ANAHOLA — Louie Ho‘omanawanui was anxious to get his COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday when he pulled up to the mobile-vaccine clinic at the Anahola Marketplace, manned by the collaborative efforts of the Wilcox Health and the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region.
“I was one of those who said I wasn’t going to get vaccinated,” Ho‘omanawanui said. “But the library changed my mind. I like going to the library, and when I went there, I found out I needed to be vaccinated. I’m OK with that, I just going to get vaccinated.”
Ho‘omanawanui received the one-shot Johnson &Johnson, so his wait time before returning to the library would be minimized, at the mobile-vaccine clinic’s first visit to the Anahola Marketplace.
A spokesperson for Wilcox Health said the move was initiated after its previous location at the Anahola Clubhouse following low attendance.
“As of today, 65% of Kaua‘i residents are fully vaccinated, and 70% have gotten at least their first dose,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in his COVID-19 briefing video update on Thursday. “Mahalo, everyone, for doing your part to protect our community. The vaccines are the most-effective tool we have to reduce hospitalizations, deaths and avoid a shutdown.”
School students Kala and Kia‘ana Velasco were among the 70% getting their first dose, receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines at the Anahola Marketplace.
“They only decided last night they would do this,” said mom Kanani Velasco. “They had to get early out from school because this was the closest site, and if they waited for school to end, they would not have made it.”
Kawakami expressed his gratitude to the numerous people getting the shot.
“We’re grateful to each of you who have joined us in getting vaccinated,” Kawakami said. “You can visit one of our mobile clinics in a neighborhood close to you. They are open to ages 12 and up, and no appointments are needed.”
Free mobile clinics will be held at Anaina Hou in Kilauea today from noon to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Also on Saturday, a clinic will take place at the Kaumakani Community Hall from 9 to 11 a.m., and the hospital vaccine van will be at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center from noon to 3 p.m.
The Walmart pharmacy will host a Wellness Day event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccines, other immunizations, including the flu shot, will be available on a walk-in basis.
COVID-19 vaccines are available daily, islandwide. Visit kauai.gov/vaccine for a full list of locations.
To host a community event, request the state Department of Health van to offer vaccines to adults. Visit kauai.gov/vaccine for more information.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
