YWCA to honor ‘Recovery Rockstars’ at luncheon

In recognition of the extraordinary pandemic response effort led by two beloved island health care institutions, YWCA of Hawaii Island is doing something quite different at this year’s Remarkable People luncheon.

Instead of one or two individuals, the entire vaccination teams of Hilo Medical Center and KTA Pharmacy — Hawaii County’s “Recovery Rockstars” — will be honored at YWCA’s 12th annual Remarkable People luncheon.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel’s Moku‘ola Ballroom. Masks not required!

Tickets and table sponsorship opportunities are available at bit.ly/YWCA2023, or contact Naomi Uyemura at (808) 930-5705 or tuyemura@ywcahawaiiisland.org.

“After leading our county to one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, these two groups of quiet heroes deserve to be recognized as the ‘Recovery Rockstars’ they truly are,” Kathleen McGilvray, CEO of YWCA Hawaii Island, said in a statement. “It is wonderful how the people of this island look out for one another in such a selfless, tireless way. We invite the community to join us in celebrating the remarkable people of Hilo Medical Center and KTA Pharmacy.”

As soon as the COVID vaccine was made available, Hilo Medical Center and KTA Pharmacy banded together to protect our community by holding mass vaccination clinics serving everyone from kupuna to keiki.

In addition to these efforts, both organizations held smaller, targeted clinics to allow for early vaccinations for first responders and advanced-aged kupuna, in addition to administering staggered booster doses to reach the different age groups.

KTA did home visits to homebound people and also provided vaccinations to small businesses in our community. The availability of the vaccine became a game changer as a first step in Hawaii County’s fight against the novel coronavirus.

Funds raised from the luncheon and silent auction stay in the county to ensure YWCA of Hawaii Island’s vital services are available to those who need them.