Waimanalo Health Center fires executive

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

WAIMANALO — Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo, executive director of the Waimanalo Health Center, was dismissed yesterday amid allegations of misuse of the center's credit cards, federal scrutiny into the facility's financial dealings and suggestions that other employees may also be involved.

Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo was fired from her position as executive director of the Waimanalo Health Center yesterday. Advertiser library photo

The firing was announced to the center's staff yesterday by Sidney Wilson.

"Kawahine's many years of dedicated service to the health center was fully discussed and carefully weighed in light of the evidence presented," Wilson said, adding that two-thirds of the board present voted for termination.

Kamakea-Ohelo had been suspended without pay since Dec. 5. She was given full opportunity to present her side of the story on Dec. 27 and 30 and was given full access to the center's records to prepare her case, Wilson said. Her attorney was also allowed to attend the sessions and speak on her behalf.

No criminal charges have been filed against Kamakea-Ohelo.

Wilson refused to answer any questions or expand on his explanation, some staff members said. They also refused to comment on the firing, saying that expressing their opinions could cost them their jobs.

Kamakea-Ohelo's attorney, Rodney Veary, said yesterday that she has declined to comment because of an upcoming interview with federal investigators.

Copies of statements involving credit cards belonging to the health center and used by Kamakea-Ohelo were turned over to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last month by Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Waimanalo, Kailua).

Hemmings said the statements show excessive credit-card spending, including numerous costly lunches and apparent personal charges that included $218 to Payless Shoes, $100 to Global Village clothing shop and $70 to Blockbuster Video.

Veary said the investigation will clear up the issues.

"The feds need to be given the time and the means to thoroughly investigate this matter," Veary said.

In 1988 Kamakea-Ohelo was part of a group of women who formed the health center, serving primarily adults. At the time the state ran a clinic in Waimanalo for women and children. Four years later the center took over the state's operation, launching it on a path of growth that took it from a staff of three serving 28 patients on an $88,000 budget to a staff of 52, serving about 4,000 and with a budget of $3.2 million.

Kamakea-Ohelo has been the center's only executive director.

Andrew Jamila Jr., a Waimanalo Neighborhood Board member, praised what she has done for the community, including providing economic growth through the health center, which hires many Waimanalo residents.

"As far as I'm concerned, she's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Jamila said.

Hemmings, who first alleged publicly that Kamakea-Ohelo misused state and federal money, said the termination was a step in the right direction. Hemmings said he went public at the request of board members and employees.

Hemmings also alleged that Kamakea-Ohelo mismanaged and intimidated employees of the center and hired relatives who were not qualified for their jobs.

"The board took decisive action which substantiates the allegation," Hemmings said yesterday, adding that other employees of the center are also involved in the alleged mismanagement of money. "I don't think the executive director operated in a vacuum and I believe that additional work needs to be done to reorganize management," he said.

Wilson told the staff that the board "regrets that this action had to be taken."

"The board affirms that our mission remains paramount and asks all staff and friends to continue to do their good work on behalf of the Waimanalo Health Center," he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.