I am walking virtually for this year's Honolulu AIDS Walk to support Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center's mission to reduce harm, promote health, create wellness, and fight stigma. 

Since the onset of COVID-19 HHHRC has shuttered its community fundraising events, including the annual AIDS Walk.

But we've responded to emerging community needs by partnering with Hawai'i Foodbank to distribute over 300,000 lbs. of food. We are also currently managing the state's quarantine center in Waikiki. We've also joined other groups to be a public voice and advocate for the unsheltered, the incarcerated, and others who have been hit especially hard by COVID-19.

Before this year began, Governor Ige's budget proposed a 64% reduction in HIV services funding. This would have seriously jeopardized our ability to provide sterile syringe access on O'ahu and especially on Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island. Our state funded syringe exchange program is national model that demonstrates the effectiveness of keeping HIV rates low among persons who inject drugs, which has been the case for three decades.

Thankfully the Legislature restored full funding for HIV services in its budget. Hopefully the Governor will release that funding.

Please donate what you can to support our work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable and underserved residents in our state.

Mahalo nui!