November 25, 2024 | Originally published in Common Dreams
By: Marcus Kawika Iwane, MD, and Nicole Mahealani Lum, DO
In the wake of the Maui fires, Governor Josh Green moved to prevent the sale of land to outside investors in an effort to prevent disaster capitalism, a common pattern we’ve seen play out in the wake of disasters from Hurricane Katrina to the tsunami in Thailand. This is an important first step to prevent further displacement of Native Hawaiians, but it only scratches the surface of a deeper issue.
In the days after the devastating wildfires on Maui, we saw patients with burns, wounds, infections, chronic disease flare-ups, displacement and, overwhelmingly, mental health crises. Neither of us would have ever imagined experiencing such a tragic crisis as a physician or seeing the amount of devastation right here at home. Treating these patients—and hundreds of Native Hawaiians in our careers—brings to life what research shows: When Native Hawaiians’ connection to land is severed, we suffer.
This is because when the land is sick, so are we…READ THE FULL ARTICLE>
Dr. Marcus Kawika Iwane, of Oahu, is board certified in internal medicine, belongs to the American College of Physicians, Hawaii Chapter, and serves as president of ‘Ahahui ‘o nā Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians. Dr. Iwane is the chief of the Kaiser Permanente West Oahu Medical Office at Kapolei, known as Kīpukaoha, where he leads a collective effort with community organizations to create innovative programs and partnerships that promote Native Hawaiian health and healing. Dr. Iwane completed the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship in 2023.
Dr. Nicole Mahealani Lum, D.O. from ‘Aiea, Hawaii, is a board-certified geriatrician and family medicine physician. She is the medical director of Ke Ola Mamo Native Hawaiian Health System and serves on the Board of Directors for ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians. Dr. Lum completed the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship in 2022.