Kumukahi Health + Wellness has its principles rooted in harm reduction, and the organization has been serving the people of the Big Island since 1985 with locations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
"We're focused on serving marginalized communities, specifically people who are at risk of HIV and people who need assistance in addressing sexual health," Keiva Lei Cadena, harm reduction services manager at Kumukahi Health + Wellness, told Big Island Times.
The organization's purpose is to improve the overall quality of life of everyone in the community affected by HIV.
"Things like harm reduction practices, like syringe exchange and HIV testing and access to HIV prevention medication, as well as giving them access to and assistance with gaining health insurance," Cadena explained.
Cadena says that if Kumukahi Health + Wellness wasn't there to help, people would have to navigate HIV care on their own.
"I think it's really important that people understand we're an organization, and we don't have any judgment on the lifestyles of our participants and our clients. We understand that people are going to make risky decisions, and people are going to use drugs and people are going to possibly expose themselves to HIV, people are going to test positive for STDs. And we really want to be a place where we understand that, regardless of what a person is doing in their life or how they're making their choices, it's really important for them to still be able to access services that can improve their well-being and really understand that we are here to provide a better way of living when they're ready. So it's really about us providing parallel care and meeting the client where they're at," Cadena said.
According to their website, the mission of Kumukahi Health + Wellness is to provide a safe space for people affected by or living with HIV, and others in need, by addressing the social determinants of health for all underserved communities on Hawaii Island. Kumukahi Health + Wellness strives to enhance the quality of life for its participants and aspires to be the model of accessible, client-centered and culturally competent support and care for other service providers across Hawaii and the Pacific.
Kumukahi Health + Wellness was previously known as the Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation up until this year.
The organization provides a range of services that includes HIV care, sexually transmitted infection and disease testing and treatment, hepatitis C treatment, trans health services and assistance with health insurance.