Let the conspiracy theorists begin.
In April of 2011, Fuddy made national news when she stepped up and verified the authenticity of certified copies of President Obama’s birth certificate. The request was made by President Obama in response to the “birthers” movement, which alleges the president was actually born in Kenya and not the United States, thereby making him ineligible to serve as president.
According to Makani Kai Air President Richard Schuman, he had a conversation with the pilot of the single-engine plane following the crαsh.
“What he reported is after takeoff . . . there was catastrophic engine failure,” said Schuman. “He did the best he can to bring the aircraft down safely and he got everybody out of the aircraft.”
The cause of the plane’s engine failure is unknown and according to The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Eric Weiss because of where the plane crashed it is highly unlikely that it will ever be recovered.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie offered his words of grief. “Our hearts are broken,” he said. “Loretta was deeply loved and respected. She was selfless, utterly dedicated and committed to her colleagues in the Department of Health and to the people of Hawaii. Her knowledge was vast; her counsel and advice always given from her heart as much as from her storehouse of experience.”
Those working to set up Hawaii’s Obamacare website, Hawaii Health Connector, called Fuddy’s deαth “a terrible loss” for the state, as reported by USA TODAY.
“I worked closely with Director Fuddy on the Affordable Care Act and came to know and respect her as a passionate advocate for public health and a warm, caring human being,” said a former colleague.