HONOLULU — Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be available at a SNAP Community Resource Fair taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18.
Helping Hands Hawaii will host the event featuring information on essential services focused on low-income households, in addition to food and giveaways while supplies last.
“It is crucial for us to reach out to the community and ensure that those facing challenges have access to resources that empower them to enhance their quality of life,” said President and CEO Susan Furuta in a news release. “Our goal is to provide tailored programs to meet the unique needs of each individual.”
Some of the featured services at the event:
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• SNAP Outreach Program: helps the community to understand eligibility requirements and assist with applying for benefits.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed): learning about nutrition education for wellness and healthy eating with the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• Community Clearinghouse: provides multiple services for struggling households including free household items such as furniture, cookware, bedding, toiletries and other household necessities. They also provide empowerment training, financial assistance, school supplies and holiday support.
• Representative Payee Services: helps individuals experiencing long-term illness, disability or other impairment to manage their Social Security benefits.
• Bilingual Access Line (BAL): provides interpretation services for individuals with limited English proficiency, serving them onsite, by phone and video, through written translation and American Sign Language.
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The SNAP Community Resource Fair takes place at Helping Hands Hawaii at 2100 N. Nimitz Hwy. Free parking will be available at Puuhale Elementary School and Ohana Self Storage.
Helping Hands Hawaii was established in 1974 and has provided critical social services empowering people to improve their quality of life.
Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii saw another rise in fatal overdoses last year — fueled by the increase use of fentanyl.
Preliminary data from the state’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program show an alarming jump in deaths in Maui County in 2023. Gary Yabuta, of Hawaii HIDTA, said the figures on Maui were steady throughout the year and did not spike after the August wildfires.
And there’s no indication the situation is getting better.
First responders statewide have been called to multiple mass overdoses in recent weeks.
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On Oahu, Thomas Square was the site of five calls in one weekend in April.
Three people in the park needed drug overdose treatment on April 27. The next day, two men died after suspected fentanyl use in the park.
Multiple mass overdoses reported in Thomas Square on April 28, 2024(Kawano, Lynn | None)
The rise in 911 calls is taking a toll on first responders.
“The more patients there are, the more resources we’re having to use and send,” said Sunny Johnson, paramedic supervisor at Honolulu EMS.
HNN Investigates
Johnson said EMS is already taxed and more calls mean people are waiting longer for help to arrive.
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The data shows only Hawaii Island had a decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, with 32.
The previous year, that number was 34.
Hawaii County police and the prosecutor’s office report drug arrests, indictments and convictions and show law enforcement there have targeted drug operations.
Fatal overdose numbers from HIDTA(Kawano, Lynn | None)
Honolulu reported 220 fatal overdoses in 2023, the same as 2022.
Kauai jumped to 30 from 23 the previous year.
But, Maui County saw a 49% jump, from 43 to 64 deaths.
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Combined, those two counties pushed up the state numbers 6% for a total of 346 fatalities in 2023.
Most of those are still the result of meth use, but that is starting to slow.
Meth-related fatal overdoses in Hawaii(Kawano, Lynn | None)
The total number of people who died with meth in their system was 222 last year. The year prior, it was 201 for an increase of 10%.
Fentanyl-related deaths, though, were up 35% statewide, up to 107 from 79.
“There’s so much drugs coming in,” said Yabuta.
Fentanyl-related deaths(Kawano, Lynn | None)
The growing availability of the antidote, Naloxone or Narcan, does appear to be making a difference, Yabuta said.
“It starts that care early and can help reverse some of those effects,” Johnson said.
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Police officers, firefighters, other bystanders are using the nasal version until EMS can arrive with intravenous Narcan, which works quicker.
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Without the widespread use of the medicine, the fatal overdose numbers from fentanyl and other opioids would certainly be much higher, Yabuta said.
Narcan can be provided by the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) to any individuals who want it, for free on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, by calling (808) 521-2437.
HHHRC also provides online training on how to use the medicine, click here to request training.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Interesting development out of Hawaii where the shaka has been elected the state’s official hand gesture (I wonder what New York’s would be…double freedom rockets?)
The shaka sign also known as “hang loose” is accomplished by extending the thumb and little finger, while curling down the three middle fingers and wiggling the hand at the wrist. It’s long been commonplace to see shaka’s thrown around Hawaii and the extended surfing world and last week Hawaiian lawmakers made it official by passing a bill deeming it the state’s official gesture. Here’s an excerpt from the bill:
“The legislature finds that the shaka gesture should be recognized as the official gesture of the State. While multiple origin theories exist, all theories have the shaka developing within the State. More importantly, while multiple Hawaii ethnic cultures and resident groups have contributed varying layers of meaning to the shaka, there is a shared agreement in the shaka’s positive sentiments and usage toward sharing aloha, fostering connection, and being pono.”Screenshot
As a proud shaka thrower for many many years, I appreciate the Hawaiian lawmakers recognizing the practice as “a key brand symbol for the State, offering influential power to build the State’s economy, global brand, and resident pride.” Hell yeah!
Here’s a trailer to a movie about the shaka’s origin MORE INFO HERE:
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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.
Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.
Korra Obidi
According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.
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The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.
Korra Obidi
“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.
However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.
Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.
Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”
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“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.
Korra Obidi
“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.
Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”
Korra Obidi
“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya
Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”
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Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”
Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.
She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.
