Red Cross’ Dole Tours Hurricane Site

The head of the American Red Cross toured some of the hardest-hit areas of devastated Kauai on Thursday and called it a “heartbreaking scene.”

“You see homes that have been totally destroyed and your heart goes out to the people here,” said Red Cross President Elizabeth Hanford Dole. Hundreds of Red Cross workers have been arriving on Kauai to help in the recovery from Hurricane Iniki, which roared over the island last Friday.

Dole, a prominent Republican who is a former secretary of labor and secretary of transportation, arrived in Kapaa, about six miles north of the island capital of Lihue, after visiting Red Cross workers and speaking to county and state officials.

The road to Kapaa was strewn with broken telephone poles, downed power lines and billowing smoke from a dump that has been established to take care of mounting quantities of refuse.

As she drove into Kapaa’s heavily damaged business district, Dole stopped to talk to a restaurant owner whose building was destroyed, and walked into the yard of a house that had been crushed by the storm and apparently abandoned. She picked up what appeared to be a small bag containing a doll and a shell collection.

“You know the doll and shells were someone’s personal possessions,” Dole said later. “It’s just heartbreaking.”

Dole, whose Red Cross workers have joined the Salvation Army and other groups in assisting hurricane victims, said relief workers have been holding up well despite grueling hours.

“It just warms my heart,” Dole said as she watched volunteers working at the Kapaa High School, where a Red Cross center has been established to shelter the homeless and feed as many as 1,500 people a day.

“I’m happy they’re here,” said 82-year-old Raymond Porripio, who lost his home in Kapaa to the storm.

As he sat at a table with his grandsons, he was surprised to learn that the woman who served his meal was the head of the Red Cross and said he had not heard of Dole. “Does that mean I met someone important from Washington?” he asked. “Then I hope she can help us.”

While some of those who had lined up for the free meals said they were unaware of Dole or her background, Violet DeVille stepped up to ask Dole for her autograph. Referring to Dole’s husband, Bob, a senator from Kansas and former presidential candidate, she said: “You know, I almost voted for your husband.”

Dole smiled.

With reporters, photographers and television crews looking on, Dole put on plastic gloves to help toss some salad and pitched in to dish out a meal of tuna sandwiches, kiwi, salad and guava nectar.

“What impresses me is that they are thankful and grateful for the Red Cross. There’s a real spirit of support here,” Dole said as she paused from pouring a drink.

Dole took the opportunity in the media spotlight to press her plea for financial support for the Red Cross--which has been strained by the impact of the successive disasters of Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Iniki--and underscored the work her organization has done.

But not everyone was impressed by Dole’s presence.

“She didn’t do nothing,” said Kathy Louis, a cook at the Kapaa school. “I made the salad. She’s just here to be on TV.”

Shortly afterward, Louis was asked about Dole’s efforts. A spokesman for the Red Cross quickly stepped in when he heard the response. “She did offer to do the salad,” he said of Dole, “but then she got put on sandwiches.”