The Waikiki Health Center's mobile clinics on the North Shore, due to close this month when money ran out, will remain open through June because of several grants. Grants keep N. Shore’s
3 mobile clinics openBy Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.comA Star-Bulletin story Feb. 28 reported the plight of the Ho'ola Like (Healers Together) Outreach project, consisting of three mobile clinics in Haleiwa, Kahaluu and Punaluu.
The Rev. Frank Chong, executive director of the health center, said if funds were not found to keep the program going, it would be closed the middle of this month.
Mary Spadaro, director of development at the center, said it has received $74,000 in grants "which will buy us a few more months ... in hopes additional funds will be sought."
The Hawaii Medical Service Association Foundation provided $49,000 for the program, and the Hawaii Community Foundation contributed $25,000.
Another grant of $5,000 from the Hawaiian Electric Industries Foundation will begin in June, Spadaro said.
"The crisis isn't over yet, but we've got a little more breathing space to seek additional support," she said.
The mobile clinics provide medical care for up to 150 underinsured and uninsured patients a month.
The Haleiwa clinic is held all day on Tuesdays at Queen Liliuokalani Protestant Church. The team is at the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center in Punaluu Thursday mornings and at the KEY Project in Kahaluu on Friday mornings.