Ka'ū News Briefs Monday, August 28, 2017

Keiki sing "Happy Birthday" while learning proper hand washing techniques demonstrated at Mālama Nā Keiki Festival. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Hula Hālau Lei o Nālani entertain attendees. Photo by Alan Moores

OVER A HUNDRED KEIKI AND THEIR 'OHANA gathered at Nā‘ālehu Park to enjoy the free first annual Mālama Nā Keiki Festival organized by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi on Saturday, August 26. Debbie Ryder’s Hālau Hula Lei o Nālani performed as keiki and ‘ohana explored the many booths available.
      Upon arrival, attendees were asked to register and receive a “passport” for each person to present at each booth, a reward was offered to those who were able to verify that they had attended all 25 stations arranged under 12 main tents, with ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou offering shaved ice in the twelfth tent. An obstacle course located in the middle of the courtyard (tents were arranged along the perimeter of a large rectangle) offered keiki a fun way to release extra energy throughout the day.

Hula Hālau Lei o Nālani keiki performers. Photo by Alan Moores

     The second tent (registration and raffle tickets occupied the first tent) offered Prenatal Education, information about the importance of immunizations and sign-up opportunities for Healthy Hapai classes.
     The third tent offered information about Breast Cancer Awareness while showing both women and men how to do a self-exam and handing out necklaces made with various sized wooden beads (representing tumors) as personal reminders to get checked as well as a specially designed plastic sheet to aid self-examination. Also in the third tent was an exercise for keiki to make photo frames using markers and fruit stickers alongside a display of colorful fruits and vegetables arranged in a rainbow with information about the benefits of “eating the rainbow.”

Display at Mālama Nā Keiki Festival illustrating the benefits of "eat[ing] the rainbow."Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Willing keiki received free hearing exams. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

   The fourth tent offered free hearing screenings for keiki, though no child was forced to participate, as well as a demonstration about the importance of staying active. Height and weight measurements were taken and children were challenged to jump the length of their body.
     The fifth tent demonstrated proper hand washing techniques, asking keiki to sing “Happy Birthday” while lathering their hands with soap, before offering an array of fresh fruit, vegetable and sandwiches and wraps for everyone to enjoy. A hydration station of cooled water was also available.
     The sixth tent offered a large bag of food to all attendees courtesy of Food Basket, the parent organization of Ka‘ū Food Pantry. Substance abuse information and help pamphlets were also available at the sixth tent, courtesy of Big Island Substance Abuse Council.

NIU Hawai'i LLC founde Ka'anohiokala Pe'a demonstrates to keiki massage techniques. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

     The seventh tent offered representatives from PATCH - Hawai‘i’s only child care resource and referral agency, Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool, where keiki could practice their counting skills using dot art, and PARENTS, Inc. Also present was NIU (Nurturing is Universal) Hawai'i LLC founder Ka‘anohiokala Pe‘a, a licensed massage therapist specializing in pediatric and adult massage therapy who explained how beneficial touch therapy can be to those with autism and those in neonatal care. He taught basic lessons in massage to keiki using play dough and explained to them that when they or a family member is feeling stressed, massage is a great way to relieve that stress. He demonstrated that when massage is not an option, play dough can also offer a way to work that tension or frustration out. Pe‘a is also a certified infant massage teacher and offers classes and workshops around the island.

Keiki were welcomed to plant and take home personalized a pot with soil and a green bean seed. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

     The eighth tent offered keiki the opportunity to immerse their hands in soil and plant a green bean seedling to take home. Older keiki were able to test their diagnostic skills with a list of symptoms and pictures. Representatives were available from KTA Pharmacy, Family Support Hawai'i, West Hawai‘i Early Headstart.
     The ninth tent offered representatives from WIC, Bay Clinic, and Bay Clinic Dental.
     The Project Vision Hawai‘i Vision Van took place in the tenth tent position with free vision screenings available.

'O Ka'ū Kākou handed out free shaved ice to attendees. Photo by Alan Moores

     Keiki ID’s courtesy of the Hawai'i County Police Department along with representatives of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney were available in the eleventh tent.
     To learn more about Hui Mālama, visit hmano.org.

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HELP FOR HARVEY VICTIMS: KA'Ū'S CONGRESSWOMAN Tulsi Gabbard is asking citizens here to assist those in need after category four Hurricane Harvey, followed by torrential rains and extreme flooding, destroyed and drove people from their homes across eastern Texas. Gabbard issued this statement today:
     "Our nation's eyes and prayers are with those in Texas as Hurricane Harvey continues to pour down torrential rain across the Gulf Coast. With catastrophic flooding and tens of thousands of people stranded without relief, every bit of help we offer can make a difference.
 "The people of Texas are in dire need of diapers, baby formula, hygiene and sanitary items, medical supplies, non-perishable food, clothing, clean water, shelter, and more. Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Galveston, Houston, and surrounding communities have been totally inundated, and local emergency services are operating beyond capacity. More than nine million people in the metro area are affected, many of whom have lost their homes, cars, and possessions to flooding that experts say will continue to get worse before it gets better."
     Gabbard recommends making a donation to the "Houston Food Bank, the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, the American Red Cross, or any other local disaster relief organization of your choosing.
     "A terrible, tragic event such as this offers little to be optimistic about, but especially during times like this, we find hope in our hands and spirits joining together to help one another. If we act together at this moment, we can not only help Texas heal, but begin to bring together our country. We can rise above the present adversity and prove our resolve to heal the bitter differences that have pulled us apart. We are all Americans, and what affects one of us affects us all.
     "This disaster will take years to recover from, but our collective spirit is stronger than the wind or the rain. Let us live aloha and show the people of Texas that they are not alone and not forgotten. We are here for them," said Gabbard.