Waimanalo Health Center picks new chief
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
WAIMANALO — Charles Braden Jr., a longtime children's advocate and head of Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii, has been chosen to lead the Waimanalo Health Center out of months of turmoil.
Braden's selection as executive director was announced Thursday by the health center's board of directors.
Braden, 56, who was chosen from a field of 35 candidates, said he looks forward to leading the health center into a new era that includes restructuring operations.
"I don't see major changes at the center, but I see more collaboration and communication with the community," Braden said.
He replaces Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo, who was fired in January amid allegations that she improperly spent thousands of dollars of health center money on herself or her family — money that Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua-Waimanalo-Hawai'i Kai), said should have been used for medical treatment.
As a federal investigation into those allegations continues, the center has fired two more employees and announced its intention to discontinue the popular federally financed Women, Infant and Children program when its contract expires in October.
Braden said he recognizes that one of his challenges is to move the center beyond the controversy and into the future.
"There's a lot of people who are bitter against (Kamakea-Ohelo) and I see my job not only building bridges but trying to put bridges where they were torn down," Braden said yesterday.
Braden, born and raised in Hawai'i, lives in Maunawili. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 1965 graduate of Punahou School. He served in the Army for three years and returned to Hawai'i and worked as an executive in the restaurant industry for 20 years.
He has been executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii for the past 10 years.
Waimanalo Neighborhood Board chairman Wilson Ho said the board is pleased with the appointment as it indicates that steps are being taken to resolve problems at the center.
The board had opposed the center's recent decision to discontinue the WIC program that serves hundreds of Waimanalo residents.
"We would like to see some things corrected," Ho said. "We'd like to see the new director come in and resolve some challenges we felt were questionably addressed."
Hemmings commended the board for selecting Braden, who is a director for Hawaii Kids Watch, trustee for KCAA Pre-Schools, past chair and current advisory committee member for the Hawai'i Children's Trust Fund, a member of the Child Protective Services Legislative Roundtable and recently served as a liaison between the State Chapters and the Board of Directors of Prevent Child Abuse America in Chicago. Braden is also past president of the Waikiki Rotary Club.
"I think (Braden) will be a breath of fresh air and he will return the Waimanalo Health Center to accountability and most importantly make sure the health center resources are spent to benefit the people of Waimanalo," Hemmings said.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.
