LCC says it won't reconsider transfer
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer
PEARL CITY — About 75 Wai'anae residents last night asked the chancellor of Leeward Community College not to transfer the head of LCC's Wai'anae campus, but the chancellor said the decision is final.
Advertiser library photo • June 10, 2003
The residents had traveled by car and chartered bus and crowded into a room at LCC in support of Lucy Gay, whom they credit with transforming the LCC-Wai'anae facility into an educational center that's responsive to the needs of the community.
Lucy Gay, 58, took over as coordinator of LCC's Wai'anae facility near Wai'anae Mall last July 1, and was told May 30 that her one-year contract would not be renewed.
Gay, LCC-Wai'anae coordinator, was told last month she will be transferred back to the LCC main campus as a counselor at the end of June, touching off a storm of protest.
LCC Chancellor Mark Silliman said before last night's meeting that he had been caught off guard by the controversy, but that he wanted to give leaders in Wai'anae a chance to "talk story" about the decision.
Gay, who did not receive an invitation, attended the meeting, although she did not speak.
The meeting began on a cordial note with Silliman greeting the larger-than-expected crowd and inviting any of them to make a statement.
That was followed by a parade of residents, students and educators who stood up to sing the praises of Gay and her work for the community in only 11 months.
Lilette Subedi, executive director of Ka'ala Farm, echoed the sentiments of most when she said, "This day we ask the college to reinstate Lucy."
"This is a situation where an injustice has been done," said Maralyn Kurshals, who chairs the education committee on the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board. "To me, this is inexcusable. It's not going to happen. It's not right."
"You forgot that the first C in LCC stands for community," William Aila told Silliman and the other LCC administrators. "You didn't ask us what we thought."
Silliman told the gathering that the decision to change leadership had been an internal matter, but that he and LCC are totally committed to the Wai'anae community. He said he has complete faith in Jean Hara, the person who will replace Gay.
Aila interrupted Silliman and accused him of "dancing around the issue," saying he and the others were there to hear what the administrators had to say about the decision to transfer Gay.
"I'll cut right to the chase," responded Silliman. "I'm not rescinding that. Period. Because that's an internal human resource issue.
"What I'm simply saying is that that agreement between Lucy and the institution in writing specifying a term of one year ... has been fulfilled. And at this point she's returning to the job to which she was hired."
He said the improvements at the Wai'anae facility have been the result of the efforts of many.
"This is a team effort," Silliman said more than once. "It's not just one person."
At one point Aila jumped to his feet and said, "You're treating us like we're stupid. We know it takes more than one person. We're offering you an opportunity to work with us to build this college."
After that more than half of those present began filing toward the exit. Aila and Subedi helped Gay, who was in tears, out the door.
Those who remained attempted to get Silliman to change his mind, or at least offer a better explanation about why Gay couldn't stay.
But Silliman, who said he would address the issue again at the next Wai'anae Neighborhood Board meeting, reiterated that Gay had served out her contract and was needed as a counselor at the LCC campus.
