People just as needy as baby whale
By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist
There was a story in the news this week about a baby whale that washed ashore in Kona. Despite valiant efforts by marine mammal experts and local volunteers, the animal died, but it wasn't for lack of attention.
The accounts of the outpouring of care the baby whale received were amazing. Fisherman jumped into the water to save it from a shark. People watched over the animal as they waited for a veterinarian to fly in from Honolulu. Someone brought a portable generator and lights so the efforts could continue after the sun set. Someone else let them use a commercial fisheries tank.
All that for a whale.
Now hold on. I'm not about to say it was effort wasted. Not at all. But I couldn't help but wish that same kind of deep concern and quick, selfless action would be extended to others in need. Other humans in need.
In Walter Wright's story, there was a quote from Marlee Breese, former curator of Sea Life Park:
"I think people are basically good," she said, "and people want to help, and on something like this it is very uncomplicated, the perception of need is very straightforward and the desire to help is very strong."
I guess that statement rang so true for me because for the last week, my friends' little girl has been in a hospital intensive care unit. I walk in there and see the faces of the families with children who are so sick. The desire to help is very strong, but knowing just what to do is complicated. Just bringing good intentions doesn't seem enough.
But there are straightforward and uncomplicated ways to fulfill that desire to help.
At Ronald McDonald House, for example, just dropping off a bag of rice or a couple of bath towels can help.
The home on Judd Hill in Manoa offers shelter for families of children who are in the hospital. Most are from the Neighbor Islands. Some are from places within the Pacific Rim. They're families far away from home, lost in the city, sleepless, frayed and heartsick over the illness of a beloved child. A bag of rice given from a kind heart can make a huge impact.
The house is almost always filled to capacity. There's so much they need, simple things like cereal bowls and playstation games. Volunteers are needed to help drive the families to stores or to and from the hospital. And they sure could use some help from people with computer, graphics, gardening and data-entry skills. There's even a wish-list that is constantly being updated. You can call the house at 973-5683 and get the list faxed to you. It's uncomplicated. It's straightforward.
If it's natural and easy to help a baby whale that's suffering, it should be even more natural and easy to help people who are suffering. Not "instead of," but "in addition to."
Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this column attributed a quote about people's reactions to the stranded whale to the wrong person. The coomment was made by Marlee Breese, former curator of Sea Life Park:
