We the undersigned are writing in support of our Executive Director, Joey Gonsalves.  We are devastated that the board terminated his employment at the Hui. 

These are our concerns:

Transparency
The board did not seek input on how the termination of the Hui Executive Director would impact the program and the service to our clients.

• As demonstrated by this petition your actions seriously affect employee morale that will lead to a negative impact on our clientele, no matter how we try to maintain service excellence.  We cannot help but be sad about this situation.
• We still do not know why the board took this step and there has been no information provided to the employees of the Hui. This termination process seems secretive and counter to the values of Aloha and Ohana.
• The lack of consultation regarding the termination of the ED continued with the appointment of an interim ED who has no experience in managing an organization.  And it is our understanding that you have already chosen a new Executive Director that will start in November.  The lack of transparency is troubling.

Hana (The work)
We are unsure if the board is aware of the huge strides the Hui has made in service to the Native Hawaiian Community under Mr. Gonsalves leadership.

• In a recent Maui News article it was reported that  the Hui received the most funds out of all the Native Hawaiian Health Systems.
• The Hui has successfully incorporated Native and traditional western healing to benefit its clientele.
• The Hui is providing dental care to many Native Hawaiians who would never have received this service if not for the Hui.
• In partnership with a local provider the Hui expanded its service to include pharmacy services.
• The Hui is saving people's lives through the implementation of the Ornish program, which is proven to reverse heart disease.

There are many other instances of the excellent service the Hui provides.  The one commonality that these services have is that they were created during Joeyʻs time as the Executive Director.

Meanness
We are most concerned with this board's lack of compassion for our Executive Director who has given 27 years of service to the Hui and in service to the Native Hawaiian community.

• We are concerned that the health and welfare of our Executive Director was not considered - he had just completed surgery.  The manner in which the termination was carried out seems like itʻs out of a movie in corporate America.  This is Hawaii and we are a Hawaiian organization. We are dismayed that the board did not consider the health and welfare of our Executive Director when making the decision to terminate him.
• Caring for people is the hallmark of the Hui. It is the reason why we come to work everyday.  It is disheartening to us that the Hui board has demonstrated that, in the process of terminating Mr. Gonsalves, they do not share this same value.

Lastly, the intent of this petition is to show support for Joey Gonsalves, our Executive Director.  It is our hope that you reconsider your actions because we know anecdotally and summatively that the work the Hui is doing is good and driving towards the Huiʻs mission of developing healers in every ʻohana.  It is our hope that you understand the unanimity of this petition among Hui employees and consider the overall wellbeing of the Hui and the work that we do on behalf of the Maui Native Hawaiian Community.  Mahalo for your consideration.