WAIMEA — Nearly 30 people showed up Saturday at the corner of Pukalani Road and Ala Ohia Road for the launch of North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) and The Queen’s Health Systems Native Hawaiian Health’s new walking program.
WAIMEA — Nearly 30 people showed up Saturday at the corner of Pukalani Road and Ala Ohia Road for the launch of North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) and The Queen’s Health Systems Native Hawaiian Health’s new walking program.
Open to all Waimea residents, Dr. Natalie Kehau Kong from NHCH’s North Hawaii Health &Wellness department led the group on the free, one-hour, 2-mile walk that will continue at 8 a.m. each Saturday moving forward.
”We encourage getting out and doing something regularly,” Dr. Kong told the group. “And we’ll have a brief health discussion each week.”
Saturday’s topic was high blood pressure.
The new group is part of a worldwide “Walk with a Doc” program with more than 300 chapters, including three in Hawaii. The Waimea program addresses current health issues Native Hawaiians and others in the community face by encouraging physical activity for people of all ages.
Walkers should check with their primary care provider before walking if they have any health concerns. No sign-up is required to participate in the Waimea walk. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella, as the walk will be held regardless of weather.
Questions: Call Liana Honda at NHCH at 881-4432 or email LiHonda@Queens.org
