Hospital announces visitor policy change
Effective today, one screened visitor with proof of vaccination will be allowed for inpatients at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea during visiting hours, which are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Visitors must be age 18 and older and have had their final dose of an FDA-EUA COVID19 vaccination, providing proof with a vaccination card or an electronic copy. Visitors are required to wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth at all times and no eating or drinking is allowed. Out-of-state or international visitors must also present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.
Limited exceptions may be made in certain situations such as pediatric or maternity patients and end-of-life care; additional screening will be required.
‘Happy Days’ returns
KTA Super Stores is bringing “Happy Days” back to Hawaii Island’s seniors as it launches a whole month of kupuna appreciation activities across its seven stores.
During the month of September, KTA shoppers help fund a donation that benefits the Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Elderly Division and their 24 islandwide senior clubs. In addition, KTA will host contests and provide tips for supporting kupuna on their social media throughout the month.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, all clubs were suspended to ensure the safety and well-being of the seniors. The clubs were scheduled to reopen in August, but the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant has resulted in a delay in the reopening.
These fundraising efforts will, with the support of the community, help ensure that when the clubs are able to reopen that they are able to fully meet all of the recreational, emotional and support needs of the kupuna.
“Due to COVID-19, a lot of kupuna have been isolated and without socialization, many times resulting in them feeling depressed and alone. While they still aren’t able to go back to ‘normal’ and Senior Clubs still aren’t able to open, the community can still find safe ways to support them. Our kupuna have done so much for us over the years, it’s time to be there for them,” said Derek Kurisu, executive vice president of KTA Super Stores.
Highlights of the promotion include:
• Special weekly sales will run in all KTA stores across the island from today through Oct. 5. Shoppers can visit ktasuperstores.com/savings to learn about each weekly sale.
• Two Instagram contests throughout the month for a chance to win one of six $100 KTA gift cards.
• Kupuna Appreciation Photo Contest: The photo contest will run from Sept. 1 through Sept. 12. Participants should celebrate kupuna and remember their “happy days” with them by posting a photo with #KTAHappyDays on their public Instagram profile, as well as follow and tag @ktasuperstores (must be a Hawaii Island resident and posting on a public profile to enter; for complete contest rules and regulations visit ktasuperstores.com/promotions).
• Sept. 12 is National Grandparents Day. Follow KTA’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages to find tips on how to celebrate grandparents and seniors.
• Happy Days Bingo: The Bingo challenge will run from Sept. 20 to Sept. 30. Participants should screenshot the Bingo card posted in KTA’s Instagram (@ktasuperstores) Stories on Sept. 20. They should then show off how they bring “happy days” to their kupuna by circling as many Bingo spaces as apply. Once completed, they should post the Bingo card to their stories and tag @ktasuperstores by midnight on Sept. 30 (must be a Hawaii Island resident and posting on a public profile to enter; for complete contest rules and regulations visit ktasuperstores.com/promotions).
PTA announces upcoming training, hunting dates
Training during the month of September will increase and involve military units from Oahu (Army and Marines) conducting live-fire training, to include small arms, mortar and artillery fire, drone operations and aerial gunnery with helicopters at Pohakuloa Training Area.
Currently there are no scheduled convoys, however, once vehicle movements are known, an update will be sent to the community.
Hunting for ewe only will be permitted Sept. 12 in the Ahi Hunting Unit. Open lottery hunting will be held Sept. 18 and 19 and Sept. 25 and 26 and a not yet selected location.
For more information, visit the PTA Hunting Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HuntPTA, or call Brian Leo at (808) 315-1545.