LIHU‘E — Additional pop-up testing sites will be available island-wide to help combat the COVID-19 surge occurring statewide, State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and Rep. James K. Tokioka announced Wednesday.
Kouchi and Tokioka have reached out to the Department of Health (DOH), National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i (NKFH), and Kevin Glick of Lihu‘e Pharmacy to ensure additional testing sites are available on Kaua‘i.
“In order to advert a strain on our healthcare system, additional testing and vaccine sites are imperative to identifying and stopping the spread of this new delta variant,” Kouchi, District 8, said. “We want to make testing accessible and convenient for those who want to get tested to be able to receive a free test.”
School-based testing will be available through the NKFH to the Department of Education (DOE) for students, employees, contractors, coaches, security personnel, volunteers, and other persons who are physically present in K-12 schools.
“I have had emails, phone calls, and numerous people stopping me to share their valid concerns regarding students back to in-person learning while our state is in the middle of a surge,” Tokioka, who represents House District 15, said. “I would like to thank the Director of Health Dr. Libby Char, Dr. Janet Berreman, and the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i for stepping up to assist the community and the Department of Education during this unsettling time.”
School testing schedule will be available soon, a release states.
In addition, K-12 schools are eligible for participation in the Operation Expanded Testing, supported through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
For community-based testing, the DOH, in coordination with the county and private sector partners, will continue to expand free testing opportunities.
• The County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i District Health Office (KDHO) offer testing at the War Memorial Convention Hall on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• A testing van providing services one day a week to the Kekaha, Kilauea, Kalaheo, Hanalei, and Kapa‘a Neighborhood Centers to provide free same-day rapid testing.
• Community-based free testing is also available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CVS/Longs in Kapa‘a.
To avoid additional wait times, please complete your preregistration form at preventcovidhi.com.
Visit kauai.gov/covid-19 to find the most up-to-date information on testing and vaccination.
