KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sinuu Pomele shared a hug with Jory Watland yesterday after a protest at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Community Center in Kalihi. Watland, who founded the Kokua Kalihi Valley Health Center and was its first and only executive director for 30 years, felt compelled to resign.
Kalihi health center About 50 Kalihi Valley residents marched with signs at the Kokua Kalihi Valley Health Center last night to protest the "forced" resignation of Jory Watland, who founded and directed the facility for more than 30 years.
draws protest
Residents are upset that
the facility's director and founder
felt forced to resign
By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com
"Tell the boss to come back," shouted one demonstrator. "That's all we want."
Watland said board members "directly interfered" with his ability to carry out his job, forcing him to resign. He wrote to the board Jan. 13 that if the leadership did not change at an election meeting, he would resign Jan. 31.
He said the same leaders were elected, and they voted to accept his resignation.
Board members acknowledged management issues between them and Watland, but Chairman Geoffrey Pang said, "No one harassed the executive director to resign."
"The board took a vote, and I have to live with that vote," said member Ed Kemper.
He said the fundamental issue "was the power of the board vs. the power of the executive director in the broadest terms."
He said there were personnel issues that could not be discussed.
Watland said it was clear last year in personal interactions and at board meetings that he could not work with the present leadership and they could not or would not work with him.
"A working relationship must exist in order for KKV to achieve the mission set out in 1972," he said, referring to the program's start when he met with a small group in the minister's office of Kalihi Baptist Church.
The facility, located in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Community Complex at 2239 N. School St., provides health and human services to an average of 5,000 area residents.
The board had scheduled a meeting last night but adjourned without holding it after news reporters and people in the community tried to attend.
Watland said the staff was told they would be terminated if they talked to the media.
Dr. David Derauf, KKV medical director, and board member Michael Epp said no one was threatened or intimidated, and no one will lose jobs.
Brenda Mathias, interim executive director, said the board had disagreements with Watland, but he was a "dedicated visionary leader" and "his departure saddened us all."
She said the board "is looking forward to answering the concerns of the community."
Signs said differently: "KKV Board Micromanages Health Center." "KKV's Mission Lost." "Pang and Gang Resign."
Ann Bystrom, who wanted to attend the board meeting, said she had supported KKV for 20 years and was "in shock" when she heard "Jory was shoved out. It's his vision that made this possible."
Mary Judd, whose husband, Dr. Charles Judd, joined Watland, a Lutheran minister, and others in creating the program, said KKV is Watland's "seven-day-a-week ministry. He has ministered to all these people for generations."
Epp said the transition is traumatic because Watland is "very charismatic and effective. He led the organization by the strength of his vision and personality." But at some point that management style does not work, he said.
He said the board was caught short by the community protest and was not sure how to deal with it because of confidentiality issues. "A great deal did go on that obviously the public doesn't know about," Epp said.
Watland also was executive director of the Kokua Kalihi Valley Foundation, established to receive funds. He learned last night that that position also was lost with his resignation from KKV.
Pang said the board will plan a forum or some event to address community concerns. He tried to talk to some of the people demonstrating, and they told him to talk to their leader, Moevao Soliai, the highest talking chief of the Samoan community in Kalihi.
Soliai said, "All these old men and old ladies (sitting along the wall) usually come here. That man (Watland) is a good man for the people, especially old people. We don't like to lose him. All these people want him."
Kokua Kalihi Valley Health Center
