Help Restore Kaʻū Wellness After Hurricane Lala

Aloha, my name is Chelsea and I live in Naalehu which was absolutely devastated from Hurricane Lala. I am heading up this campaign to support my very good friend, Doede who has dedicated her medical services to our town.

Hurricane Lala and the immense flooding that followed have completely destroyed Kaʻū Wellness, the medical clinic operated by our dear friend Dr. Doede. She is a local physician who, along with her support staff of additional providers (a second full-time physician, part-time nurse practitioner, physical therapist, medical massage therapist, behavioral therapist) and medical/office personnel, provides family medicine and pediatric care to families in Naʻālehu and throughout the Kaʻū community and beyond.

For Dr. Doede, Kaʻū Wellness has always been about more than just a medical practice. It is a way for her to serve her community and care for people when they need it most. Her practice focuses on family medicine and whole-person care, supporting the health and well-being of the entire family.

In addition, she also provides care to uninsured patients and offers a sliding-scale payment option, making it possible for the people of our rural low-income community to receive care regardless of their ability to afford the actual cost.

Now, after the hurricane, Dr. Doede is faced with the daunting task of rebuilding her practice from the ground up. In an already-challenging financial environment, the clinic has been completely wiped out. This includes the building, all medical and office equipment, as well as the supplies and materials required to care for her patients. Then there are the daily operating expenses to be considered, like rent, insurance, staffing, utilities, etc.

Kaʻū Wellness has been a vital anchor of our community, a place where local families can receive care close to home, where children can see a doctor, and where people can obtain the health care they need regardless of their ability to pay.

Through all of this, Dr. Doede continues to hold firmly to her faith in God. She is unwavering in her trust of Him, knowing that even when we don't understand why something happens, God has a plan and a purpose. She is committed to faithfully walking the path He has set before her regardless of the challenges.

The cost of replacing the equipment and supplies and rebuilding the clinic will be enormous, and will ultimately decide the fate of her mission to continue providing meaningful health care in the medically underserved community of Kaʻū. We are prayerfully asking our friends, family, and anyone who would like to support Dr. Doede in getting Kaʻū Wellness back on its feet to please consider making a generous donation.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help replace what was lost and help Dr. Doede get back to caring for the people of Kaʻū. If you aren't able to donate, please share this fundraiser. Every share helps us to reach more people who may be able to donate.

Together, we can help restore Kaʻū Wellness and bring family medicine, whole-person care, and pediatric care back to our community.

Thank you in advance for standing with Dr. Doede, Kaʻū Wellness, and the families of Kaʻū.

“‘Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli."

Isaiah 54:10-11