Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The team from Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health, with offices in Hilo and Waimea, came to Hoʻokupu No Hula O Kaʻū last Saturday to reach out for homes for foster children. Photo by Julia Neal

FOSTER PARENTS ARE SOUGHT FOR CHILDREN IN KAʻŪ, according to representatives of Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health who brought their message to the community at last Saturday's Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Celebration at Pāhala Community Center.
     Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health provides Transitional Family Homes through a voluntary out-of-home placement program for children and youth with mental health and behavioral health challenges. The youth receives comprehensive support services to make positive changes in their lives and to be reunified with their parents.
     According to its representatives, Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health embraces the philosophy of E Hānai i Nā Keiki, to lovingly nurture a child emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually. Its

Hawaiʻi Behavioral health is looking for families in Kaʻū to take in youth in need. Photo from Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health

website notes that "Hawaiʻi has long practiced this method of raising children, which removed the stigma associated with the words 'foster child.' A hānai child is any child who is intentionally and lovingly cared for and nurtured as their own by extended (calabash) family members."
     The children are cared for by trained and licensed foster parents, therapists, and Family Support Specialists, who work to provide children a stable environment, including individual and family therapy.
     Families hosting the children are provided with an opportunity to make a monthly stipend of up to $1,800; an enrichment allowance to help each child explore an interest; bi-weekly group and individual consultation; ongoing communication and support for smooth transition; pre‑acceptance interviews with youth being considered for the home; an assigned therapist and other clinical staff to assist with problem-solving for youth; free 24 hours of pre‑service training specific to youth and families; extensive training and 24/7 on‑call support from a team of professionals, and respite care.

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FUNDRAISERS FOR YOUTH dominated the food offerings at last weekend's Hoʻokupu No Hula O Kaʻū. Kaʻū High School Culinary Club raised money for a second trip to Japan. Other booths raised funds for student travel and scholarships. The offerings were multicultural, ranging from pork and sweet potato wontons to sweet Hawaiian kulolo dessert dishes. See photos below.

Kaʻū High's Culinary Club raised money to go to Japan to study cooking. Photo by Julia Neal

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CARDIAC HEALTH SERVICES FOR HAWAIʻI ISLAND continue to expand at HiloMedicalCenter, the sister to Kaʻū Hospital. Hilo Medical Center will seek $4 million for a second catheterization lab from the Hawaiʻi Legislature next session, according to hospital spokeswoman Elena Cabatu.

     Hilo Medical Center has one full panel of cardiologists, including its first interventional cardiologist, Dr. Carl Juneau, hired in January. Last year, Hilo could perform diagnostic catheterizations, to see if patients needed to be sent to Oʻahu, and give medication to break up blood clots. Now, the hospital can stop a heart attack in progress by performing interventional catheterizations and maintain blood flow by inserting stents.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou sold shave ice and raised money for Kaʻū youth scholarships. Photo by Julia Neal

     The hospital also treats chronic heart disease, taking care of those with high blood pressure or those who need cholesterol management or help with other types of chronic issues that can lead to heart disease. Cabatu said the focus of the staff is to help prevent heart attacks and give a greater shot of survival and good quality of life.

     The cardiology team also includes Dr. Jamison Wyatt, Dr. James Smith, Dr. T.J. Sawyer, and nurse practitioner Terri Vrooman.

     From Jan. 8 to Oct. 16, 286 heart catheterizations were performed, 43 heart attacks treated, and more than 6,000 Cardiology Clinic patients were seen. Cabatu said the hospital expects those numbers to quickly expand with a fully staffed cardiology unit.

     Cabatu said that Hilo Hospital's first lab is running at full capacity and additional resources are sought to save more lives. She said HiloMedicalCenterseeks to serve people across the island with their cardiac needs. She also mentioned serving the whole person.

Poke Bowls were popular at the Cultural Fest. Photo by Julia Neal

     In 2018, the state Legislature issued $1.5 million for the interventional cardiac catheterization program. The hospital requested more funding in 2019, but that bill did not pass.

     Nevertheless, Hilo Hospital was able to welcome four cardiologists and a nurse practitioner and build the program to the point of needing a second catheterization lab.

     Cabatu said that keeping people here for treatment rather then medivacking them to Honolulu saves many lives. She said that people around the island want to stay on this island for care.