Gov. Herbert declared the week of Nov. 9 to be “Pacific Islander Health Week” in an effort led by the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition to raise awareness and work toward solutions to address the serious health issues that impact Utah’s Pacific Islander community. For a large and growing population of Pacific Islanders in southern Utah, the Southern Utah Pacific Islander Coalition will host its third annual health fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. George Recreation Center. It is the coalition’s intent that by providing information and fun in one location, Pacific Islanders will become more aware and more active and will live longer. The goals of the Southern Utah Pacific Islander Coalition health fair are to give back to the Pacific Islander community through education and to help families live better.
The health fair will provide free informational booths about diabetes, gout, and dental health and free flu shots. For the kids, there will be a free bounce house, face painting, and much more. In addition to the health fair, the “Aloha 5k Fun Run/Walk” will occur Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Last year, more than 150 people participated in the fun run/walk. The fun run/walk starts at the Crosby Confluence Park, utilizes several miles of the City of St. George trail system, and ends at the Recreation Center. To register, visit the Coalition’s website at supic.org.
The Southern Utah Pacific Islander Coalition seeks to fulfill its mission to create and maintain programs that meet the needs of the Pacific Islander community and their families and to include all residents of southern Utah. In addition, it seeks to encourage the extended-family love and care that crosses ethnicity, national origins, gender, and religious boundaries. SUPIC is a nonprofit organization providing educational programs and scholarships for Washington County students and higher education students, wellness programs, and cultural awareness and advocacy to southern Utah communities.
