In observance of National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Malama Pono of Kaua‘i will host an informational open house at its office today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jason Yaris, Prevention Lead and HIV Tester/Counselor at Malama Pono, said today
In observance of National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Malama Pono of Kaua‘i will host an informational open house at its office today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jason Yaris, Prevention Lead and HIV Tester/Counselor at Malama Pono, said today is a day for people to think about the effects of HIV.
“It’s about getting tested and learning more about it,” Yaris said.
Because HIV/AIDS is affecting Native Hawaiians, American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide, the National Congress of American Indians decreed today as a special day to promote awareness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 417 Asians and Pacific Islanders were given the diagnosis for HIV/AIDS in 2005.
“The nationwide numbers (of natives with HIV/AIDS) seem low, but there are not a lot of natives left,” Yaris said. “They wanted to protect their people.”
According to Malama Pono, the National Congress of American Indians hopes to prevent the spread of the disease by encouraging HIV testing to preserve themselves and their descendants.
As part of the open house, volunteers from Malama Pono will be showing a video entitled “Breaking the Silence, Strengthening the Spirit,” and conducting free HIV and Hepatitis C tests.
“Our tests are free, confidential and anonymous,” Yaris said. “The only way to know is to get tested. It’s really about preserving your life.”
The Malama Pono office is located at 4357 Rice St., Suite 101 in Lihu‘e.
• For more information on the open house, call 246-9577.
