KEALAKEKUA – The Lions Club of Kona sponsored the third annual Health Fair Saturday at Konawaena Elementary School in Kealakekua.
Vision, dental, hearing, blood pressure and blood glucose screenings were available for the community free of charge along with information booths from local service organizations.
“We are trying to be a major partner in our community to promote health, education and awareness.” said Lions 1st Vice President Jack Vore. “We partner with other organizations to bring in enough health providers to get low income, people with no insurance and the underinsured proper screening. This provides the place and opportunity to do that.” said Vore.
Jesus Peralta agrees. He came with his two children for the free vision screening.
“It’s a nice thing for the people” he said, adding that he will come back next year.
Project Vision Director of Community Health Renae Mathson was conducting vision screenings in their mobile unit.
“Health Care is important to the community” she said. “People without health insurance need to be screened. Even people with insurance who are afraid of doctors need to know if they are at risk of something that can cause blindness.”
“For keiki, vision goes hand in hand with the ability to learn” Mathson added.”If they can’t see the chalkboard, they can’t learn”
A maze was set up with cardboard box obstacles strategically placed so participants wearing a blindfold and using a stick could try to navigate life as a blind person. Lexie Sasaki Lindsy thought it was “great” to experience temporary blindness, but was quick to remove her blindfold at the end of the experience. The maze was created to give appreciation for sight.
Walter Lanwi of West Hawaii Community Health Center stressed that the reason they were participating in the event was to let the community know that they are here and what resources are available.
“We are here to get out of our bubble and let the community know what services are available to them” said Lanwi.
Cynthia Velazquez, a mother of three, agrees. “We knew about this because my keiki attend Konawaena Elementary. I think it’s awesome”