LIHU‘E — Nearly a hundred doses of COVID-19 vaccines were distributed during a clinic at Isenberg Park in Lihu‘e Saturday.
“We had 50 people registered,” said Dr. Kapono Chong-Hanssen of Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i. “We have more than a hundred doses, so we should be able to accommodate the people with appointments and walk-ins. This really surprised me.”
Bryden Ka‘auwai, participating in the Anahola Clubhouse vaccine clinic earlier in the morning, said over a dozen doses were administered there during the two-hour clinic.
“They were limited to administering to those 18 and above,” Ka‘auwai said. “At Lihu‘e, we have all three vaccines. That means we can administer vaccine to anyone 12 years and older.”
The vaccine clinic was a collaborative effort led by Cece Kilma of the Marshallese Association of Kaua‘i, who teamed with Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, Project Vision and the Marshallese Community Organization of Hawai‘i, who flew in leaders and volunteers from Honolulu, and community volunteers to offer the community a school-supplies distribution, the COVID-19 vaccines, eye screening and other help as summer winds down.
“We try to partner with the Marshallese community organizations on each island to empower each other,” said Jendrik Paul, the Marshallese Community Organization of Hawai‘i president. “There are close to 15,000 Marshallese living in Hawai‘i, and when we work together with other people that’s the only way we can beat this COVID.”
Grace Meek, the Hiehie Program manager for Project Vision, agreed. “We helped with the school supplies by contributing,” Meek said. “Additionally, we’re providing personal-hygiene kits to families who are participating in the vaccine clinic. We also have help for people with sunglasses, readers and eye examinations.”
The mobile-shower unit was idle Saturday, and with the closures of the county’s Shelter-In-Place sites for the houseless, Meek said the shower schedule is down to three days a week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — and the most current schedule can be found on hotshowerskauai.org.
“Tuesday, the mobile shower unit is at The Salvation Army Lihu‘e Corps from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Meek said. “Capt. Shawn Keoho provides a hot meal for people taking advantage of the shower unit, too.”
Wednesday, the shower moves to The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Thursday, the shower unit moves to the Westside Christian Center with Pastor Darryl Kua from 3 to 6 p.m.,” Meek said. “Pastor Darryl provides a meal, too. But, besides that, he even goes out and drives through the community to pick up people who need a hot shower but can’t get to the center.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
