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The governor should be using his medical training and his whiteboard to inspire us all to be healthier.

I have a confession to make, which may come as an unwelcome surprise to my libertarian and conservative friends: I sincerely believeone of the functions of good governmentis to save people.

Now that Ive exploded the heads of approximately three out of 10 of my loyal readers, allow me to explain thatthe whole concept of social contract and human civilizationis to organize strength for the weak and help for those who are unable to help themselves by themselves.

In exchange for us agreeing to pay taxes and submitting to laws, the government looks out for us, so were not living like a prehistoric Booga Booga the Caveman whose entire responsibility for survival rests on him walking perimeter or hunting mammoths every day. Five thousand years of history reflects that civilization works best when it provides humans collective security against attack, agricultural stability/food supply predictability, and most importantly, sanitation and health care.

And when it comes to health care, government especially needs to set a positive example and leave the people a legacy for good. But let me tell you why I believe this.

My first exposure and acclimation to government was in my childhood. My father was a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Air Force, so my health care was government health care for the first two decades of my life.

Not only that, but whenever I got in trouble at school, whenever I needed help someplace, or whenever I simply needed someone to show me support, my dad would show up for me, often dressed in his Class A uniform, and hed say to the adults that had authority over me, Im here for my son.

On one occasion when my dad couldnt attend my summer camp graduation ceremony, he sent all the junior officers from his HQ in Class B uniform to go on his behalf. When my school wondered why it looked like the graduation had awkwardly turned into some kind of national security special event, my dads executive officer replied, Were the Daniel de Gracia fan club.

Younger people today might scoffat 1980s action movieslike Rambo or Commando where the storyimplausibly always starts witha senior military officershowing up to go collect some civilian, but for me that was life as usual.

The point Im making with this humorous life story is that I learned at an early age that good government is supposed to show up when you need help, be attentive to negative developments and take action when necessary, and serve as an aspirational force in empowering people to be their best.

I learned about what good government can do because of my dad. Hawaii also knows what good government can do for peoplebecause of men like Prince Kuhio, and Gov. Josh Green, as a medical doctor, can really help the people in this same spirit of positive intervention.

So where do we start? Well, in Hawaii, Filipinos and Native Hawaiians in particular need urgent help from the government when it comes to their health. One thing we dont talk about is how both populationsare at greater risk for kidney diseasethan others, and chances are, many of the older Filipinos and Native Hawaiians in your circle are probablydependent on kidney dialysisservices.

Like so many other things in Hawaii that weve come to accept as routine, you probably grew up seeing aunties, uncles, parents, grandparents and others getting chronic kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes as a progression of their aging. It just happens, right?

I got a shocking introduction to kidney problems after I got Covid last year, whenI found myself constantly sufferingfrom intense inflammation and painful, large swelling all over my body. In December, my labs showed that my estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which isa measure of how well my kidneys were working, had dropped to a scary 86 mL/min/1.73m2. The average for a person my age should beat least 99 or higher.

I did the threat calculus in my head and began to wonder if Id be dying soon or need to be on dialysis. One of my cousins who got Covid lost a kidney, and I didnt want to be like him.

I dont subscribe to the now that youve got it, its downhill from here school of medical thought, so I researched it and found that kidney functionis impeded by high insulin levels. So, I had a theory: What if I naturally lowered my insulin production by intermittent fasting? Would that improve my kidneys?

Last week I got my most recent labs back, and three months later, my eGFR is now at 117. Ta-da! Not only that, my blood sugar, lipid profile, and many other key health markers are vastly improved. I also feel so much better and am almost pain-free in my body now. I thank God for this turnaround, but to be honest, I wish Id known earlier the science of kidney health to spare me some pain during the pandemic.

I was able to get better because I at least had some education to research alternatives. But what about those who dont? They need someone to show up for them.

Now what if Dr. Josh Green, that is, Gov. Green, were to put a special emphasis on educating the public many of whom are Filipinos like myself, or Native Hawaiians on how to prevent kidney damage, early? What if Green could use his medical background to set a positive example and educational initiative so that we have a healthy revolution in Hawaii?

What if Green were to show up to high schools and talk to people about how to eat healthy and live healthy, before they get sick as adults? What if Green were to use his daily whiteboard updates to give tips on kidney health, liver health and heart health, among others? Imagine if Green were to inject his medical and government presence in a big way into ordinary Hawaii life so that he sets an example for all of us to learn from and be inspired by.

Why am I saying this? Because we all need a hero in our lives, and Green, who Im sure is looking for a win and a legacy to be praised for, can start by helping Hawaii residents get healthier.

Want an easy win for good government in Hawaii? Our doctor-in-chief and governor can start by giving all of us a hero for health.

Civil Beats community health coverage is supported by the Atherton Family Foundation, Swayne Family Fund of Hawaii Community Foundation, the Cooke Foundation and Papa Ola Lokahi.

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Danny De Gracia: Dr.-Gov. Josh Green Should Be A Health Care Hero - Honolulu Civil Beat