The New Recruits

Community Contributed 

Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

“There is a season for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens,” Ecclesiastes 3.

It was the time for police recruitment in a small town and the story goes that the police sergeant was in the process of interviewing a candidate for a position in the town police department. 

He asked the candidate, “if you had to arrest your wife for reckless speeding, what would you do?” 

The applicant replied, “I would call for backup, Sir.” 

The sergeant followed up with, “what’s your biggest weakness?” 

The applicant replied, “my principal weakness is my problem with reality. Sometimes, I can’t say what’s real and what isn’t.” 

“Well okay,” said the sergeant, “then what are your strengths?” 

To which the candidate said, “I’m Batman.”

Now I do not know whether the Hawaiian Board of Health had this much fun while interviewing for the many job openings in Kalaupapa in recent times. For some time, we had been operating with a near skeleton crew. “Too Tall” Andrew had taken his many skills to topside Molokai. Shantel had graduated from our main office to one on topside. Jessica had switched from managing our grocery store to the outdoor life with the park service and Me-Lee went from patrolling the halls of the care home to joining the pest control. To cap it all, Kenneth had retired as administrator, leaving “Wonder Woman,” Kanani, to run the office and the store.

Thank the Lord that the reinforcements have been coming. There is the carpenter, St. Joseph and all-purpose man, Raymond. There is Kevin from heaven, our new car service man. There is Tricia, our friendly office clerk and Viisha, our equally friendly store manager. There is lovely Maya caring for the patients at the care home and Chef Ashley, slaving over a hot stove in the kitchen.

Yes, we still await our new administrator, whoever he or she is. As for myself, I hope it is not Batman. I would happily welcome Superman, or even better, Supergirl. Aloha!