Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi announced a $6,500 award from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs ‘Ahahui Grants program. This grant award supports the second annual Malama Na Keiki Festival and its objectives to increase prenatal care, improve birth outcomes, and enrich positive parenting skills of Hawaii Island ohana.
The festival will be held at Naalehu Park in Ka‘u 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 28. Expecting mothers, women considering pregnancy, young families, and supporting ohana are invited for a day of health education, community resources, and interactive keiki activities. Local health agencies will be in attendance to share about health services available to families. Some highlights include early Head Start enrollment assistance with Family Support Hawaii, dental health education with Bay Clinic, keiki car seat facts with Hawaii Child Passenger Safety Program, and electrical safety with Hawaii Electric Light.
Free health screenings for participants include vision exams with Project Vision Hawaii, hearing screenings, and immunization information.
The event also offers locally-sourced healthy food, music, keiki performances, zumba, and more. All event activities are free and open to the public.
Last summer’s first Malama Na Keiki Festival, also generously funded by OHA, launched the new Hui Malama Healthy Hapai prenatal program that provides expecting parents with hands-on learning about maternity health and wellness practices.
The free five-session program is offered island-wide in Hilo, North Hawaii, Kona, Ka‘u, and Puna areas throughout the year. At this year’s Malama Na Keiki Festival, the Healthy Hapai program facilitator, Leila Ryusaki, will lead a breastfeeding mini-class and host a prenatal panel with specialists in lactation and breastfeeding, birthing strategies, and women’s health.
“Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi is thankful to OHA for their generosity, attention to the needs of our people, and efforts for the community,” said executive director Louis Hao. “With their support, we are able to bring more health education and resources to Hawaii Island. Mahalo nui loa.”
With the generous support of the OHA ‘Ahahui Grants program, Hui Malama will further help the community to develop a strong network of prenatal and postnatal support, and learn best practices to prevent potential health problems, raise healthy happy children, strengthen family, and fulfill the OHA and Hui Malama shared goal of a strong and healthy Hawaiian nation. The nonprofit Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi is dedicated to improving the wellness and well-being of Hawaii Island so that all residents can “Live Longer and Feel Better, Together.”
Hui Malama Ola Na ‘Oiwi serves as the Native Hawaiian health care system for Hawaii Island, providing community health and education services with the sole objective of improving access to quality healthcare, education and services for the people of Hawaii County.
For more information, visit www.hmono.org.