Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 7, 1 July 2015 — FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Waimānalo Health Center kicked off in June the puhlie launeh of its $1 3 million capital eampaign to build a two-story, 1 7,753-square-foot outpatienkare facility. The building, to be built on land leased from the state a few doors down from its current home at 41-1347 Kalaniana'ole Highway, will house medical, behavioral health, vision, pharmacy, nutrition and support services, while dental, youth and administrative services will remain in the current facility. Construction is set to begin in 201 6, with doors opening by 201 7. The federally qualified health center serves the area from Makapu'u Point to Kualoa State Park, focusing its eommuni-ty-based efforts on Native Hawaiians in Waimānalo, who comprise 6,488, or 65 percent, of the town's populahon. As the center works to improve the health and well-

ness of individuals regardless of ability to pay, it has seen a 30 percent increase in patients and patientvisits in the pastfive years. Pictured from left, are: Mitch D'Olier of Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, whieh has pledged $2 million to the Ola I Ka Wai capital campaign; former OHA Trustee Oswald Stender; former WHC medical director and honorary campaign chair Dr. Charman Akina; WHC chief medical officer Dr. Christina Kealoha Lee; WHC CEO Mary Oneha; general campaign chair Noa Dettweiler-Pa-via; OHA Trustee Haunani Apoliona; and OHA Ka Pouhana Kamana'opono Crabbe. Inset: A health fair ran alongside the puhlie launeh of Waimānalo Health Center's eapital campaign. Here, WHC's Raquel Glassman, left, and Lovely Bayani offered information on the center's prenatal programs, including a program supported by OHA, Pōhai Ke Aloha, whieh provides expectant mothers with information and resources to build a strong and loving 'ohana. Others participating in the health fair included Castle Medieal Center, American Cancer Society, Nahonal Kidney Foundation of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Health Connector and Straub Clinic & Hospital. - Photos: LisaAsato