Graduate student Darrian Muraoka wiped her eyes Friday morning after squinting through a COVID-19 test at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Muraoka and her friend, Nahi Pilago, decided to participate in free coronavirus testing at Vulcan Gym to make sure they are virus free before starting school.
“I was happy to see that the university gave us an opportunity to test for free, and I wanted to take advantage of that,” Muraoka said. “I’m not too worried, but I did travel to Kauai recently and stopped in Oahu.”
As a graduate student, Muraoka will have more in-person classes than undergraduate students, but is not worried about reuniting with her out-of-state classmates.
“The masters students from out of state that I know have been in quarantine and have been asked to attend the first week of classes online,” Muraoka said. “Some others I know decided to stay on the mainland and take their classes from home, which is appreciated.”
Although the virus continues to spread throughout the island and state, Muraoka and Pilago are excited to start school again.
“I was slightly nervous, but UH has been using a lot of protective measures and following safe protocols,” Pilago said. “I know they have been good about monitoring the students that have been quarantining at hotels.”
While some out-of-state students arrived recently and are still in quarantine, some arrived earlier this summer and are done with their 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Freshman Jacqueline DeMers moved from Alaska to attend school in Hilo. After quarantining for two weeks, she decided to get tested Friday before her roommate moved in from a neighboring island.
“I feel confident that I don’t have it, but I just want to make sure,” DeMers said. “Everything has been really weird this year, but I’m ready to see what happens.”
According to DeMers, Alaska has been cautious and restrictive to help protect the many villages that might not have access to close medical care.
“Alaska is isolated just like Hawaii, so I am used to being very cautious right now,” DeMers said. “I didn’t have a graduation, my job at a gym was completely different this summer, and starting school here has been crazy, too.”
DeMers said that most of her classes would be online after the first couple weeks. The only classes that will require in-person attendance this semester will be two of her laboratory classes, which require hands-on education.
Hilo resident Shaun Muneno was informed about the testing during his first-year orientation on Thursday. The orientation was a mix of students mostly from the neighbor islands, with a few being from out of state.
“About half of the orientation group showed up, so I think most of them are quarantining or doing online classes,” Muneno said. “I’m not worried that I caught COVID, but I thought it would be safe to get tested since it was free.”
Next month, Premier Medical Group plans to offer free testing to students that are living on campus.
“We have plans to offer testing for students again on September 1 and September 18 right now,” Dr. Kaohimanu Akiona said.
UH junior Josh Wilson decided to stop by and get tested, so he can protect is family.
“I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to bring anything home to my family,” Wilson said. “My mom and brother are teachers here and need to stay healthy for their jobs.”
Although students continue to arrive from the mainland, Wilson was not as worried about catching the virus at school.
“I was more worried about getting the virus from my public job, not necessarily school,” Wilson said. “I think UH is doing a good job about keeping all of us safe and updating us about the students in quarantine.”
UH-Hilo will begin its term Monday entirely online, with possible exceptions for nursing and pharmacy students.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com