The statue of St. Damien stands sentry-like at the entrance to the state Capitol. But I sometimes wonder if the spirit of St. Damien actually informs what goes on in the chambers within.
Are we truly dedicated to enacting public policy that serves the greater public good? Are we speaking for the voiceless, finding shelter for the houseless, and taking care of the sick and the vulnerable?
I wonder in part because, after a hopeful beginning early in the legislative session, the fate of paid family leave appears uncertain. Key lawmakers seemed to like what advocates put before them: a state-run public insurance program that would provide progressive wage replacement to those dealing with a new baby, adoption, care of ailing family members, and other emergencies that hit all of us sometimes out of the blue. Not all of us have the means to withstand the impact of these crises, and the working poor are particularly hard-hit.
In downtown Palama where St. Elizabeth’s is located, many families make ends meet with adults working two (or more) jobs each. When there is an illness in the family or kupuna needing care at home, something has to give. That often means cutting back on paid work to take care of loved ones. It is wonderful that the culture of Hawaii places such value on caring for family that people do this willingly. Without that readiness to care for ohana, the state would have to step in at great cost — and with mixed results. More than ever, we need to support the culture of caring with public policy that lightens the financial burden of the hardworking people who give so much even when they have so little.
In this parish, we are reminded of the needs of the poor, working or not, by the popularity of our Saturday morning breakfasts for the houseless. Members of our congregation provide a hot breakfast to 100 houseless every week, and we do their laundry too. The small shifting encampments around the church also remind us of the suffering of those who have lost the battle to pay the rent. We recognize that these are but small acts of relief.
The Legislature, however, is positioned to do much more. If they have the will, our lawmakers can find a way to bring about systemic change that will help reduce the number of people who find themselves houseless because of a crisis that drains them financially, emotionally and physically. I know that making paid family leave a reality would save some working families in Palama from ruin.
Twenty-five years ago President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA provided unpaid leave and did not cover all workers. We need a paid family leave policy that covers everyone, male and female. Progressive wage replacement will allow those whose wages are lower to get a higher percentage of their wages to sustain them through their crisis. Women, who usually shoulder the main burden of caregiving, will get job protection. That will help keep the gender gap in wages from getting worse. A low-cost public insurance model for paid leave would keep costs low and allow even small businesses to offer employees a benefit they otherwise could not afford.
Anything we can do to preserve the dignity of our neighbors nurtures our own humanity and brings us a little closer to God. Father Damien understood that. He could not banish Hansen’s disease from Kalaupapa, but he could, and did help restore dignity to those who suffered. We are called to do no less. In these waning days of the 2018 legislative session, it would not be a bad idea for our lawmakers to ask themselves: “What would Father Damien do?”
Rev. David Gierlach is the Rector of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Palama.
