By Kate Bradshaw

Molokai veterans greeted Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) with handshakes and leis during an informal town hall-style meeting Friday at the Kulana 'Oiwi conference center.

The senator, along with four other Department of Veterans' Affairs officials at local and state levels, heard the questions and concerns of Molokai veterans and others concerned with their well-being. Many veterans wore yellow shirts to show they are a part of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, a combat veterans' advocacy group on Molokai.

"It is important for me to understand the remaining challenges that we have," Akaka said at the start of the meeting.

Senator Akaka, who fought in World War II, has been an advocate for veterans since he first took office 1990, and recently became chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Among Molokai veterans' most requested improvements was more availability of telemedicine, which allows doctors to remotely consult with patients on a video screen in real time.

Telemedicine "seems appropriate," one veteran told the senator, "but the VA said it will be a year or more before it gets to Molokai."

Regional VA Director Dr. Bill Hastings responded that telemedicine has been used once on Molokai.

Other concerns included increases in funding for the Independent Living Program, an increase in mental health services, and extended VA clinic hours.

Larry Helm, Commander of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, read aloud a letter that contained several suggestions for how the VA can improve its services on Molokai. Among these were constant health care for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients, a go-to medical authority for veterans in every county, and a 10-cent surcharge on every gallon of gas that would supplement the VA budget, which he said the government is "scrambling" with. Helm said that Americans would be willing to pay the fee if it helped improve care for veterans rather than live with a system that would "use, abuse, confuse, then refuse" veterans due to budget shortfalls.

"We hope you continue medical, mental, and counseling services for Molokai veterans," Helm said, adding later that "veterans are the soul of America."

VA officials scribbled copious notes as each speaker voiced his or her concerns.

Near the meeting's close, Bo Mahoe of the Molokai Vets, presented VA clinical psychologist Dr. Kathleen McNamara, who has seen veteran patients on Molokai twice a month for years, with a lei to show appreciation for her dedication to veterans.

McNamara said that the need for expanded resources for Molokai's veterans is still "very great."

"The veterans here are very special," McNamara said, and "very involved in their own care."

Senator Akaka seemed to share this view.

"From what I've heard so far, Molokai veterans have done very well in organizing themselves," Akaka said before heading to a pa'ina put on by the Molokai Vets at the Paddlers' Inn in celebration of the senator's visit.

Akaka said he wants Hawaii to become a model for the way other states handle veterans' issues.

"Across the U.S. there are small communities like Molokai," Akaka said.

Akaka chaired a similar meeting on Lanai earlier this month. The senator also chaired one of a series of formal Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearings on VA health care Thursday on Maui.

Molokai has an estimated veteran population of more than 600, but according to Hawaii VA Network Director Dr. Robert Weibe, only a fraction of them take advantage of the benefits available to them through the Veterans' Affairs Administration. There are 345 members currently registered with Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, according to Molokai Vets Commander Larry Helm.

The Molokai VA Clinic is run by Dr. David Hafermann, who sees patients two days a week.

"I stay reasonably busy," Hafermann said.

Hafermann added that he appreciates the impact Senator Akaka's efforts have had so far.

"When you have that kind of influence and direction, it kind of stirs the bureaucracy."

http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/7828143830.asp