LIHUE — The death of state Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy in a plane crash off Molokai Wednesday afternoon sent a shock wave through the Hawaiian Islands.
Condolences poured in Thursday from state and county officials, who are remembering the 65-year-old as a selfless and dedicated leader.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said Fuddy was extremely helpful in planning for the county’s residential adolescent treatment and healing facility.
“I found her to be very professional and full of aloha,” he said in a prepared statement. “This is such a loss for our state and our hearts and prayers go out to her family.”
Gov. Neil Abercrombie and members of Fuddy’s family spoke during a press conference at the DOH building in Honolulu on Thursday afternoon.
“She has passed from us in the line of duty, leaving Kalaupapa, those most abandoned, those most left out, those most marginalized,” he said. “That’s who she dedicated her life to — all those in need of help, all those dependent on her dedication, her commitment, her professionalism.”
Fuddy was killed when a small commuter plane operated by Makani Kai Air went down shortly after takeoff around 3:45 p.m. near Kalaupapa peninsula. The Cessna 208B aircraft crashed into the ocean about 300 yards from shore, according to a preliminary accident report by the FAA.
The eight other occupants, including health department deputy director Keith Yamamoto, survived.
Dr. Dileep Bal, director of the Kauai District Health Office, said he had the privilege of working closely with Fuddy for several years, beginning when she served as chief of the DOH’s Family Health Services Division.
“Her work was her passion, especially focusing on maternal child health,” Bal said. “What we do in our business is care for people who aren’t that wealthy, and she really cared about poor people.”
Bal quoted the book of Matthew, which says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
“She really practiced that adage,” he said. “She was a good person, a good leader and my colleagues here in the district health office will all miss her.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Fuddy dedicated her life to improving the well-being and health of Hawaii’s people.
“She was a fierce advocate for our keiki and kupuna, working for more than 37 years to create a safe and healthy environment for our residents,” she said in a written statement. “I am deeply saddened by her untimely passing, and my sincere condolences go out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
Rep. Dee Morikawa, D-Koloa-Niihau, said Fuddy was able to turn the DOH around “in a big way,” and that her death is a tragic loss for the state.
“It’s going to be a hard act to follow,” Morikawa said of Fuddy. “We’re mostly in shock right now. It hasn’t quite set in.”
Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-Wailua-Hanalei, described her as open and transparent — never complacent.
On Wednesday, the same as the crash, the United Health Foundation released its 2013 America’s Health Rankings. Hawaii came in at No. 1.
“She never saw (No. 1) as something to settle for,” Kawakami said. “She was always pushing to be better.”
Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, D-Koloa-Lihue, said the House Finance Committee, of which he is a member, was scheduled to meet with Fuddy next week in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.
“Every time she would be there she was always so calm and cool — always willing to answer questions,” he said. “She was just a class act. We’re going to miss her.”
Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kauai-Niihau, described Fuddy as “bright, committed and dedicated.”
Vivian Ainoa, president of Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native Hawaii Health Board, said Hawaii and its people have lost one of their “pillars of support.”
“There are few individuals that when tragedy strikes home, one takes a deep breath and lets out a wail from the naau (intestines or guts),” she said in a statement. “Loretta Fuddy was one such person for whom we all uwe (weep) today. Loretta, or Deliana, as she would at times correct you, spent her life caring for families, children, and those in need. Her family was, in fact, all of us who call Hawaii home.”
Bal said Fuddy’s last visit to Kauai was in late September.
During Thursday’s press conference, Abercrombie spoke about Fuddy’s enduring commitment.
“What we’re about now is dedicating ourselves to live up to what she meant to all of us, to all of Hawaii,” he said. “Our hearts are broken, but we’re going to carry on in the spirit of Loretta Fuddy.”
• Chris D’Angelo, environmental reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or cdangelo@thegardenisland.com.
