By DAMIEN PEREZ

Staff Writer

WAILUKU — The Maui AIDS Foundation (MAF) has taken a proactive approach to putting a stop to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections while also attempting to prevent the virus from spreading. This is proving effective in the prevention of HIV as the number of new cases in the state of Hawai’i has continually diminished each year.

The MAF is located at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center at 1935 Main Street in Wailuku.

Hawai’i reported only 75 new cases of HIV last year. The state plan named ‘Hawai’i 2.0.’, has a goal to reach no new H.I.V. cases in Hawai’i by 2030.

Hawai’i could become the first state to report zero new cases of H.I.V. if the Maui County community can implement prevention tactics.

The Maui AIDS Foundation (MAF) serves all of Maui County free of charge to those in need and wanting a confidential safe space for testing, clinic, housing and client services. In the prevention department, MAF saw 120 individuals last quarter from April – June 30th. Their Client Services Department saw 107 last quarter, according to MAF.

The Maui AIDS Foundation was established in 1986 as a response to the crisis of HIV/AIDS that was affecting the island of Maui at the time. At its core MAF was conceived as a community-based initiative, by the urgent need to address the devastating impact of the epidemic

When Linda Puppolo, director of The Maui A.I.D.S. Foundation, hears someone ask if Hawai’i could become the first state to be H.I.V. free, she has the same confidence as if she’s answering if the sky is blue.

“If we remain proactive in the high risk areas, it can be done,” Puppolo says.

Puppolo suggests if sexually active individuals get tested every three months, practice safe sexual methods, then A.I.DS and the precursor, H.I.V. can in theory be eliminated from Hawai’i.

Bryan Chin A.P.R.N. and director of clinical services, says that if an infected patient is living a healthy lifestyle, taking medication consistently, then that infected individual could live a healthy, long life like anyone else.

Using the method of lowering the infection with medication, and a healthy lifestyle an infected individual cannot pass on the virus.

The Maui A.I.D.S. Foundation and its staff logically have come up with a solution for eliminating the deadly virus. If this feat is accomplished, not one member of their staff would be surprised. After all, this team teaches the miracle of a healthy lifestyle many times daily in a conscientious manner.

According to Dr. Chin, an individual that consistently gets tested, practices safe sex, and lives a healthy lifestyle, will be able to ward off the deadly virus.

If the public attacks this virus by doing those simple tasks, the solution is highly possible.

The simplicity lies in the result: if Hawai’i can accomplish no new cases, then the same formula can be applied to eliminate A.I.D.S., and essentially humanity working together and taking care of themselves will stop H.IV. and A.I.D.S. That’s the theory, and now that theory is getting put into motion.

MAF has always actively pursued a combination of funding mechanisms, according to the organization. Since the Maui Wildfires, it has not been possible for them to compete against wildfire disaster efforts with good conscience. Recent expanded Maui County funding awarded by the Maui County Council is set to provide for desperately needed increases in Maui County services.

MAF requested and was awarded expanded grant funding from the County of Maui and State of Hawaii Grants-in-AID to assist the agency with the following objectives:

¯ Expansion of MAF’s free clinic services to offset the increases in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI); especially since the Maui Wildfires in August of 2023.

¯ Expansion of MAF’s prevention and harm reduction education to set a path toward elimination of HIV, Hepatitis, and other Sexually Transmitted Infections and in effort to reduce stigma.

¯ Increase efforts in harm reduction by the training and distribution of Narcan to assist Maui County residents with the ability to administer life-saving opioid overdose treatment

¯ Expand capacity to enable staff to begin vaccination services by hiring an RN or LPN to support our one Provider, Dr. Bryan Chin.

An interdisciplinary, comprehensive, cohesive public approach is the solution The Maui A.I.D.S. Foundation knows has been very effective for years.

The foundation aims to show the entire world a blueprint for eliminating a virus that has ravaged populations for over 40 years.