By David Lichtenstein
Yesterday was the first meeting of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Molokai. Chair of the Molokai council is Janice Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital. Robert Granger was nominated as vice-chair. Also on the council are Kammy Purdy, Jersula Manaba and Bill Feeter.
The agenda was light and mostly discussed topics for future meetings. The group will meet every second Tuesday of the month at the Kulana O’iwi Center DHHL conference room to offer thoughts and suggestions to Governor Linda Lingle for what is needed on Molokai.
The next meeting November 10 will look at the mail order prescription drug system being imposed on all state and union employees. Molokai Drugs is currently seeking an exemption so that Molokai and Lanai patients who receive medication for chronic conditions can receive prescriptions from the local pharmacy.
Future meetings of this group will tackle issues such as how to provide long-term health care on Molokai (currently there is no nursing home or long-term health care center on Molokai); how can Molokai High School and Middle School provide better life skills preparation for students and how the health of the coral reef and Molokai’s fisheries can be improved.
The group has existed in previous incarnations with various names such as the Governor’s Advisory Council. Because the group exists as a result of an executive order, it is limited to a two-year term. The current group will hold 13 meetings before it ends in November of 2010.
All meetings are held at the Kulana ‘Oiwi Center in the DHHL/OHA conference room starting at 3 p.m.
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