World AIDS Day in Hawaii

December 1, 2002

This December 1^st, Hawaii will join communities throughout the world in a unified observance of World AIDS Day. Annually, World AIDS Day serves to strengthen global efforts to address the challenges of the AIDS pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the world.

Since 1988, December 1st has been a day of compassion, hope, solidarity and understanding about AIDS. World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to open channels of communication, strengthen the exchange of information and experience, and forge a spirit of social tolerance. Each year, it is the only international day of coordinated action against AIDS.

In Hawaii, as in many parts of the world, HIV remains a highly stigmatized condition. Twenty-one years have passed since HIV was identified, and HIV-related discrimination and prejudice continue in Hawaii and around the world.

The following are current data that reflect the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Hawaii:

• It is estimated that there are 2,300 to 3,200 individuals in Hawaii who are HIV positive
• Since 1983, there have been 2,676 reported cases of AIDS in Hawaii (to September 30, 2002).
• A total of 162 new AIDS cases were reported during this last year (October 1^st, 2001 to September 30^th, 2002). Of these 162 AIDS cases, 90 percent were among males.
• Thirty-three percent of AIDS cases reported to September 30^th, 2002, were are among Asians and Pacific Islanders.
• Hawaii has a relatively low rate of reported AIDS cases among injection drug users (seven percent). This is due in part to the statewide needle exchange program, which has been in operation since 1990.

In the United States:

• Approximately 40,000 new infections occur in the U.S. each year.
• An estimated 900,000 people are living with HIV in the U.S.; an estimated 250,000 of these individuals are unaware that they are infected.
• Seventy percent of new infections occur among men, although women are significantly affected.
• There are more people living with AIDS in the U.S. than ever before. At the end of 2001, an estimated 363,000 people were living with AIDS, currently the fifth leading cause of death among people 25 ¯ 44 in the U.S. These data reflect an increasing need for continued HIV prevention services, as well as treatment and care.

Internationally:

• 40 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS around the world.
• Twice the number of people killed on 9-11 die every day in Africa from AIDS.
• The probability of death from HIV/AIDS by the age of 15 years is greater than 50 percent in South Africa.
• By 2010, 20 million women worldwide will be infected with HIV, and 10-15 million children will lose their mother or both parents to AIDS.

In acknowledgment of World AIDS Day, in memory of those who have passed away, in recognition of those living with HIV/AIDS, and in appreciation for the dedicated health care professionals working with those affected by HIV/AIDS, a calendar of Hawaii World AIDS Day events follows. Those interested in participating in World AIDS Day are welcome to attend these events or contact the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch - Department of Health at (808) 733-9281 for further information.

Statewide World AIDS Day Events

First Church of Religious Science, East Hawaii

East Hawaii’s World AIDS Day Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, December 1^st at 10 a.m. at the First Church of Religious Science, Hawaiian Paradise Hui Hanalike, on the corner of Maku`u and 17^th Streets. Reverend Taggart will conduct a non-denominational service. For more information, call 981-2428 in Hilo.

Participating Restaurants in Wailuku, Maui

A special fundraising event, "Dining Out For Life", will occur on World AIDS Day, December 1^st, at participating restaurants in Wailuku during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests are invited to join these restaurants to help address the need for community support by donating a portion of their proceeds back to the people of Maui. For a list of participating restaurants, please call 242-4900, ext. 115.

Queen Ka`ahumanu Mall, Maui

World AIDS Day will also be observed at Ka`ahumanu Mall with special musical performances by Maui’s own Gail Swanson and a host of talented entertainers. There will be holiday gift items to purchase and information on the Maui AIDS Foundation and Honor Thy Children, Inc. Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Trinity Episcopalian Church By the Sea, Kihei

A special observance will be held at 6:00 pm. at Trinity Episcopalian Church By the Sea, at 100 Kulanihakoi Street in Kihei.

For more information about these Maui events, please call 242-4900, ext. 115.

Information on other neighbor island World AIDS Day activities is available by calling:

• Maui: Paul Tonnessen, World AIDS Day Event Coordinator at Maui AIDS Foundation, (808) 242-4900.
• West Hawaii: West Hawaii AIDS Foundation at (808) 331-8177.
• East Hawaii: Big Island AIDS Project at (808) 981-2428.
• Kauai: Malama Pono, the HIV/AIDS service agency on Kaua`I, at (808) 246-9577.

World AIDS Day events to be held on Oahu include:

First Christian Church, Honolulu

The First Christian Church will hold a Community Worship Service on Sunday, December 1^st at 7:00 p.m. "A Time for Healing" will be led by Ke Anuenue O Ke Aloha and will be assisted by local pastors. The Names Project will display sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and music will be provided by the Honolulu Men’s Chorus and others. There is parking at the church at 1516 Kewalo St (´´ block makai of Wilder) or at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on the corner of Wilder and Kewalo. For more information call 924-3060.

Kapiolani Community College (KCC), Honolulu

KCC will be commemorating World AIDS Day by holding a candle light vigil in the KCC cafeteria on Monday, December 2^nd, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. There will be a panel of speakers living with HIV, entertainment by Nakupu and refreshments.

First Unitarian Church, Honolulu

As part of World AIDS Day events, the "Shower of Stoles" Project will be on display next weekend at First Unitarian Church, 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu.

The project gathered 1,200 liturgical stoles from gay people of faith across North America ¯ including ministers and lay clergy ¯ who have been barred from serving their faith community because of their sexual orientation, or who had to choose between being silent or losing their livelihood.

The opening gathering on Friday, December 29^th will include a 7:00 pm showing of the 30-minute video "So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: The Story of the Shower of Stoles Project." New stoles will be added to the collection after the film. For more information, contact the Rev. Vaughn Beckman, 521-3500.

For more information, on World AIDS Day, please call the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch of the Hawaii Department of Health at 733-9281.

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