Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 12, 1 December 2020 — HONORING A LOCAL HERO [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HONORING A LOCAL HERO

V HE HO'OMANA'O V " IN MEMORIAM "

WILLIAM M. AKUTAGAWA, JR. FEBRUARY 18, 1948 - NOVEMBER2, 2020^

By Kamahanahokulani Farrar, Executive Director, Nā Pu'uwai Nā Pu'uwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System serving the islands of Moloka'i (including Kalaupapa) and Lāna'i, is honoring the life of William "Unele Billy" Akutagawa. We are saddened by his passing and would like to honor our loeal hero by sharing his legacy with you. A social worker by training, Unele Billy is the longest serving executive director of the Native Hawaiian Heahh Care System. He was born and raised on the east end of Moloka'i and was a passionate community organizer. I met Unele Billy in 2004 while working with the Native Hawaiian Heahh Scholarship Program of Papa Ola Lōkahi. Nā Pu'uwai was a favorite site for many newly graduated Native Hawaiian scholars because Unele Billy was such an outstanding mentor and historian. He ensured scholars were housed, integrated in community-based work, and provided whh professional opportunities to learn and thrive. Before his retirement in July 2016, Unele Billy confirmed the priorities for Nā Pu'uwai including expanding and securing hnaneial revenues, improving the organization's capacity, and expanding our relationships in the eommunity. Working with Nā Pu'uwai for the past four years, I ean proudly confirm the staff is dedicated to working hard to ensure Unele Billy's vision for our future is strong. We are thankful to have had the vision of such a great man to guide Nā Pu'uwai. Unele Billy was an original member of Nā Pu'uwai Research Group in 1985 whieh sought to improve heahh conditions of Moloka'i residents. Their innovation in research around two early projects, the Moloka'i Heart Study in 1985, and the Moloka'i Diet Study in 1987, informed the passage of the Native Hawaiian Heahh Care Act in 1988, and established Nā Pu'uwai as the Native Hawaiian Heahh Care System for the islands of Moloka'i and Lāna'i. His work included pioneering community heahh programs in diabetes education, cancer screening and education, establishing a fitness center, providing outreach to those unable to leave home for heahh care, and assuring that traditional healing practices were available to

patients seeking them and that practitioners were supported in their work. He addressed the heahh needs of the residents of Kalaupapa and quickly expanded to serve Lāna'i. Unele Billy mentored new generations of healthcare professionals for Moloka'i, and he established long-term care services. We extend our sincere aloha to Unele Billy, his wife Abigail, and their 'ohana as we embrace his legacy of foresight, resourcefulness, leadership, and especially his deep sense of plaee. Here at Nā Pu'uwai we are deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue the mission to serve the community and endeavor to achieve balanced heahh and wellbeing for all Kānaka Maoli. We celebrate Unele Billy's dedicated service to the people of Moloka'i and Lāna'i, and confirm our deepest aloha honoring our loeal hero. I Moloka'i Nui a Hina! ■

1 "f William M. Akutagawa, Jr. ■ Photo: Pulama Lima