Over the past nearly four years, nature has provided opportunities for all of us to not only appreciate its power and magnificence but, more importantly, to come to appreciate how powerful we are as an island community.
Whether it was the impact of Tropical Storm Iselle and the June 27th lava flow in 2014, an outbreak of dengue fever in 2015, or the current eruption and accompanying earthquakes and air-quality hazards, time and time again the resilience and strength of community has risen above all else and demonstrated what can be accomplished through unity, collaboration and compassion for our neighbors.
This could not be more evident than the tremendous outpouring of support and assistance with the construction of 20 micro-structure shelters in Pahoa on June 9. In just a matter of hours, more than 200 volunteers combined their talents, strengths and energy to erect 20 structures of hope and relief.
With the current loss of more than 700 homes, and major damage to and isolation of others, these shelters will provide temporary relief and safe, secure, private and reasonably comfortable accommodations for disaster survivors. Many of these individuals and families are currently taking refuge in emergency shelters, tents and even in their cars. This is only the beginning of the rebuilding of a community and the mending of their lives.
Reflecting on how this project grew from concepts originated and proposed by members of the community, and then propagated through partnerships, collaboration and the generous contributions of countless individuals and organizations, it is clear that as a community we can overcome and turn things around — “Community Strong.”
Yet another example of the power of a community is the ongoing efforts of the Community First nonprofit organization led by Big Island businessman and champion Barry Taniguchi. Through his leadership and selfless dedication to making our island home a better place, he has assembled a team of community members and various stakeholder organizations to tackle the many and complex challenges of access to quality affordable health care.
For myself, what started out as an initiative to reduce the significant financial losses of our local medical center and the overall health-care system has evolved into a pursuit of ensuring a very basic quality of life that everyone should enjoy. Through this process of sharing and collaboration, it has become very clear that for many of our community members it is their nonmedical needs or social determinants that have led to very complex and comprehensive care issues.
Transportation, or a lack thereof, homelessness, adequate nutrition and hygiene, and the difficulties of navigating the complex health-care and social-service systems are just a few examples of the nonmedical hurdles that so many face each and every day.
Through the Community Action Network, a subcommittee of Community First, organizations, like Hilo Medical Center, Bay Clinic, East Hawaii Independent Physicians, Hawaii Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Bureau, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Hawaii County’s Office of Aging, County Elderly Activities, State Public Health Nursing, HOPE Services Hawaii, Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Hawaii Care Choices, Hawaii Medical Service Association, UHA Health Insurance, Mass Transit Agency, and others, are actively engaged in coordinating medical and social services.
A system that is in need of fixing is being fixed. Gaps are being closed. Needs are being identified, and resources are being coordinated to best meet those needs. At the core of these efforts is the understanding and acknowledgment that every community is different, and effective sustainable solutions will come from the community. “Community Strong.”
Although progress is being made, it never seems to be fast enough.
As we continue on this marathon to shift, shape, direct and redirect energy and resources to help build centers of excellence in health care and strive to provide a fundamental quality of life for everyone in our community, I would ask that as individuals we take ownership and responsibility of our health and health care and consider what we can do to help others take control and ownership of theirs.
Just as those 20 micro-structures in Pahoa will provide some with an opportunity to rebuild and mend their lives, there may be small things each of us can do for a family member, friend or neighbor that will provide them with the opportunity to improve their overall health and well-being and enjoy a quality of life that is easily and often taken for granted.
As a community we demonstrated we can do great things and make a difference. “Community Strong — Community First.”
Darryl Oliveira, safety and internal control manager at HPM, has a long history of serving the Hawaii Island community as Hawaii County fire chief and Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. He is the co-chair of the Community Action Network.
This column was prepared by Community First, a nonprofit established to help the community respond to the health-care cost crisis and support initiatives that change health care from just treating disease to caring for health.