McDonald’s pop-up events

Hawaiʻi residents are bound by a sense of community—and this people-oriented mindset has extended to COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

As vaccination numbers began to level off this summer, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, businesses, health care providers and nonprofit groups stood up community-focused pop-up vaccination clinics to provide both convenience and familiar, welcoming environment to those considering vaccination.

Churches, markets, public and private schools, community centers and restaurants statewide have offered the use of their parking lots and facilities to support outreach vaccination efforts.

Inside their mobile health van, members of the Hawai‘i Pacific Health COVID-19 Vax Squad (top left) gave free vaccinations to people during the lunch hour pop-up clinic on October 11 at the McDonald’s Restaurant in Nanakuli. Nanakuli McDonald’s owner/operator Francis Yamamura (right, on left) and restaurant supervisor Ronalei Tagama provided volunteers and snacks to those being vaccinated. Photo courtesy McDonald’s Restaurant.

McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi also offered several of its properties to the Department of Health for use during pop-ups, providing staff as volunteers, and giving free snacks to those getting vaccinated.

On October 27, a pop-up event was held at the Temple Valley Shopping Center in Kaneohe. As DJ Primetime Pipi spun records and the McDonald’s restaurant served free food and drinks, 118 people were vaccinated and 40 others tested for COVID-19.

“McDonald’s of Hawaiʻi is part of our communities — we saw a need and offered to help,” said Deniz Civelek, Field People Manager at McDonald’s. “The clinics have been a very successful partnership with the Department of Health and Hawai‘i Pacific Health.”

Many others feel the same way. Firefighters helped set up tents, tables and chairs. Wraparound health services were offered by Ke Ola Mamo and the Honolulu Community Action Program. Chef Hui donated 70 meals and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau donated 50 bags of fresh produce to give to people getting vaccinated.

Asked if the event was a success, Civelek said: “Yes, the partnership is a win for all of those who wanted to get their vaccine at a time and location that was/is convenient for them. The greater number of people who are able to get vaccinated, the safer our communities will be.”

Vaccination events are also being held at the Nanakuli McDonald’s Restaurant. Owner/operator Francis Yamamura said rural communities are especially grateful to the health providers that come out to extend this important service to residents.

“I would like to thank Hawai‘i Pacific Health (HPH) for their efforts to vaccinate our neighbors in Nanakuli,” Yamamura said. “HPH was very organized and their staff was professional in their approach to keeping our community vaccinated and safe from COVID 19.”

Carl Hinson, Director of Human Resources at Hawai‘i Pacific Health, said it is exciting to see businesses and community groups taking active roles in protecting residents from COVID-19.

“We keep going out and doing what we can and getting close to people. We are seeing that it works,” said Hinson.

Additional events are planned McDonald’s locations in Ewa Beach, Kapolei West, Laulani Village, Nanakuli, Temple Valley, Wahiawa and Waipahu.

For a listing of vaccination sites near you, visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/.