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Island residents who need protection from New Year's Eve smoke can obtain sanctuary through Safe Haven 2001. ‘Safe Havens’ offer
smoke-free respite
on New Year’s EveBy Helen Altonn
Star-BulletinHealth professionals also will provide information on how to cope with smoke at booths to be set up by the Straub Foundation starting Sunday.
The American Lung Association of Hawaii initiated the Safe Haven project last year after public requests.
Private organizations joined with the association to offer Safe Haven 2000 sanctuaries for residents suffering from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other pulmonary diseases, or who just wanted to escape from the fireworks smoke and noise.
"It is a community problem which needs to be resolved by community efforts," said Douglas Yee, first vice president of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Safe Haven 2001 co-chairman.
About 200,000 residents suffer from lung ailments, which are aggravated by intense air pollution created by use of a large volume of fireworks over a short time, said the ALAH.
"Past experience and emergency room statistics showed the extent of this problem during New Year's Eves for as long as we can remember," said Dr. Austin Dias, chairman of the University of Hawaii-Manoa Department of European Languages and Safe Haven 2001 co-chairman.
He said his mother-in-law had a severe case of pneumonia a few years ago that was triggered by fireworks smoke. "By lending my support for this program, I hope to reduce such occurrences as much as possible," Dias said.
The Legislature this year passed a law to restrict the import, storage, sale, purchase and use of fireworks. Whether it will have any beneficial effect isn't known yet, the association said.
Straub Foundation also is collaborating with Dr. Jeffrey Kam, asthma/allergy specialist at Straub Clinic & Hospital, to try to provide relief. AstraZeneca, Gaspro and 3M joined in organizing "Breathe with Ease into the New Year."
Booths will be set up at: Kahala Mall Sunday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Ward Warehouse from 1 to 3 p.m., Dec. 16, and Ala Moana Center Stage, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 30.
A pharmacist, respiratory therapist and technical specialists will be available to answer questions, conduct asthma screenings, discuss inhaler and nebulizer techniques and explain the use of respirator masks to cope with firecracker smoke. Masks will be given away while the supply lasts.
Oahu residents who need sanctuary are asked to call 537-5966, ext. 320, and leave their names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.
The association will send those who call a list of safe havens, including campsites, movie theaters and hotels.
For those who can't use the safe havens, Gaspro has provided a limited supply of disposable dust/mist respirator masks. They are available on a first-come first-served basis at the ALAH's Honolulu office, 245 North Kukui St., Suite 100.
Reservations will be accepted on a space-available basis by the following Safe Haven partners. Identify yourselves as Safe Haven participants when you call: Clean air sites
Camps (at nominal fees):
Camp Timberline -- 672-5441
Hotels (at special room rates):
Theaters (midnight shows at discounted prices):