Breathe Better at Aholoa Lanai Health Fair

The upcoming Lanai Community Health Fair on Feb. 22 and 23 is helping Hawaii residents breathe easy. Community members are welcome to attend the Aholoa Lanai event at ILWU Union Hall next weekend to learn more about asthma and respiratory health.

Hosted by the Lanai community in partnership with University of Hawaii Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, and Kapiolani Community College of Nursing and Culinary Departments, along with several other local partners, the free fair offers an opportunity to engage with expert speakers, wellness organizations, medical support services, and enjoy hands-on workshops.

“It’s an important event just to put out more information on what asthma is and what you can do as an individual to take care of it,” said Pam Alconcel, coordinator for the University of Hawaii Maui College Lanai Education Center. “There is a high percentage in our community that does have asthma and many who don’t even recognize that they are affected by it. This event gives our community an opportunity to get the answers they need on how to best care for themselves.”

Learn to Breathe Better

Meet some of Hawaii’s top lung specialists, as well as many local environmental professionals, who are working together to address air quality and respiratory health in the islands. Event partners, such as Hawaii Society for Respiratory Care, are offering free screenings for respiratory health, allergies, blood pressure and vision.

Attendees can also learn more about the art of breathing through presentations by J. Scott Janusch, the project director of the Hawaiian Oboe Legacy Project; professional diver Gary Onuma, and others.

Hands-on Health

Learn how to care for asthma and your lungs at Saturday’s asthma care workshops (8 a.m.– 2 p.m.), which strive to educate and empower through an interactive approach to asthma self-management. The free, hands-on workshops will address asthma triggers and medications, smoking cessation and environmental respiratory concerns, such as vog.

Food and Fun

Complimentary cuisine will be provided on both days, courtesy of event partner Kapiolani Community College Culinary Department. Event goers can enjoy a delicious light dinner on Friday evening and Saturday’s attendees will receive a tasty breakfast and lunch. All meals will be prepared by the school’s professional chefs and their culinary students with locally sourced ingredients.

This event makes learning about health and wellness fun and interactive with family-friendly games and prizes, as well as special student exhibits from Lanai High and Elementary School.

Aholoa Health Fair

Friday, February 22, 2019
4–7 p.m.
ILWU Hall

Saturday, February 23, 2019
8 a.m.–2 p.m.
ILWU Hall

Participating Partners

• Action Medical Response – Lanai
• American Lung Association
• Coalition for a Drug-Free Lanai
• Department of Health, Public Health Nursing
• Hawaii Dental Clinic on Lanai
• Hawaii Society for Respiratory Care
• Imua Family Services
• Ke Ola Hou o Lanai/Na Puuwai
• Lanai Community Health Center
• Lanai Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services
• Lanai High and Elementary School
• Lanai Kinaole
• Lice Clinics of America
• Maui County Office of Aging
• Project Vision Hawaii
• Rainbow Pharmacy
• SNAP
• Straub Lanai Family Health Center
• University of Hawaii, Maui College Lanai Education Center, Dual Enrollment and Running Start students