LIHU‘E — Tropic Care Kaua‘i comes back to Kaua‘i on June 13 and will operate at several sites around Kaua‘i through June 20, said Deputy District Health Officer Lauren Guest to the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday during the council’s regular meeting at the historic County Building.
“Dr. Janet Berreman is on leave, but wanted me to provide an update on Tropic Care 2024 to the county council,” Guest said. “The Kaua‘i District Health Office, in partnership with the County of Kaua‘i, will host the sixth Medical Innovative Readiness Training mission that is also known as Tropic Care.”
Joining Guest in the announcement of Tropic Care were Mission Commander, USAF Captain Ian McEwen, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Shaun Schillady, USAF Master Sergeant Francesca Maliwanag, and USAF Technical Sergeant Gian Vera, who were part of the Tropic Care leadership team of about 15 people who were on-island to plan the 2024 mission.
The site locations for Tropic Care 2024 will include Kapa‘a Middle School from June 13 through 20, Waimea Canyon Middle School from June 13 through 15 and Kilauea Elementary School from June 18 through 20. These clinics will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except for June 20 when all the clinics will close at noon.
The eight-day Tropic Care event will provide no-cost health care services to the community, including physical exams, dermatology, eye exams, eye glass fabrication, dental exams, fillings and extractions.
“Tropic Care services are provided at no cost to the public on a first-come, first-served basis,” Guest said. “Thank you to Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the administration for making The Kaua‘i Bus fixed-route services throughout the island free of charge during the mission to facilitate access to the clinics, as well as for supporting other resource and logistical needs of our military partners.”
Guest said over the years, Tropic Care missions have provided millions of dollars worth of medical, dental and optometry services at no cost to Kaua‘i’s residents.
“We need the community’s support to help make this mission a success,” Guest said. “Please help spread the word to friends and family, and come out to the clinics in June to support our military partners. We appreciate the county council’s assistance in helping to get the word out.”
For more information, visit www.health.hawaii.gov/kauai.
