Live With No Regrets: Hawai‘i survivors share their stories
While we have all been impacted by COVID-19 in countless ways, relatively few Hawai‘i residents have experienced the virus first-hand. Only if we truly understand the physical threat will we be motivated to do everything we can to stop it. And one of the best ways to achieve that understanding is to learn from survivors and their loved ones. This week the Hawai‘i Department of Health launched the second round of “Live With No Regrets” public service announcements (PSAs.) These new videos tell powerful stories of Hawai‘i residents personally impacted by COVID-19. These survivors all have personal COVID-19 journeys to [...]
All residents 16+ are becoming eligible April 19 and supply is still catching up—mahalo for your patience!
Starting Monday, April 19 all Hawai‘i residents age 16+ will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. This means 300,000 people will be newly eligible, bringing the total to more than 650,000 people in our state who are eligible and still unvaccinated. Limited supply continues to be Hawaii’s biggest challenge to meeting the demand for vaccination. Here at the Hawai‘i Department of Health, we acknowledge how frustrating it is that there is not yet enough vaccine to go around. We are hopeful that our vaccine supply will increase early next month and we can look forward to increasing access. Thank you for [...]
From zero to a million in four months!
In a year when time appears to play tricks on us, it may seem like quite a while ago when our only defenses against COVID-19 were masks, hand washing and physical distancing. Whether we’ve personally received a vaccine or not yet, we’ve come to count on COVID-19 vaccines to protect us—individually and collectively. Four short months ago—on December 14, 2020—Dr. Lester Morehead of The Queen’s Medical Center received the very first COVID-19 vaccine in Hawai‘i. And four months later—to the day—Hawai‘i surpassed the one million mark of doses administered across the state. That adds up to a significant percent of [...]
Hawai‘i CARES: Compassion on call 24/7
We are all facing circumstances we never dreamed of a year ago. When Hawai‘i and much of the world went into lockdown last March 2020, most of us thought it would be short-lived and things would get back to normal in a few weeks—or months at most. More than a year later we’ve become accustomed to the “new normal” but that doesnʻt mean it’s easy. The pandemic has impacted our health, our income, our homes and schools and our relationships. Not surprisingly, the cumulative stress has impacted our collective mental health, with many more residents reporting symptoms such [...]
No One Is Left Behind in Hawaii’s Vaccination Plan
In Hawaii’s efforts to vaccinate our high-risk residents as quickly and efficiently as possible, it’s comforting to know that no one is being left behind or forgotten. These high-risk target groups include Hawaii’s 3,200 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served through the Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) in the state Department of Health. With collaboration between the DDD, Behavioral Health Administration and other partners, Hawai‘i has successfully vaccinated the majority of residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in just the past two months. “Hawai‘i residents with developmental disabilities often have underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. [...]
5 Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
This year the pandemic, although challenging, has been an opportunity for families to spend more quality time together. From keiki to kupuna, family members young and old are reconnecting in the kitchen over treasured recipes passed from one generation to the next, and new recipes to add to the mix. “The pandemic has renewed interest in home-cooked meals, but we realize that many of Hawai‘i’s families still struggle to prepare healthy meals at home,” says Lola Irvin, Administrator of the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division. “Thankfully, there are simple steps we can take to [...]
Vaccine Distribution to Frontline Healthcare Workers: Q&A with Tarquin Collis, MD with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii
COVID-19 vaccines are here in Hawai‘i, and distribution to frontline healthcare workers has already begun. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is playing a leading role in COVID-19 care and vaccine distribution in our state. They received their first shipment of 975 doses of the vaccine last week Wednesday, and started administering shots the following day. In September, we asked Tarquin Collis, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, to share his frontline observations in providing care for patients with COVID-19. Today, the Hawai‘i Department of Health asked Dr. Collis for his insight on how hospitals prepared to administer its first [...]
Holidays and COVID-19
A practical guide for a safe holiday season Avoiding ‘superspreader’ gatherings with family and friends ‘Tis the season for planning holiday parties and potlucks. This year, your ‘ohana’s heath and safety is the top priority. We hope you can enjoy the holidays with the help of some precautions from the Hawai’i Department of Health. In Hawai‘i, the holidays typically are a time to welcome home family members who have been away at school or host visiting friends. Unfortunately, the holiday merriment and festivities we crave are among the highest-risk scenarios for transmitting COVID-19. It’s important to keep everyone safe, especially [...]
COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A with Ronald Balajadia, Hawai‘i Department of Health Immunization Branch Chief
Ronald Balajadia, Hawai‘i Department of Health Immunization Branch Chief The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has many asking wondering: When will it be available here? How does it work? Is it like the flu vaccine? Are there any side effects? Can it cause you to get very sick? We spoke with Ronald Balajadia, Hawai‘i Department of Health Immunization Branch Chief, who answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the vaccine: Q: When will the vaccine be available for people in Hawai‘i? Ron: The first supply of the COVID-19 vaccine will likely be available in mid-to-late December [...]
Department of Health Steps Up Outreach to Pacific Islanders
Contact Tracer Lead Investigator Chantelle "Tellie" "Matagi and her team of 10 contact tracers and monitoring specialists conduct in-person educational outreach events for Pacific Islander communities. Different approaches to public health outreach and education are used to reach Hawai‘i’s diverse ethnic populations and large number of immigrants for whom English is a second language. The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division is ready to engage and collaborate with the communities. Recognizing the need, Disease Investigations Branch Chief Emily Roberson recently commissioned a contact tracing team dedicated to outreach to Pacific Islanders. Chantelle “Tellie” Matagi started as [...]