• Profit is priority • Hidden agenda • Dr. Flora lauded • Timeshare changing Kaua‘i Profit is priority When Wilcox Hospital changed from a “not-for-profit” organization to a “for-profit” corporation a few years ago I feared the effect would be
• Profit is priority
• Hidden agenda
• Dr. Flora lauded
• Timeshare changing Kaua‘i
Profit is priority
When Wilcox Hospital changed from a “not-for-profit” organization to a “for-profit” corporation a few years ago I feared the effect would be negative for Kaua‘i.
Research has shown that nursing care is much more available to patients and better utilized in non-profit hospitals. A nurse friend of mine often says, “If you don’t need a nurse, you don’t need to be in the hospital.” Her point is well taken; hospitalization is by far about receiving around the clock nursing care.
There is a shortage of nurses in our country and employers who place profit over patient care will drive more nurses out of the field or away from entering it.
I know how hard nurses work. It requires so much physically, emotionally, and intellectually to ensure our care, whether we are being born or have reached the end of our lives. The nurses’ highest priority is that we have the care we need.
A for-profit employer’s priority is making money. Who would you rather decide how much nursing care you or your family should receive: the nurse at your bedside who is monitoring your health or the company that employs nurses to make a profit on their work?
Please join me in supporting the nurses who are striking at Wilcox Hospital.
Hidden agenda
I appreciate the hard work by the founding members of Ohana Kauai Committee for Better Government and look foward to reviewing their supported slate of candidates and Charter Review Commission measures.
It is apparent, through The Garden Island’s thorough coverage of various issues, the present council members have a hidden agenda that continually goes against the will of the majority. The cost burden we bear for the arrogance of officials challenging the tax limit law, the lack of vision for our island and burden of our infrastructure due to continuing development, the burden imposed on Kaua‘i citizens to seek information from private meetings and executive sessions, all result in a suspicion of corruption rather than ineptitude, and serves to encourage a complete change in our government at the next election.
- Catherine Burns
Princeville
Dr. Flora lauded
One man can make the difference when he is unselfish and caring. When he is available and willing to share his gifts and abilities. When he has learned to depend and rely on one mightier than he to do the actual healing.
On this island, there is one such man. On a daily basis he has to make decisions that will affect a person’s life. Will it be life, or will it be death? He holds that responsibility in his hands daily, and yet he has no authority over one’s life, because he did not create it. He knows this and this is why he is a humble person.
C.J. Paul Flora, internist, is a doctor who not only applies the law of medicine, but follows a higher law of love and humility. He truly cares about his patients. He is not so quick to let his patient give up without a fight. A fight that can be won because of the very principles he lives by. This is evident with his practice at Aloha Medical Center.
Not only is this doctor forthright, but his staff is caring and kind. I have had firsthand experience! When all the other doctors gave up on me saying I would never make it through surgery because of illness and age, I was referred to this doctor for a second opinion. He was willing at least to see me, and take the necessary test to determe why I was sick.
I am 80 years old, and I should be treated with dignity. I was not put on earth to be cast aside just because one doctor says so! Without testing and evaluating my medical condition looking for options, the other doctor said I would not be able to survive any kind of surgery.
But I depended on God to deliver me from this situation, and through prayer, I was placed in Dr. Flora’s care. I have lost good friends because other doctors did not care deeply. Also, they never sought another opinion. Maybe if they have taken that extra step, my friends would be on this earth instead of sleeping.
Dr. Flora’s first concern is how can he serve or help! Is that not what Jesus calls us to do. To serve! The other doctors I dealt with were most concerned with the money and how their services would be paid. They also never gave me a lot of their time. To really converse with me and get a feel for me as as a person and my needs.
My open-heart surgery was done at Queen’s Hospital on O‘ahu by Dr. Michael H. Dang. Dr. Flora selected Dr. Dang, and prepared me for the surgery. So when I arrived in O‘ahu I was physically able to go through the surgery.
I really believe, Dr. Flora takes his oath seriously, and allows God to use him to bring Him honor by truly caring for His flock. Dr. Flora truly took care of me, and he gave my wife the peace of mind she needed. I am the recipient of the kind of care that Dr. Flora give. I did go through the surgery, and I am here to tell my story.
So to those of you who are reading this, it is always good to get a second opinion for it could lead you to a miracle.
Timeshare changing Kaua‘i
People who come to Kaua‘i via timeshare certainly deserve their week in paradise. My problem with the timeshare industry is that as a whole it is changing the rural nature of Kaua‘i. People from all over the world can now learn about Kaua‘i and trade their weeks with travel clubs like the Marriott.
I don’t care how much money they spend while they’re here. Those of us who are lucky enough to have lives here before the advent of timesharing got along just fine, thank you.
No, this is about having to commute one hour or more to work in Lihu‘e. This is about trying to park at Po‘ipu Beach Park (next to Marriott’s Waiohai Property) or trying to park at the end of the road in H‘aena.
This is about Kapa‘a traffic. This is about going to your favorite secret spot only to find 50 tourists are already there.
I want to know how all these tourists would feel if there were 10 new timeshare developments in their little corner of the world?
Wake up people! Timeshare is changing Kaua‘i forever. No more please.
Alas, it’s probably too late already. Welcome to the city of Kaua‘i.
- Harvey Schwartz
Hanama‘ulu
