Posts in Family Medicine
Safe Halloween 2021

Aloha ‘Ohana - here are a few safe practices for Halloween 2021 from our friends at the Hawai’i Department of Health. 

  • Being outdoors is safer than indoors.

  • Trick-or-treat ins small groups outdoors or enjoy outdoor activities.

  • Avoid crowded indoor parties.

Have fun out there!

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#staywell
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What We Can Learn From Hawaii’s Past Pandemics

Aloha ‘Ohana! Here is an important follow-up to yesterday’s post. Vaccine mandates did just happen on the mainland. The Hawaii monarchy was ahead of its time when it came to addressing public health.

Our staff wanted to share a wonderful article published by Honolulu Civil Beat late last year that highlighted how the Hawaiian Monarchy was ahead of its time when it came to addressing public health.

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What We Can Learn From Hawaii’s Past Pandemics

On Jan. 20, 1881, a large crowd gathered in Honolulu Harbor to bid farewell to King David Kalakaua, who was leaving for a yearlong diplomacy tour around the world.

Less than a week after he left, in part to work on labor negotiations with other countries, a foreign ship entered Oahu’s bustling harbor carrying Chinese laborers sick with smallpox — a disease that 30 years prior had killed 10% of the Native Hawaiian population.

Before his departure, Kalakaua had appointed his sister, Princess Lili‘uokalani, to govern in his place. It was a huge responsibility for any ruler – let alone an acting ruler who had no way to communicate with the king.

The decisions Lili‘uokalani made to keep people safe – and the pushback she received from angry citizens and frustrated business owners who didn’t want to quarantine or close down business activity – should sound familiar to people living through the coronavirus pandemic today.

Hawaii’s long history of dealing with foreign diseases made the Hawaiian monarchy ahead of its time when it came to addressing health issues. And Hanohano is not the only teacher looking to the past for lessons on how to get through the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

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View the entire article on Honolulu Civil Beat by clicking on the link below:

https://www.civilbeat.org/.../what-we-can-learn-from.../

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History of Vaccine Mandates

Aloha ‘Ohana - did know that vaccine mandates are nothing new in the U.S.? Despite what you might have heard, vaccine mandates are not new - they’re not even new to this century! Vaccine mandates have been around in this country since 1777.

Flip through the slides below to take a walk through the history of vaccine mandates in the United States. If you haven’t already, please call our staff at (8089) 293-9231 to make your vaccination appointment today. 

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New Staff!

Aloha ‘Ohana - we are very excited to welcome Dr. Darren Day to the Ko’olauloa Health Care staff.

Dr. Day is a board-qualified podiatrist/foot & ankle surgeon at the Academy Foot Center of Hawaii. Dr. Day's comprehensive training includes diagnosis and treatment of all disorders in the lower extremity. His professional interests include trauma, advanced foot and ankle reconstruction, podiatric orthopedics, sports medicine, diabetic care, and bunion correction.

Dr. Day believes in treating his patients like family, taking the time necessary to understand their needs. His patient-focused care allows him to work with his patients to achieve their specific goals while employing an evidence-based, yet individualized approach.

Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Dr. Day graduated from Kahuku High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He then pursued a Medical degree at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Following graduation, he completed a 3-year podiatric medical and surgical residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Mercy Regional Health Medical Center in Cleveland Ohio, where he trained under several leaders in the field of podiatric surgery and served as chief resident during his last year.

Dr. Day is passionate about contributing to the healing of his patients and is thrilled to be back home where he can serve the people of Hawaii. Outside of work, Dr. Day enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and loves being outdoors - especially when he’s surfing, hiking, or running.
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CDC

Aloha ‘Ohana - here is some encouraging news from the CDC. 

As of October 18, 2021, 219 million people, or about 66.0% of the U.S. population, have received at least one dose of a #COVID19 vaccine. Of those, 189.3 million, or about 57% of the U.S. population, are fully vaccinated.

Everyone ages 12 and older is eligible to get a free COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re not fully vaccinated, call our helpful staff at (808) 293-9231to make your vaccination appointment today. We can beat this!

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#bewell

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Vaccines are Crucial
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Aloha ‘Ohana!

A lot of things are getting postponed this year, but your child’s vaccinations shouldn’t be one of them. Some people are avoiding the doctor’s office for everything but the essentials. Statistics show immunizations have declined about 40% in spring 2020. That’s not a good thing – here’s why. Pediatricians are concerned this delay could trigger an outbreak of other highly contagious diseases with potentially worse complications than COVID-19 for children, like measles or whooping cough.

It’s easy to take immunizations for granted because we don’t hear about many serious outbreaks anymore. However, diseases like measles haven’t been eradicated. They are just kept at bay as long as children stay vaccinated.

Staying on schedule protects everyone. When families get behind schedule, it means that a child doesn’t have immunity until they get caught up. We know that immunizations help to protect the health of not only your child but everyone around them as well – especially those who are immune-compromised and vulnerable. Vaccines are also required for school, daycare, and sports participation.

Yes, it’s safe to come to Ko’olauloa Health Center.

Ko’olauloa Health Center is committed to keeping you safe while providing care. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Extra safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols

  • Reduction in the number of visitors

  • Masks required upon entry

Call (808) 293-9231 to set up your appointment today.

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#bewell

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#StopTheSpread

Vaccines Work!
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Aloha ‘Ohana! Did you know that vaccines protect you against more than 20 diseases? Yes, they do! Here they are:

  • COVID-19

  • Cervical Cancer

  • Cholera

  • Diphtheria

  • Ebola

  • Hepatitis B

  • Influenza

  • Japanese Encephalitis

  • Measles

  • Meningitis

  • Mumps

  • Pertussis

  • Pneumonia

  • Polio

  • Rabies

  • Rotavirus

  • Rubella

  • Tetanus

  • Typhoid

  • Varicella

  • Yellow Fever

Talk to your health care provider to ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date for you and your family. Call (808) 293-9231 to get your COVID-19 vaccination. We would be very happy to help you. Mahalo!

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#VaccinesWork

Family Guy

Aloha ‘Ohana! 

Here is a fun video. Watch Brian and Stewie from ‘Family Guy’ explain the COVID vaccine. Have a great Aloha Thursday and be safe out there. 

Call (808) 293-9231 to schedule your appointment with our helpful staff if you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet. Mahalo!

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#stopthespread

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Pop Quiz
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Aloha ‘Ohana - pop quiz: what are the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

1. Getting vaccinated protects yourself and the people around you.

2. Getting vaccinated boosts your immune system.

3. Getting vaccinated helps prevent serious illness.

Please get vaccinated. Call us at (808) 293-9231 to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination today.

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#stopthespread

Fit Tip Friday
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Aloha ‘Ohana - its Fit Tip Friday here at Ko’olauloa Health Center

Of course, the weekend should be all fun and games. But don’t let that derail the hard work you’ve been putting into your fitness routine all week long. Whether you’re embarking on a weight loss or fitness journey, here are a few tips from our staff on how to enjoy the weekend without ruining your progress.

- Use Exercise To Support Your Mood

- Realize Diet And Exercise Are Intertwined

- Eat Healthy 80 Percent Of The Time

- Keep Healthy Snacks On Hand

- Limit Your Alcohol Intake

- Disconnect

Remember to mask up and stay safe out there this weekend. Cheers!

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Kahuku Football!
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Aloha ‘Ohana!

With everything happening in our daily lives, you may have missed this: last month (August 26, 2021) the OIA announced a new tentative fall sports schedule with football beginning Oct. 15, 2021. This includes Kahuku High School football.

All public school sports leagues were forced to push back the start of the fall sports schedule to early October when the Department of Education announced, “all student-athletes, athletic staff, and volunteers will need to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 24 to participate in school-sanctioned athletic activities for the 2021-22 school year. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.”

The newest OIA football schedule has the season beginning on Oct. 15 with five games and four more on Oct. 16. There are seven teams for a six-game regular season in the Open Division — Kahuku, Mililani, Campbell, Farrington, Kapolei, Leilehua, Waianae.

The top four seeds in the Open Division will advance to the playoffs beginning on Dec. 3 with the final played on Dec. 10. The top two seeds in Division I will play a championship game on Dec. 11.

The new schedule also notes the first state tournament semifinal in the Open Division will be the weekend of Dec. 17.

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This all means that to participate, coach, or volunteer within our beloved Kahuku Football program, you must be fully vaccinated. Please call (808) 293-9231 to schedule your vaccination appointment with our friendly staff today.

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Click on the link below to view the complete 2021 Kahuku Football Schedule

https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/kahuku-red-raiders-(kahuku,hi)/football/schedule.htm

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The 7 Stages of COVID-19
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Aloha ‘Ohana, 

While we prefer to keep our posts light and hopeful, sometimes it’s important to show the other side of what’s happening here in our community. 

For those not in medicine or are unvaccinated, please read to spare yourself from preventable heartache. You may think you mean well and are trying to be informed. However, safe and informed looks like the New England Journal of Medicine, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials, and CDC guidelines based on the work of trained epidemiologists who understand the dynamics of population health. While you may mean well, your hesitancy is causing a ripple effect of pain, that’s a riptide for the fragile network of loved ones we are lucky to have at this moment.

The 7 Stages of COVID

Have you ever wondered what happens to those with severe COVID-19 infections in the hospital? Read through the 7 stages of severe COVID-19 infection to learn about the harrowing hospital stays many patients endure. 

Having one-on-one conversations is the best way to help your loved ones understand the importance of getting vaccinated and to understand how their decision could impact them and their families.  

As of 8/31, 88% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Hawaii are unvaccinated patients. Help prevent your loved ones from becoming part of this statistic. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent severe COVID-19 infection. 

Call our staff at (808) 293-9231 to schedule your appointment today.

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#bewell

#staywell

#stopthespread

Our Kuleana
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Aloha Ohana!

Labor Day Weekend is coming up and as much as we would love to come together with our family and friends, we all need to do our part to keep our families safe from COVID-19. Protect your keiki and loved ones by postponing parties this weekend. Please wear a mask, stay home if you are sick. If you haven’t already - get vaccinated if you are 12 or older.

Call (808) 293-9231 to schedule your appointment at KHC today.

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#ourkuleana

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Do Your Part

Aloha Ohana!

The key to getting through this pandemic together is for ALL of us to do our part. This means getting vaccinated, masking up, and keeping a safe distance. Our community is heavily affected by the spread of COVID. It’s important for us all to do what we can.

Did you know that one person can spread the delta variant to as many as 8 people? Please do your part to keep Hawaii safe and STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. If you have symptoms, GET TESTED. If you haven’t already, please call our helpful staff at (808) 291-9231 to make an appointment.

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Stay Safe
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Aloha Ohana!

Happy Monday. Some of you have been asking for tips on how to stay safe against COVID-19. These are the most important recommendations from our staff:

  • Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn.

  • Wear a mask (even after getting vaccinated).

  • Keep a safe distance (even after getting vaccinated).

  • Avoid crowds (even after getting vaccinated).

  • Clean your hands (even after getting vaccinated).

  • Cover coughs and sneezes (even after getting vaccinated).

If you, a family member, or a friend haven’t gotten your vaccination yet - call (808) 293-9231 to schedule your appointment today. 

Mahalo!

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What We Love...

Aloha Ohana,

Here is a great re-post from our good friends at the Hawaii Department of Health.

The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best path toward saving lives, safe in-school learning, and getting back to doing what we love. Protect yourself against COVID-19, including the delta variant, by getting a safe, effective, and free vaccine today.

Please call our friendly staff at (808) 293-9231 to make your vaccination appointment today.

Learn more at health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019

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Vaccine Hesitancy
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Aloha Ohana,

This week, the FDA gave full authorization to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

However, much of the population Ko’olauloa area is still unvaccinated, and the delta variant is continuing to surge. The reasons some are reluctant to get vaccinated are varied — but we know that getting vaccinated is the number one way we will get ourselves out of this pandemic and ensure a healthy society for decades to come.

Our staff at @koolauloa.health.center has shared a few tips for having conversations with loved ones in your life who may be hesitant to get vaccinated. Swipe right to read our team’s suggestions.

Call our friendly staff at (808) 293-9231 to make an appointment for a friend or family member.

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#bewell

#staywell

#stopthespread