KEALAKEHE, Hawaii – During a ceremony blessing the site for the future West Hawaii Community Health Center, dignitaries paid tribute to the tragic passing of Loretta Fuddy, the director of the state Department of Health. Fuddy was killed in a small plane crash off Molokai on Wednesday, the only person aboard the flight to die.

Her commitment to health care in Hawaii was noted by those gathered, and Senator Green went on to say that she carried with her the report that Hawaii, just the day before, had been recognized as the healthiest state in America.

West Hawaii Community Health Center Executive Director Richard Taaffe asked for moment of silence in honor of Fuddy.