Letters to the Editor: 8-18-17

Kudos to Kona Community Hospital

I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to the Surgical Services Team at KCH.

On Aug. 1, I had a surgical procedure done and wanted to share my wonderful experience the staff of KCH had provided me with. I went into this procedure feeling rather scared and uncertain about what to expect. As soon as I was checked in and prepped for surgery and the nurse (Aviva) did all that is needed to prepare for such procedure, blood pressure, EKG, etc. She was very calming and made me feel at ease, since this was my first surgery. Shortly after the doctor arrived to check on my status and assure that all will go well, making a joke “we are not going to fine that you are pregnant” Haha! I thought that rather funny at the time of uneasiness going into surgery momentarily.

After the doctor left the anesthesiologist came in to ask related question, him too making me feel confident that everything will go as planned.Once in the surgery room everyone there from the nurses and doctor assistance (you know who you are?) to the doctor was so kind and comforting.

Now, it was time to be “put under sort of speak”. The procedure went without dreaming. I awoke two hours later in the recovery room, greeted by a special nurse Wendy. As embarrassing as it can be knowing I was snoring very loudly, she was breath taking to see and know that I have come out renewed with good news and smiles.

I have shared this with my wife and the amazing experience and to my surprise a day later I received a phone call (Barbara) asking about my recovery. To add to this, I received a wellness card from the surgical staff from KCH signed by all that was involved with my surgery.

I was born in this hospital and since heard horror stories from residents throughout the years living here. I just wanted everyone here on the Big Island, residents and visitor to the islands that this hospital is “top notch” and the hospital staff is what makes this hospital in my book No. 1.

I am in the hospitality industry and they truly made me feel hospitable and the care and empathy for a patient experiencing uncertainty. It comes from the heart and being genuine in what they do daily; I respect them for what they do on a daily basis, I commend them for that type of profession.

Lastly, the amazing renovation that is in progress is very well received.

Keep up the great job!

Wesley Taketa

Kealakekua

Don’t let neighbor islands get sucked into the rail disaster

Hawaii, county and state, has experienced several natural disasters over the decades. Tsunami, hurricane, earthquake, lava flow, fire, flooding, and others. Many have been devastating, such as the 1946 and 1960 tsunami, Hurricane Iniki, massive flooding on this island in the 1970s.We accept the costs associated with those natural disasters since they are totally out of our control. Thus the hundreds of millions, and even billions, of dollars of damages are acceptable.

The rail disaster is not natural, and it was/is supposed to be managed by responsible people. Those costs are within human control. Yet, the cost overruns of that single disaster probably amounts to more than the combined cost of all natural disasters in Hawaii’s history.

Now, we who live outside of Oahu, are put in a position where we may be sucked into this disaster. It has been a hole into which money has been thrown, and while the bottom has always been promised, it has never been seen. Yet, this is not a natural disaster, it is completely manmade. It is supposed to be something that responsible people in government had control over, but that cost control is clearly absent.

Think about why this has happened. Why has this been allowed to happen? Decide for yourself if you will allow yourself to be sucked into this whirlpool. If you choose not to be sucked in, you must do something now.

Albert Nakaji

Papaikou