Mahalo Jared Christenot!

This August, our formidable Quality Improvement (QI) and Quality Assurance (QA) leader will transition away from KKV to serve Kalihi in new, and yet, undefined ways. We recognize and applaud him for taking a leap into new opportunities and offer a huge mahalo for his many achievements. 

Jared Christenot came to KKV more than a decade ago when he became excited about the KVIBE bicycle shop. It was only after meeting Executive Director, David Derauf, that he made the connection with KKV. Having recently moved to Hawaii from travels in Asia and abroad, the Montana native started working for AlohaCare, of which KKV was a founding member. When the QI/QA position at KKV opened, Jared applied and was hired. From the start what both impressed and humbled him were the staff, especially the aunties who “humbled you and brought you down to earth.” 

Jared to a large extent created a KKV version of a QI/QA officer, who for health centers is tasked with assessing and managing risk, ensuring quality care, compliance, and improving clinical performance. Over the years, he helped KKV adopt electronic medical records, oversaw IT, and helped strengthen efficiency across the organization. Although not in his job description, Jared’s reach extended beyond the clinic. With a passion for KVIBE, he recognized that the program was at a critical point in need of support. So, Jared helped open the bike shop on Saturdays, helped to manage the program, and participated in the late-night basketball league as a player and a coach.  He helped KVIBE organize and raise sponsorship for the first Ahupuaʻa Ride, gathering youth and community to ride from Ho’oulu ‘Āina to Sand Island. 

One of his biggest achievements was the Complete Streets project that brought together a coalition of Kalihi school principals, the Mayor, nonprofits, the Hawaii Bicycle League, AARP, and the Sierra Club, to advocate for, and then paint, bicycle lanes on Kam IV Road. In fact, due to their advocacy, Kam IV was entirely reconfigured from a fast four lane thoroughfare to a slower three lane road flanked with bike lanes.  This heavily traveled road had been the site of numerous accidents and safety issues for Kalihi residents.  Immediately after Complete Streets got the streets painted, the number of accidents and fatalities decreased significantly and remains low today. 

KKV Staff share well-wishes to accompany Jared as he embarks on his new journey. Mahalo Jared for all that you have done for Kalihi!

From David Derauf:

“Jared,12 years ago, you were young and eager to roll up your sleeves and get to work on building a healthy Kalihi. You demonstrated that same passion every day and did so in 100 different ways. KVIBE and Midnight Basketball never appeared on your job description but that did not prevent you from being there for the young men of Kalihi. We relied on you when IT systems needed to go live and when IT systems went down. We relied on you when we lost our passwords. We relied on you to keep us in the good graces of the Federal Government’s Compliance wing and keep quality payments flowing into KKV to support our work. We relied on you to help run our growing pharmacy operations. Mostly we relied on you as a good-natured, passionate colleague we could always turn to. Someone who put the care of our community first. Now you are off to explore new ground.  I am sure that wherever you land they too will come to rely on you. And we will remember your service to KKV and Kalihi.” 

From Vailima and Jerry Watson:

“We will All miss the Paniola from Montana. I, pray for continued blessings, of  Happiness, Good Health and Success in all of your endeavors, along with your Beautiful Ohana.” 

From Nabin Oli:

“Until We meet again: We think of you and your smile. We talk about your dedication.”