Seriously?

Yes. Seriously.
The powers that be think it is a very good idea to put a criminal mental health facility across the street from an elementary school and preschool. (As if sharing a fence with the sewer wasn't enough.)

As usual, following the money trail is very enlightening. For starters, the medical director of CARE Hawaii, Inc. is also (well, whaddayaknow?) the owner of the property where the facility would be. I'm sure there is plenty more dirt to uncover, but I have other pressing issues tonight.

The acting administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) informed my state Representative of the criteria that are used to determine whether the state will allow a facility to exist. The major criteria are: "relationship to the sate plan, need and accessibility, quality of service/care, cost and finances, relationship to the existing healthcare system, and availability of resources". The full criteria are listed here. **Note that "impact on surrounding community" is not one of the cirteria.

If you live in this area, please get involved and contact Darryl D. Shutter, the Acting Administrator of SHPDA. This is really a challenging assignment, as all of your comments must deal only with the aforementioned criteria. No reason, or logic allowed. The email address is shpda@doh.hawaii.gov, the fax number is 587-0788.

If you don't live in the area, please pray that this facility would not be allowed to be located at this address, or any other so near to children.