Helping Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines - Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi was privileged to be a part of ground breaking services to meet the needs of our Hawai‘i island communities since March, with our Community Health Workers (CHWs) at the forefront of the efforts.

Throughout March, we first began with Hilo Medical Center at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium to assist in their mass vaccination POD (point of dispensing) for the Hilo community, pictured right. Hundreds of community members lined up to get their dose that resulted in vaccinating 500 individuals per hour to hit the 4,000 dose distribution mark.

Alongside Bay Clinic Inc. Nā'ālehu and Ka'ū Rural Hospital Clinic and Ka'ū Rural Health Community Association Inc., we assisted in providing the Ka'ū community with their first and second doses of the vaccination, reaching our southernmost district.

Traveling down to the last fishing village on Hawaiʻi island, Miloli‘i, we assisted U.S. Representative Kaialiʻi Kahele and Bay Clinic Inc. in distributing the first ever one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccination directly to a specific, isolated community. Our dedicated CHWs also provided health care services including blood pressure readings, referrals, health resource distribution, and door-to-door outreach for the village community.

Through April, we returned back to the Hilo community by assisting Bay Clinic Inc. at the Keaukaha vaccination POD. We revisited the Kaʻū community by assisting with the Pāhala vaccination POD, this time teaming up with Kaiser Permanente. Finally, in April, we spent time with our North Hawaiʻi community, joining Hāmākua-Kohala Health Centers in distributing vaccine in Honokaʻa.

In May, we reached further into our rural ʻāpana (districts) by assisting Bay Clinic, Inc. at the Makuʻu Market vaccination POD, a well-known gathering place to connect with our Puna ʻohana. Finally, we visited our Oceanview community twice to assist Bay Clinic, Inc. in bringing the two-step vaccinations to them.

What’s next? We continue to work with community health organizations to distribute vaccinations and to assist in keeping our Hawaiian nation a strong and healthy place. To sign up for a free vaccine nearest you, visit vaccines.gov or text 438829 to 1-800-232-0233.

About Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Incorporated in 1991, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi serves as the Native Hawaiian Health Care System for Hawaiʻi island, providing medical, behavioral health, and community education services with the sole objective of improving access to quality healthcare, education, and services for the people of Hawaiʻi. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi is dedicated to improving the health & well-being of Hawaiʻi island so that all residents can Live Longer & Feel Better, Together.