Upcoming Fair Provides Valuable Kidney Health Screenings

Kidney Foundation Logo courtesy of the Kidney Foundation.

By Robin Pilus

The 6th Annual Da Kidney Da Kine Fair will be held on Saturday, April 30th from 10 am until 2 pm at Queen Kaahumanu Center.   This event will feature a free six station health screening that would normally cost several hundred dollars.

680  people have been screened for kidney health over the past five years according to Colleen Welty, Executive Director of the Maui Branch of the Kidney Association.  “We hope anyone who is at-risk for kidney disease takes advantage of this free screening,” Welty said. 

At-risk individuals include people who have high blood pressure, are diabetic, are overweight or those who have others in their family with kidney disease.

“Over 300 people are on dialysis at any given time in Maui County,” Welty said.  “If a person has a relative on dialysis they are high-risk for kidney disease and should be screened.”  The free screening is open to those 18 years or older.

Screenings are conducted by community volunteers which include student nurses, doctors, dieticians, staff from clinical labs and other community volunteers.  The six stations include height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, urinalysis, body fat analysis and a comprehesive exit interview to interpret the data gathered.

According to Welty, kidney disease afflicts one in seven Maui residents.

The day will also include a free family fun event with arts and crafts for children, exhibits and displays, a visit from Sidney Kidney and live entertainment from Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats, Richard Hoopii and Derick Sebastian.  Sponsors include Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, Lions Club of Maui, University of Hawaii – Maui College and Farmer’s Insurance Group of Hawaii.

For more information call the Maui Office of the National Kidney Foundation at 986-1900 or visit the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii.