
I shared an idea that out - sourcing data work and bridging fundraising events
for the hospital through the use of traditional and customary practices would possibly be
a benefit, should that be an option? The culture of Hawaii (entertainment and wellness),
are preventative care equivalent.
I continued to observe( , sat back, and ask( questions, such as "I wonder if
this is another program where the Hawaiian culture is being pimped again. I won't
believe that." It was evident as to the lack of Hawaii's Traditional and Cultural
Health/Education Wellness participation at this Conference.
lhen it hit me. This is an opening for Hawaiian Wellness Practitioners to be
a part of the general healthcare system.
Following the event, several groups and organizations are highly interested and
haVV made oral commitments to begin supporting Hawaiian Wellness Practitioners,
through La Hale Kea's initiatives. �,i
I called out to our ancestors for they have always kept us I The e Aloha
Spirit exist, its just notjrevalent as the Hawaiian Culture, yet. I see in our near future
that there shall come a time when Hawaii's people will embrace their dignity, their
prosperity, their legacy once again, called Hawaii Pono i.
As the Hawaii Tribune Herald reported "September is museum month ", I come to
ask for your support in recognizing the Month of September as the month of museums, I
ask for the approval of Res 388 -10 and the like initiatives that support Traditional and
Customary Practitioners as being an intricate part of Hawaii's Healing Our Island. I look
forward to more exposure support by our Council and Administrative Branch support of
creating Hawaii's 1s "living cultural museum." Go to WJ ' //,where we
train, certify and license "ancient traditional and customary practices of wellness."
Mahalo ��
dr,^•