FIRST PHOTO: More than 20 sign wavers line Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului Saturday afternoon to show their support for embattled State Department of Health Maui District officer Dr. Lorrin Pang. “Dr. Pang cares about the community,” said Heidi Taogoshi of the Maui District Health Office (second from right in foreground). “We’re out here to show our support that we care for him. He always has the best interest of the community, that’s why all the people are out here supporting him.” Daeni Ito (right) held a homemade sign that said “Pang is irreplaceable.” “Doctor Pang is here for our Maui County and is always putting us first,” Ito said. “He’s been a leader, as far as I’m concerned, in all the health issues Maui has faced,” said retired UH-Maui nursing professor Nancy Johnson. He was a huge supporter of our nursing program from the beginning.” Organizer John Cheetham said the idea to stage Saturday’s sign-waving rally was hatched on short notice Friday. He was encouraged by the turnout while holding a sign that read: “Dr. Pang is a good man.”

SECOND PHOTO: State Department of Health Maui District officer Dr. Lorrin Pang waves to sign-wavers from the bed of a truck on Kaahumanu Avenue Saturday.