Maui and Kauai share in $3.4 Million Grant to Promote Healthy Living

More than $3.4 million has been secured in grant funding to support healthy living and combat obesity on Maui and Kauai.

File Photo by Wendy Osher.

A portion of the funds will be utilized by the Maui District Health Office to raise awareness of healthy eating and active living through a media campaign, increase physical activity and improve nutrition for residents through social support and culturally appropriate education, as well as create local infrastructure for production, distribution, and processing of locally grown agricultural products including links with schools, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Kauai and Maui join just 42 other communities across the country to receive the more than $372 million in Department of Health and Human Services grants.  The funds are allocated to support the national effort to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking — four critical actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, who announced the grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was among those who voted in favor of the Recovery Act on February 13, 2009.  The measure was signed by the president four days later.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy Office of U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono)