Veterinary Hui Hosts First Molokai Clinic

Back row, left to right, Reef Robinson, Randy Lindville (Big Island Pet Care business manager), Kiana (Big Island Pet Care vet tech), Tim Robinson, Malia Nolan and Kyle Franks. Front row, left to right, Letisha Kolb, Dr. Kimi Ross DVM (Big Island Pet Care) and Jenny Webster. Contributed photo

By Léo Azambuja

A nonprofit organization launched earlier this year, catering to men’s best friends and feline masters, held its first veterinary clinic on Molokai a couple weeks ago, attending dozens of furry patients over the course of two days.

“We are a charitable organization,” said Letisha Kolb, secretary of the Molokai Community Veterinary Hui. “We want to improve access to veterinary care. So, we figure we can do this by encouraging traveling vets to come. Our objective is to provide the space for them where they can show up, and they can just walk in and they can practice.”

The first veterinary clinic was held by Dr. Kimi Ross, DVM, and her staff, who came from the Big Island and saw nearly 80 patients on Feb. 28 and March 1. 

“She and her staff donated all of their time and all of the meds and vaccines that were used,” Kolb said. 

On the first day of the clinic, Ross and her staff provided at least 55 free vaccinations. On the second day, they did a wellness clinic, attending more than 20 pets. The wellness clinic was initially set at $40 per patient, but Kolb said Ross and her staff made it a “completely free weekend.” Going forward, the wellness clinic will likely be attached to a low cost, Kolb said.

Some pets will need boosters. Kolb said Ross wants to come to Molokai every month and is already trying to set up a date to return. But the hui raised enough money to purchase boosters and additional vaccines. If Ross returns soon, she can administer the boosters, otherwise there are retired veterinary technicians on Molokai who can do vaccinations, according to Kolb.

The hui is working with different veterinarians to bring them to Molokai, according to Kolb. The hui raises money to support the clinic and pay for flights for the vets and their staff. Through a network of volunteers and donors, the hui provides the visiting professionals with lodging and transportation.

The appointments are held at a new clinic in Kamalo, in front of a property owned by hui president, Tim Robinson.

“So many people from the community were a part of building the clinic itself, getting the space ready, providing a generator so that we had electricity, helping put a roof on so that it would be cooler. Just everything that we’ve needed has come from people within the Molokai community,” Kolb said.

The idea for the clinic came from Robinson, who was responsible for pushing for it and bringing it to fruition, according to Kolb. She got involved because as an attorney, she understood how to start a nonprofit organization. Jenny Webster stepped in as the hui’s director and Leo Rivera as the treasurer. But at least 20 others from the community were also responsible for the clinic, whether it was from donating time, resources or expertise.

The hui is bringing a different veterinarian in the next couple weeks to perform spay and neuter procedures. 

“We have a date for that. May 31 will be our first spay and neuter clinic. I don’t know the cost yet, but again, he’s going to donate his time,” Kolb said, adding they will know more about costs after fundraising to cover the vet’s airfare, supplies for the clinic and other expenses.

Additionally, the hui wants to bring a small farm animal veterinarian who would perform clinic at people’s properties. They already have found a horse vet who is willing to come and do home visits.

“We welcome everyone,” Kolb said. “The purpose of it is to bring that care to everyone. Even those who can’t afford vet care. We still want to help.”

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Molokai Community Veterinary Hui, you can do it through PayPal, Venmo (@MolokaiCommunity-VeterinaryHui) or credit card. Cash and checks are also accepted and can be hand-delivered to any board member or mailed to MCVH, PO Box 1348, Kaunakakai, HI 96748.

The hui is still in process of launching a website. Call (808) 658-6200 or email molokaicommvethui@gmail.com for more information.

Photo caption

Back row, left to right, Reef Robinson, Randy Lindville (Big Island Pet Care business manager), Kiana (Big Island Pet Care vet tech), Tim Robinson, Malia Nolan and Kyle Franks. Front row, left to right, Letisha Kolb, Dr. Kimi Ross DVM (Big Island Pet Care) and Jenny Webster. Contributed photo