Hundreds of Hawaii Island residents, some traveling from as far away as Hilo and Puna, took advantage of a free eye exam and glasses at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center in Kealakehe thanks to a program within the Department of Defense.
The Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) provides a range of services from military personnel to underserved communities who request specific needs. This week 15 Army optometrists, optical fabricators and technicians based out of Oahu and Guam have set up an eye clinic “Tropical Vision Care” at the Health Center where patients get an exam, and if needed, glasses all within 45 minutes.
Lt. Col. Jasmine Dede of the 18th Medical Command in Oahu headed up the project.
“We are honored to be here on Hawaiian Home Lands. The community has been grateful for us, but the training we are getting here is incomparable,” she said. “We come up with innovative ways to provide service to take care of a community.”
Dede said all personnel were given cultural training before coming to Kona so they were sensitive to ohana, language barriers and cultural values.
She also said having the patients be able to walk out the same day with a pair of glasses was a priority.
“We didn’t want them to have to come back to get their glasses,” she said.
“This provides training for our soldiers and benefits our community,” said Department of Health District Health Officer John Kolman. “This is a great win for our community. This initiative to promote eye care supports the Department of Health’s mission which is to improve the health of all people in Hawaii.”
Kolman said the process to secure a IRT event usually takes 18 months, however this week’s event only took six to eight weeks thanks to community partners Community First, Project Vision, Medical Reserve Corp, Hawaii County and Hawaii Island Community Health Center.
“It happened so fast because of community partnerships,” said Dede.
Hawaii Island Community Health Center CEO Richard Taaffe was grateful for the INR program coming to the facility especially since they do not offer vision care.
“There is such a huge need for free eye checks and glasses in the community. The numbers speak for themselves,” he said. We are seeing our keiki and kupuna leaving here being able to see.”
In the first two days of the clinic, over 150 people were examined with many receiving free eye glasses.
Mayor Mitch Roth expressed his gratitude to the IRT team for making access to vision health possible.
“We are pleased that this innovative DOD initiative is returning to Hawaii County. Having healthy eyes is so important to both keiki and adults as quality vision impacts their daily lives. The County is grateful to our partners for coming together and making this year’s Tropic Vision Care possible,” said Roth.
Col. Kevin Bass said the clinic is a win/win situation.
“If we just impacted one individual, it was worth it,” he said. “If we can continue to serve the community, we are all in.”
In addition to the eye clinic, blood pressure and blood glucose screening are available.
The clinic runs today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
No ID or insurance is required. While walk-ins are welcome upon availability (first come, first served), individuals are encouraged to call the Hawaii District Health Office (808) 974-6480 to make appointments.