Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 1, 1 January 2023 — The Skies are Darkened [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Skies are Darkened

V I OLA LOKAHI V ^ TO THRIVE TOGETHER IN UNITY *

Submitted by Papa Ola Lōkahi "Kūpouli Kānehoa i ka hele a Kaukaopua; Kānehoa is darkened by the departure of Kaukaopua." - 'Olelo No'eau #1931 Auwē! The skies are darkened by the recent passing of six 'Ōiwi health professionals. We weep with their families,we grieve with their patients and students, we join the mourning lāhui. Uwē, uwē, uwē. Noa Emmett 'Auwae Aluli, MD īan. 1fi 1044 - Nnv 2022

Dr. Aluli was recruited to the pilot fouryear program at the medical school at the University of Hawai'i, where he was one of just five Native Hawaiians in that first graduating class in 1975. He committed to serve the medical needs of Moloka'i where sometimes he was the only physician on island. Aluli was involved in the groundbreaking E Ola Mau reports on Hawaiian health and wellbeing. He helped to establish Papa Ola Lōkahi and, closer to home, Nā Pu'uwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System that serves the islands of Lāna'i and Moloka'i including Kalaupapa, and served as medical director of Moloka'i General Hospital. In the early 1980s, Aluli initiated the first Native Hawaiian heart study, Nā Pu'uwai, followed by the Moloka'i diet study, Ho'okē 'Ai, that demonstrated the advantages of a traditional Hawaiian. More recently, he was a co-principal investigator of Hua Kanawao Ka Liko - A Generational Study of Heart Heahh among the Hawaiians on Moloka'i. He also co-founded 'Ahahui o nā Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians, with doctors Kekuni Blaisdell and

Clayton Chong, who all visualized the impact a hui of Native Hawaiian physicians could have on health care policy and delivery. Stewardship of community health went hand in hand with stewardship of aina, whieh included alaloa (accessways) of Moloka'i, Waokele o Puna and Kanaloa Kaho'olawe. In his medical practice, he partnered with traditional Hawaiian healers and western clinicians to improve health outcomes for his patients. All who serve the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians and their families comprise the lasting legacy of Noa Emmett Aluli. Clayton D.K. Chong, MD, MPH May 31, 1954 - Nov. 23, 2022

Dr. Chong was the first Native Hawaiian oncologist, and for many years was the only one. He was the specialist that Hawaiians with cancer sought out. He called himself "Dr. Crabbie" but that crabbiness disappeared in front of his patients. He was beloved by his patients for his straightforward, honest manner and was known to hold a patient's hand throughout an entire visit. Chong was the principal investigator of 'Imi Hale Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, whieh was funded by the National Cancer Institute and administered by Papa Ola Lōkahi for 16 years. He also participated with Native Hawaiian men's and women's cancer committees with the American Cancer Society. He also co-founded 'Ahahui o nā Kauka and served as its first president. The highlights of his term were the annual huaka'i to Kaho'olawe and Kalaupapa, and the 2004 visit to Mauna Kea. Chong transformed ffom physician to physician/ researcher before pursuing an additional degree in puhlie health From Harvard University. His oncology training was at

MD Anderson in Texas. He told stories about growing up in Hilo, fishing in Kapoho and his many, many hobbies outside of medicine. He is survived by his wife, Edwina, three children and four grandchildren who called him "Grumpa." His life will be celebrated on Jan. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Central Union Church. R. Wayne Fukino, MD Jan. 28, 1949 - Dec. 14, 2022

Dr. Wayne Fukino was raised on O'ahu and practiced internal medicine on Kaua'i for more than 34 years. He was a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and in the second 'Imi Ho ola cohort at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1981. He specialized in internal medicine and worked in the emergency room at Kaua'i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, where he also served for a time as medical director. Always an advocate for accessible health care, particularly for Kānaka Maoli, he taught nurses compassionate care even from his own hospital bed. Fukino was a member of the original E Ola Mau, the group whose work led to the passage of the federal Native Hawaiian Health Care Act and the establishment of Papa Ola Lōkahi. He served as president of Ho ola Lāhui Hawai'i, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System that serves the communities of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, and on the board of 'Ahahui o nā Kauka. With his wife Nani, Fukino rallied the community on Kaua'i to host the international Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress in Waimea in 2008. He is celebrated by his wife, Davelyn Haunani "Nani" Fukino, three sons and a daughter, family and friends. A living wake was held in August 2022. A more puhlie celebration will be planned for February on Kaua'i.

Milton Keaulana Holt July 6, 1961 - Nov. 7, 2022

Milton Keaulana Holt heeame a part of the Hawaiian health community when he was awarded the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship in 1996. He served Leeward O'ahu as a social worker and administrator at Hale Na'au Pono, the Wai'anae Coast Community Mental Health Center, way beyond the obligated service requirement. Holt was a graduate of Punahou in the (Barack Ohama) class of '79 and the University of Hawai'i. He was an aeeomplished musician, stand-up bass being his specialty, a chanter and lei-maker, and competent in featherwork and many other Hawaiian arts. At one point in his career he served as a kumu at Saint Louis School. He had a fine aesthetic sense demonstrated by the plants and floral arrangements that adorned his office. He often spoke of his grandmother, the inimitable Venus Gay Holt, under whose tutelage he learned kuleana and stewardship, whieh manifested in a calling to care for the Hawaiian people. After taking time off to care for his tūtū, he returned to the Hawaiian health arena as administrator of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program. Leaning on his experiences as an alumnus, during his tenure he updated policies and procedures, and was both advocate and social worker for the scholars. He was generous with his colleagues and doted on his family. He retired from Papa Ola Lōkahi in 2019. His life was celebrated at Nānākuli Beach Park in December. He is survived by his mother Virginia 'Aunty Nani" Holt, his brother Maleolm Ha'alilio Holt, aunties, many cousins and darling mo'opuna. Wishing comfort and marvelous memories to the Holt, Gay and KeauSEE THE SKIES ARE DARKENED ON PAGE 23