Hawaii State Senator Daniel Akaka visited Molokai last Friday to take part in a town hall meeting to address the concerns of the island's military veterans.
Akaka said that he believes the first step in expanding care on Molokai is building a Veterans Center. "They've already got the land and discussions are already taking place. The veterans on Molokai have been very proactive about getting this accomplished and that is helpful to everyone at the Veterans' Affairs," he said.
Larry Helm, Commander of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MCVC) said that Molokai Ranch has donated a piece of property. He emphasized that MCVC was given this property free and clear, with no strings attached to Molokai Ranch. Earlier this year six Vietnam veterans from Molokai lobbied with Rep. Mele Carroll for a $3 million grant. They were awarded $250,000 but the governor has yet to release the funds.
That has not deterred MCVC. The group is hoping the funds will be released soon so they can use the quarter million dollars to continue with plans to use the center.
In addition to a facility on Molokai, members of the MCVC would like to see more services provided on Molokai, rather than having to travel to Maui to receive medical care.
There are 600 veterans living on Molokai. Only 200 of them have registered to receive medical care from Veterans' Affairs. Currently there is only one doctor serving the 200 veterans and is only on island two days a week.
Dr. Kathleen McNamara has been making her visits to Molokai for over 15 years. "The very first time I came here it was because the nurse had asked me to come check on a veteran who had a stroke," she said. McNamara continues to return to the island to care for the veterans of Molokai.
Yet the majority of care provided to Molokai vets by Veterans' Affairs is still only available on Maui.
Of particular concern for Molokai veterans was the fact that they must travel off island receive psychological counseling. During the meeting they were told that Veterans' Affairs globally recognizes the increase in mental health problems from recent wars. Because of this there are plans to expand the mental health team. However, no promises were made as to when counseling would be available on island.
Since Akaka's veteran's bill passed last fall, the Veterans' Affairs have received a raise in funding.
"The increase in funds allowed for a staffing increase which will help as we try to expand services," said Akaka.
He stated that although he believes much has been improved for veterans in Hawaii since the fall of 2006, there are remaining challenges. Hearing issues first hand from veterans was Akaka's main reason for visiting Molokai.
"It is so gracious of Sen. Akaka to come and listen to our island," said county Sen. Danny Mateo. "These guys have real issues that the Veterans' Affairs needs to address. The neighboring islands have been forgotten for a long time and Sen. Akaka is really trying to remedy that."
Representatives from Veterans' Affairs and the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs were also present and provided answers and resources. There were over 100 Molokai veterans present at the gathering.
"I feel strongly that after this meeting, you're going to see some differences here," said Sen. Akaka in closing.
http://www.themolokaidispatch.com/node/1085
