• Asing’s comments Asing’s comments By James G. Trujillo In a recent article by TGI Staff Lester Chang, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Kaipo Asing is reported to have “voiced his displeasure over the lack of support by county officials and
• Asing’s comments
Asing’s comments
By James G. Trujillo
In a recent article by TGI Staff Lester Chang, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Kaipo Asing is reported to have “voiced his displeasure over the lack of support by county officials and others for the establishment of the HanaMana Healing Center.” According to the article, Chair Asing suggests that “compromises or solutions should have been found.” The banner headline suggests that Chair Asing found fault with Mayor Baptiste’s administration’s handling of the proposal.
The development of a in-patient drug treatment center for Kaua‘i residents has been envisioned for many years. The efforts of health professionals and community organizations to support such as a facility began well before Mayor Baptiste’s recent initiative to confront the harmful and negative effect of substance abuse on Kaua‘i. Mayor Baptiste should be applauded for giving this issue some well needed attention and creating a mechanism to deal with the complexities of waging a “war on drugs.” Lack of or limited action by previous administrations and councils helped to create our current crisis and Mayor Baptiste’s effort to focus resources on this island wide issue is commendable.
The failure of the HanaMana proposal could be attributed to a variety of factors, some mentioned in the article and some not. As explained by Diane Zachary of KPAA and Dely Sasaki of the DOH, HanaMana program developers did not sufficiently respond to suggestions from professionals, county officials and community members to present a comprehensive program plan. Concerns regarding the HanaMana proposal surfaced on multiple fronts. Drug treatment specialists and NIMBY neighbors both raised red flags about the proposal and their concerns were not adequately addressed. Finger pointing and placing the blame on others is easy to do after the fact. Chair Asing’s perception that the HanaMana proposal did not receive adequate support is accurate but perhaps misdirected. From members of the County Planning Commission, the Mayor’s Drug Action Team and the Kapahi Homesteads Community Association people had difficulties supporting the proposal for various reasons. Chair Asing may wish to reflect and ask whether his support for the facility was expressed and heard through the community channels. Perhaps Mayor Baptiste and Anti Drug Coordinator Roy Nishida wish they could turn back the clock and do things differently in support of the HanaMana proposal. What would Chair Asing do differently to support the HanaMana program proposal? I am confident that the HanaMana program developers would choose an alternate path for a successful outcome if given the chance.
Fortunately for Kaua‘i another opportunity to support a substance abuse treatment center is likely. Government officials, dedicated professionals and community members are committed to bringing this type of service to the people of Kaua‘i. The supportive roles that government, public health service agencies and community play will determine whether or not we are successful the next time around.
Perhaps we have learned from the HanaMana experience and can find the necessary support for developing a full service in-patient treatment center for our island.
James G. Trujillo is a resident of Kapa‘a
