Hepatitis B tests will be available for no cost
Free hepatitis B tests and immunizations will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, 19 N. Pauahi St., in Chinatown.
Because of the high incidence of hepatitis among Pacific Islanders and developing countries, the event is targeted at the Micronesian community, said Ken Akinaka of the Hepatitis Prevention, Education, Treatment & Support Network of Hawaii.
People who know any Micronesians are asked to notify them of the session, in which doctors and nurses will provide testing and vaccinations free of charge, he said in a news release.
Data presented by Akinaka indicates 7 percent to 20 percent of Asian and Pacific Island immigrants are infected with hepatitis B and most don't know they have it, making it a silent epidemic.
Hawaii has the highest rate of liver cancer in the United States resulting from hepatitis, he said.
In conjunction with the hepatitis B event on Aug. 11, Nuclear Free Month will be marked to honor Micronesians who suffered from U.S. nuclear testing more than 50 years ago.
Nuclear contamination made many islands unlivable for decades and caused cancers and other illnesses.
Canisius T. Filibert, Micronesian Community Network president, invites the public to attend presentations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a film showing effects of nuclear testing on the islands.
He asked people to enjoy cultural presentations by Micronesians and to join in recovery efforts in education, entrepreneurship, life skills training and health concerns.
Members of the Micronesian Community Network represent the Federated States of Micronesia, including Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.
The network is supported by advisers Mary Matayoshi, executive director, Volunteer Resource Center of Hawaii, and Barbara Tom, public health nursing and facilitator of the Nations of Micronesia-Service Providers Collaboration group, and Helen Sanpei, president, McKinley Community School for Adults, on interim assignment as principal of McKinley High School.
For more information, contact Filibert at cfilibert@gmail.com or call 221-6204 or e-mail kenakinaka@aol.com, or Dr. Alan Tice, infectious disease specialist, 373-3488.