The Hawaii National Guard on Friday in Hilo dropped off a delivery of 200,000 surgical masks donated by Every1 Hawaii.
Every1 Hawaii, a nonprofit based in Oahu, took action to get masks made in China to the state. With the help of a few donors, Hawaiian Airlines made the trip to pick up masks and bring them to the islands.
The National Guard used transport helicopters to distribute the masks to the neighbor islands throughout the week.
“After realizing how important masks were during the pandemic, we knew we had to come up with an idea,” Kuhao Zane, volunteer with Every1 Hawaii, said. “We wanted to find the best way to get masks to all the underserved communities in the state.”
Every1 Hawaii is working with Vibrant Hawaii to help circulate masks across the Big Island to charitable organizations as well as deliver to areas that have the most need.
“In less than 24 hours, we had 59 islandwide organizations make requests for masks,” Janice Ikeda, community leader at Vibrant Hawaii said. “There at least 50,000 individuals we know of that need masks today.”
The goal for Every1 Hawaii and Vibrant Hawaii is to get the masks to vulnerable and resource-limited individuals as soon as possible.
Vibrant Hawaii made it clear that organizations such as churches and shelters will be receiving only the amount of masks that can be used presently.
“These masks are not meant to be stockpiled,” Ikeda said. “We want these out in the community in the next two weeks.”
After the first batch of masks is distributed, Hawaii Island will receive 10,000 donated cloth masks as a follow-up.
“I think masks are going to continue to be important even after the pandemic,” Zane said. “They may just be something that is essential for everyone from here on out.”
Meanwhile Friday, the state Department of Health reported the deaths of two Oahu residents from COVID-19, bringing the state’s total death count from the novel coronavirus to 14.
Both victims were men over than 65 years old who had underlying health issues, according to the DOH. One victim had traveled to Las Vegas in March; the other contracted the disease through community-associated spread.
“(My wife) Dawn and I join all of Hawaii in expressing our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these men,” said Gov. David Ige in a statement. “While the death rate from coronavirus in Hawaii is among the lowest in the nation, the tragic passing of these men today emphasizes the need for social distancing, staying home when sick, washing hands and other measures to protect everyone and prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths.”
Five new cases reported Friday bring the statewide COVID-19 count to 601. Statewide, 455 have been released from isolation.
One new case was reported on Hawaii Island Friday, bringing the Big Island’s total to 69. According to the DOH, 40 have been released from isolation.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com