When I turned on the television on Sept. 15 for the evening news and was informed that the Amfac sugar plantation was closing its operations, affecting at least 420 families, I was greatly saddened for the families and their children.
When I turned on the television on Sept. 15 for the evening news and was
informed that the Amfac sugar plantation was closing its operations, affecting
at least 420 families, I was greatly saddened for the families and their
children. I can only begin to imagine what’s going on in the minds of the
fathers and mothers as they deal with the news, as my dad, who was the only
breadwinner, was terminated from the plantation in years past because of what
Amfac is going through and doing at this time. I didn’t realize at that time,
because he hid it from me as best he could along with mom, all the questions
that a father asks: “How am I going to feed my family?” “How do we make all the
financial payments?” “What happens if our children get sick?” All of the what
ifs, how, where can I find another job and what will I do? All of the fears of
being a good father.
I look back now and it wasn’t easy. There’s a deep
sense of feeling by myself for all the families who are affected. I can feel
tears welling up in my eyes as I sit in prayer.
I have confidence that the
state, under Governor Cayetano, our county under Mayor Kusaka, our state
senators (Chun and Chumbley) and our state representatives (Morita, Kanoho and
Kawakami) and our County Council will take action for our families and the
families of Kaua’i.
What about the children and young persons? How does
news like this affect their family, affect their schooling and them? What can
the schools do to provide positive support and understanding for them? What can
we as a community do to support the children and their families? What will I do
as one individual?
I will begin by turning to our Lord in prayer daily for
all the families and their children, and ask my wife, son and our church to
join me.
I will also begin by writing this letter of appeal to our
governor, our mayor, our state senators and our state representatives, and our
council for action to minimize the trauma of being unemployed. This is a
community problem affecting our brothers and sisters. Would you join me in
prayer and appeal for action by our officials? Can we reach out to the families
when we see a need?
Our beloved Mother Theresa once said, “We can do no
great things, only small things with great love.” May her words be our
guide.
SHERWOOD HARA
