Support

Letter from Hawai’i’s clergy

February 24, 2016

To the Members of the Senate Ways and Means and House Finance Committees,

We, the undersigned clergy, are writing to express our support for Senate Bill 2478 and House Bill 1885, legislation that would create a public statewide long-term care program in Hawai`i.  As people of faith, we are motivated by our firm belief in society’s collective responsibility to care for one another.  Leviticus 19:32 tells us directly: “Rise in the presence of the aged and honor the elderly face-to-face!” There is a moral imperative in taking care of our elders, and we have a responsibility as a society to make that care accessible and affordable for every family.

In the congregations we serve, we see every day the struggle that families go through in providing the care their kupuna need and deserve. The program created by SB 2478 and HB 1885 would have tremendous positive impact, providing immediate help to those who need care, and supporting families adjusting their lives to provide that care.

We know that this program requires bold and brave leadership. We have faith that you, our elected leaders, will take this challenge on, and in so doing, help thousands of families and elevate our state as a national model in care.

We urge you to support SB 2478 and HB 1885.

Faithfully,

Rev. Piula Alailima
Wesley United Methodist Church

Rev. Lauren Buck Medeiros
Chaplain, Punahou School 

Pastor John Finau
Keolumana United Methodist Church

Brother Virgil
Ohana Family of the Living God

Rev. Emmanuel M. Cruz.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Rev. Daegyu Peter Lee,
Trinity United Methodist Church

Father Peter Miti
St. John Vianney Catholic Churches

Rev. Edgar Brillantes
Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church

Rev. Stan Bain
Keolumana United Methodist Church

Rev. Dennis Brouillette
Aldersgate United Methodist Churches

Rev. Bob Nakata
Harris United Methodist Church

Rev Steven Costa
Episcopal Church West Oahu

Rev. Samuel L Domingo
Kilohana United Methodist Church

Fr. David Gierlach
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church

The Very Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge
Cathedral of St. Andrews

Rev. Liz Leavitt
Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians

Rev. Kathryn R Zurcher
St John Lutheran

Father Richard McNally ss.cc.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Wahiawa

Reverend Mary Paik
Nu’uanu Congregational Church

Rev. Dwight Morita
Nu”uanu Congregational Church