KAPA‘A — You never really know how hot the grassy area can get unless you experience it, said Sally Motta, chair of a special project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. The blessing of the completed renovated courtyard
KAPA‘A — You never really know how hot the grassy area can get unless you experience it, said Sally Motta, chair of a special project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay.
The blessing of the completed renovated courtyard was held Thursday afternoon in the heat of the day and guests, including board members of the Hawai‘i Health System Corporation, Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Office of Economic Development Director George Costa.
Motta said the club’s 31 members showed up for four hours of work one day in April, spreading compost, digging holes and planting, and got to experience the heat firsthand.
That was part of the effort to turn the hot grassy area of the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital into a more useable area for the hospital’s patients and their families.
“Every incoming president to Rotary Club looks for a project for our club to concentrate on during their year as president,” Motta said. “Dr. Jeff Goodman chose this hospital as the recipient of a project.”
Motta said following a meeting of benefactors and Mahelona Hospital administrator Karen Davis and her staff, the goal was to transform the hot grassy courtyard. The final design had to be wheelchair friendly and had to offer shade and gathering spots for quiet moments.
“This project has been meaningful for both the patients and the staff,” she said.
Budget for the project came out to $50,000 with the Cal Stanny Trust and the Scheidel Trust helping with the cash contributions, Motta said. Elliott and Hubbard Design came up with more than one architectural plan to accommodate the needs of the hospital.
Heart and Soul Organics donated compost that was spread out over the area, and No Ka Oi Landscaping and the Kukui‘ula Development Co. provided plants and trees that were incorporated into the final project, Motta said.
“It’s always nice to see groups come in and help the community hospital,” said Jerry Walker, administrator for both the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Mahelona Hospital. “I’ve spoken with both patients and families and everyone is happy with how things turned out.”
Carvalho said the blessing — which was officiated by Kopa Kaluahine, a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay — was a celebration of the magic of partnerships.
“This is a great example of people coming together,” Carvalho said. “It warms my heart, especially in these trying times, to see these kinds of partnerships.”
Josie Pablo, the director of recreational activities at Mahelona Hospital, said from the start of the project, two residents have taken it on themselves to make sure it came together right.
“Abraham Young and Junior Cadiente have been watching the Rotarians work, and when they are not here, water the plants and make sure everything is green,” Pablo said.
“I enjoy my stay here,” Young said. “I try to help as best as I can.”
Motta said it was heartwarming to see how contributions for this project came from all over.
“This is a small island, but a big community,” Motta said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
