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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maui's biggest celebration kicks off this weekend. What you need to know
WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2) — Aloha Maui Pride kicks off June 1 with a full lineup of celebrations for World Pride Month. The Opening Ceremony on June 1 and the special events through the next couple of weeks lead up to its biggest event, the Maui Pride Festival, on June 14 in Wailuku. The two-week celebration is expected to draw thousands from across Hawaiʻi and beyond. 'We've been working on this festival since last year's festival ended,' said Sheri Snyder, spokesperson for Aloha Maui Pride. 'Last year, our attendance doubled from the year before. So, if we double this year, it's going to be a little crazy down Market Street. But it'll be fun.' The events are coordinated by Aloha Maui Pride and the Maui AIDS Foundation. 'We do a lot of Pride Month celebrations,' Snyder said. 'The pride festival on the 14th, we do in partnership with Maui AIDS Foundation. So, we're 50/50 partners with them for festival day.' was able to catch up with Commissioner Joe Tolbe who represents Maui on the Hawai'i State Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs. 'I'm Proud and Honored to represent Maui! I've watched the AMP committee pull together to make this year's events bigger and better than last year,' said commissioner Tolbe. 'They each have grown and added their own ideas and creative talents to this year events ' Visitors and residents are invited to take part in a series of gatherings that celebrate visibility, diversity and communit, from a family night to a beach barbecue and a sunset cruise. 'We're celebrating unity, or lōkahi,' Snyder said. 'A big portion of the people that attended the festival last year were not only the LGBTQ+ community, but the community of Maui.' Here's what to know and how to prepare. The official opening blessing will take place Sunday, June 1 during the PRIDE Brunch at Nalu's in Kihei from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The blessing begins at 9:15 a.m. The Pride flag will be raised at the Kalana O Maui County Building on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. This will be followed by a no-host lunch at 808 Old Town Deli & Bistro. Youth and Family Night returns Friday, June 6 at Kalama Park Pavilion in Kihei from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 'We do a party for the kids over at Kalama Park and the pavilion there,' Snyder said. 'We have a bouncy house, and we have face painters. And we have games and crafts and all kinds of things. And we get pizza from Pizza Madness; so, they have something to eat while they're playing.' On Saturday, June 7, Aloha Maui Pride hosts a sunset cruise with the Pacific Whale Foundation that departs from Māʻalaea Harbor at 5 p.m. 'We take about 100 of our best friends out on a boat and put on some dance music and have some food,' Snyder said. 'It's a really great little party before the festival.' Sunday's beach BBQ will be held June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kamaole III Beach Park in Kihei. The event offers a casual gathering to rest, reflect and recharge. On Friday, June 13, local music legends Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom and Eric Gilliom take the stage at Nalu's in Kihei from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sibling duo brings soulful mele and cultural pride to an evening of kanikapila. The Pride Festival on Saturday, June 14 runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Market Street in Wailuku, with a closing blessing to end the evening. Festivalgoers can expect live entertainment, drag performances, a fashion show, vendors, food trucks and a new jumbo screen. 'We have all kinds of entertainment,' Snyder said. 'There's a hula group coming and just all kinds of things, and we're going to have an LCD screen at the opposite end of the street.' Snyder said the screen allows people to see the stage even while browsing vendors or grabbing food. 'We're trying to take care of our attendees a little better so that they don't miss anything while they're shopping or eating,' Snyder added. Pride isn't complete without amazing entertainment. Here's what Aloha Maui Pride as planned. 3 p.m. will feature Dance music from Sound man Justin. 3:30 p.m. will be the Blessing. 3:40 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. is the opening act. 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will feature Hula Hālau Kauluokalā led by Kumu Hula Uluwehi Guerro. 5:35 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. you can watch a performance by JRoq & Melani. 6:35 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. features performances from ManCandy Productions. 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be the Full Flava Band. The celebration continues Saturday night at Da Playground at the Māʻalaea Harbor Shops from 8 p.m. to midnight. 'Come out to thank each member of the AMP committee by showing up and spreading the word,' said commissioner Tolbe. 'It can and will be a success when we ALL come together to show our pride on our island of MAUI!' Maui Pride is more than a celebration. 'We're celebrating unity,' Snyder said. 'We're celebrating community.' To learn more about schedules, events, venues and entertainment, click . You can also follow them on . Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 From blessings to beach days, Aloha Maui Pride said they are focusing on this as a time to uplift each other and honor the island's spirit of inclusion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 actions by locals who are keeping Maui safe: Hawaiʻi health matters
HONOLULU (KHON2) — National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed every March 20. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Native/Indigenous communities and the importance of advocacy and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. In Hawai'i, the Maui AIDS Foundation (MAF) plays a pivotal role in providing vital services to the island's most vulnerable populations. The agency and its staff work tirelessly to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Linda Puppolo, Executive Director of the Maui AIDS Foundation, is at the heart of this work. She leads a team dedicated to combating health disparities and offering support to marginalized communities. 'We serve the most vulnerable people on Maui,' Puppolo said. 'We do syringe exchange, we have food pantries, we sign people up for healthcare, and we provide free STI testing.' Her and her team's commitment to improving public health, particularly for disenfranchised populations, is unwavering. According to the CDC's 2022 STI Surveillance Report, Hawai'i has seen concerning increases in reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and congenital syphilis. Hawai'i ranks 21st in the U.S. for chlamydia rates, 43rd for gonorrhea, 16th for primary and secondary syphilis, and 10th for congenital syphilis. While these infections are treatable and preventable, the rising rates highlight the need for greater awareness, education and access to testing and reliable and stable treatment options. As Puppolo pointed out, the Maui AIDS Foundation is doing everything in its power to address these issues. 'We have a free clinic for STI testing; and we also provide condoms, dental dams and other prevention tools. But prevention isn't just about handing out supplies. It's about creating an environment where people feel safe coming forward,' she explained. Puppolo emphasized that many of the individuals they serve would likely qualify for Medicaid, but they choose to seek services at MAF because they fear the stigma associated with traditional healthcare settings. 'A lot of people are terrified right now because they fear being exposed in a traditional healthcare setting,' she said. 'We provide a safe space where they can get the care they need without judgment.'The Maui AIDS Foundation's services go far beyond STI testing. The organization offers a broad range of support for people living with HIV. This includes medical case management, behavioral health services and housing subsidies for those affected by HIV. 'It's not just one service,' Puppolo explained. 'We have a continuum of care, providing everything from food pantries to housing subsidies for HIV-positive clients.' However, Puppolo voiced significant concerns about the future of the foundation's work, particularly with changes in federal funding. 'We have a $2.2 million budget, and much of that comes from federal grants,' she said. 'But right now, everything is up in the air. If we lose our federal funding, we would have to lay off several staff members and potentially close down programs that are essential for the community.' This the work they are doing that is keeping Maui County safe: 1. STI testing and treatment: MAF offers free STI testing, counseling, diagnosis and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. 2. Prevention services: The foundation provides condoms, dental dams and safe sex education to help reduce the spread of STIs. 3. Harm reduction: MAF advocates for opioid overdose prevention and Narcan training. 4. Housing support: MAF provides housing subsidies for people living with HIV in Maui County. This funding helps more than 80 individuals to remain in stable housing. 5. Comprehensive care: Beyond HIV, MAF offers medical case management, behavioral health services and health insurance enrollment for those in need. 6. Food and hygiene assistance: MAF operates food pantries and provides hygiene supplies to those facing economic hardship. 7. Outreach: MAF works in prisons and other disenfranchised areas to offer support to those who might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream healthcare services. While the foundation provides essential services, its future is uncertain. Puppolo explained that proposed federal budget cuts could impact key programs, including housing subsidies for people living with HIV. 'If they cut out all the housing, we would be in a very difficult situation,' she said. 'We could lose more than $1 million in funding, and that would be catastrophic for us.' In addition to the foundation's concerns about defunding, Puppolo revealed that there is confusion surrounding the future of transgender services at MAF. 'We don't know if we will be forced to stop offering transgender services to maintain our 501(c)(3) status,' she said. 'Everything is uncertain right now.' As National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day draws attention to the challenges faced by Native communities, the Maui AIDS Foundation's work stands as a model of advocacy and care for all marginalized populations. You can click to learn more about Maui AIDS Foundation either to take advantage of their services or to join the mission via donations to help keep Maui safe. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Puppolo's final words were a call to action: 'Our work is crucial, and if we lose our funding, so many people will lose the services they rely on. We are at a crossroads right now, and we need the support of the community to continue this life-saving work.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi's rural healthcare at stake as federal funding freezes
WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2) — The freezing of federal funds has thrown many nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi, especially those providing healthcare services, into a state of uncertainty. Amongst these organizations is the Maui AIDS Foundation (MAF), which serves some of the most vulnerable populations in Puppolo, executive director of the MAF, is deeply concerned about the potential consequences of this funding freeze. 'We serve the most vulnerable people of Maui. We do syringe exchange, food pantries, healthcare enrollment, STI testing and more,' Puppolo explained. 'Many of our clients would qualify for Medicaid if we didn't provide these services for free.' The foundation's wide-ranging services reach individuals who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the formal healthcare system. Many clients fear being exposed in other healthcare settings due to stigma, which makes MAF's discreet, nonjudgmental environment crucial. 'We have quite a lot of clients who are terrified right now because they feel like they'll be exposed anywhere else,' Puppolo shared, highlighting the personal stakes involved. The foundation's operating budget exceeds $2 million, but a significant portion of that funding comes from federal sources. Some grants are directly administered, while others flow through state agencies. One of the most at-risk programs is the housing subsidy for people living with HIV. And Puppolo fears the worst: 'We believe the HUD housing grant is on the chopping block,' she said. 'That's over $1 million of our money for housing subsidies right there.' In addition to housing, MAF runs a host of other programs like hepatitis outreach, medical care for incarcerated individuals and a free clinic for STI testing. If funding is cut, these vital services are at risk of being discontinued. 'If they take away the housing, we would have to lay off several people,' Puppolo explained. 'We have 16 staff members; and if the grants that subsidize their salaries are eliminated, that's a huge impact.' One of the major federal funding sources MAF depends on is the Ryan White program, which supports healthcare for people living with HIV. 'Ryan White funding is a big part of what we do,' Puppolo said. 'It helps with things like dental care, which regular Medicaid won't cover.' However, even this funding is in jeopardy, as it is also subject to the same uncertain future. 'We don't know if Ryan White funding will continue,' Puppolo added as she reflected the widespread anxiety nonprofits like MAF face. In addition to the financial strain, Puppolo expressed frustration with the lack of transparency surrounding these funding cuts. 'There's a gag order on federal employees, and we can't get any straight answers,' she said. This lack of clarity complicates planning and makes it difficult for organizations like MAF to prepare for what's ahead. 'We're not even sure if we can still access reimbursements,' Puppolo remarked. 'We've had to check ourselves to see if we can still download the money we're owed.' For MAF, the financial uncertainty could be disastrous. 'If we lose our 501(c)(3) status, all our grants are gone,' Puppolo warned. 'The foundation has worked hard for 37 years to build a solid reputation, and now it's all at risk.' This is particularly concerning given MAF's long-term investments, which includes the mortgage on their building. 'We've worked together with other organizations to build this space, and it was always with the idea that we would be here for the long term. But how can we fund a home if we don't have any funding?' Puppolo asked. The situation is especially dire for rural communities like Maui, which already face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. 'We're considered a Medically Underserved Area, and now they're talking about defunding rural healthcare entirely,' Puppolo said. 'How do you do an HIV test when you don't even have the funds to keep the clinic open?' The implications are vast and touch everything from basic medical services to the availability of housing and food support for vulnerable populations. Despite these grave concerns, Puppolo remains committed to doing everything she can to advocate for the community. 'We don't know what the future holds, but we're going to keep pushing for our clients,' she said. 'We've built something special here, and we're not going to let it go without a fight.' In the broader context, nonprofits across the state are feeling similar pressure. The Maui AIDS Foundation's budget alone is a window into the challenges these organizations face: the freezing of federal funds would have devastating consequences for services like food pantries, behavioral health programs and housing support. Puppolo emphasized the vital role MAF plays in the local community as she explained that many of their clients have nowhere else to turn. MAF's ability to support a diverse range of services that includes insurance enrollment assistance has also been at the heart of its outreach efforts. Between October and December 2024, MAF assisted 173 individuals with Medicaid enrollment and another 64 with Medicare enrollment. These numbers reflect the demand for comprehensive healthcare support on Maui, and Puppolo's team continues to work tirelessly to meet this need despite the funding uncertainty. But the future remains unclear, and Puppolo is not alone in feeling the weight of this uncertainty. 'Everything is up in the air, and it's all very scary,' she said. The freezing of federal funds could lead to significant cutbacks in essential services. The ripple effects of this policy could mean increased hardship for individuals and families already grappling with health and economic challenges in one of the most isolated parts of the U.S. Linda Puppolo, along with other leaders of rural nonprofits, is working to secure the resources necessary to continue providing life-saving services. However, the decision of federal policymakers will ultimately determine the fate of these crucial programs and the thousands of people they serve. You can click here for more information on MAF. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 As Puppolo put it, 'If they take it all away, we'll be left with nothing, and so will the people who depend on us.' At 12:49 p.m. HST Pres. Trump's Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, released a statement that claims: HOAX: A score of Fake News outlets … claimed President Trump's directive to temporarily pause certain federal spending was 'rescinded.' FACT: No such thing took place. Instead, a memo from the Office of Management and Budget was rescinded in an effort to alleviate confusion — and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump's order remains 'in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented' as the administration works to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. — United States White House Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
