HI Dept. of Health's personal timeline, a place to collect and share things from HI Dept. of Health's life.
Created by DeptofHealth808 on Feb 17, 2011
Last updated: 03/30/11 at 05:58 PM
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The CDC and the DOH hold a training session for county, state and hospital public information officers to hone emergency messagin skills in the event of a mass antibiotic dispensing of Strategic National Stockpile medications. Photo by CDC
funcitonal exercise alternate care site.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives the state $5.2 million for public health emergency through a cooperative agreement continuance.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Hawaii No. 1 for seasonal flu vaccination rates and sixth in H1N1 flu vaccination. Photo by state Department of Health
Ten illnesses are confirmed due to salmonella Paratyphi B infection from eating previously frozen internationally imported raw ahi. The cases were the same as some identified in 2007 and 2008 and stem from eating raw imported frozen ahi. Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory
.Representatives from Pacific Island nations join the department and the Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps at a training conference addressing the development of volunteers for medical and public health surge capacity.
The state Laboratory partners with the Pacific Island Health Officers Assocation to provide influenza testing for the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau). Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DOH gives testing support to the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory
In responsde to the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, 329 elementary and middle schools participate in a second vaccination clinic statewide to dispense H1N1 vaccine. More than 55,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff take advantage of the H1N1 vaccine program. Photo by state Department of Health
The DOH confirms the deaths of two more adult males from H1N1. Both have underlying medical conditions. Influenza activity is increasing and is at high levels, a pattern that is being seen on the Mainland. About a half dozen people have died from H1N1. Nationwide more than 300 people have died from the pandemic flu. Photo by state Department of Health State Laboratory
The DOH confirms the first death caused by H1N1 pandemic flu death and an underlying medical condition came from tripler Army Medical Center. Cases of H1N1 are being reported on each of the main Hawaiian Islands, with the bulk of them on Oahu. At this point 545 confirmed cases of H1N1 are reported. Photo by CDC
The DOH holds a large-scale emergency response excercise at the University of Hawaii at Manoa that included volunteers who help test the department's ability to provide mass prophylaxis in response to a simulated bioterrorism attack. Photo by state Department of Health
Public input is sought for how the the department should prioritize the distribution of limited supplies of vaccine in the event of a pandemic. The meetings are part of the department's public engagement project on pandemic influenza funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo by state Department of Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants $1.3 million to the department for influenza pandemic preparedness. The state plans to institute a counter measure and state immunization information system, a public engagement demonstration project, distribution and dispensing of anti-viral drugs to self-isolated people and for the electronic laboratory data exchange. Photo by state Department of Health
The DOH and the Hawaii Air National Guard jointly hold the Medical Innovative Readiness Training program to test local community health needs. Called E Malama Kakou, the exercise is tailored to specific community needs. Photo by 193rd Special Operations Wing
Hospital workers from around the state particpate in the DOH and Healthcare Assocation of Hawaii's emergency preparedness exercise testing the abilty to distribute medication to hospital workers in the event of an anthrax attack. Photo by Healthcare Association of Hawaii
The DOH public health preparedness efforts are profiled in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. From 2002-2007 the department has received more than $43 million in Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement funds.
The state Department of Health's Stop Flu at School program begins. This free, voluntary school vaccination program is available to students statewide from kindergarten through eighth grade. Roughly, 70,000 children, faculty and staff sign up each year for a free flu vaccination on the school campus. Photo by the Office of the Governor
The full-scale exercise tests the Biohazard Detection System (BDS). This exercise, called the Maka’ala II exercise, is developed to test a multi-agency response to the detection of anthrax spores in the USPS mail sorting facility near the Honolulu International Airport. An exercise planning team is composed of multiple agencies from the federal (USPS, Federal Fire Department), the DOH, state Civil Defense the county Sheriff’s Department, the state Department of Transportation and county Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Police, Honolulu Fire, and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. Photo by state Department of Health
The state's first Medical Reserve Corp, teams of volunteers in every county, forms to fill gaps in medical and public health emergency response. These volunteers serve as important surge capacity during a disaster and augment medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities.
A partnership with the state Departments of health and education forms to offer free flu vaccinations to Hawaii elementary and middle school children, faculty and staff. The program kicks off at Mililani Uka Elementary, Miliani Waena Elementary and Mililani Mauka Elementary. From this pilot project, the DOH launches five years worth of school flu vaccinatation clinics, vaccinating thousands of school-age children.. Photo by state Department of Health
More than 48 million gallons of raw sewage is let out into the Ala Wai Canal and surrounding beaches after heavy rains overwhelm the city's sewer line. The spill contaminated nearby beaches in Hawaii's tourist mecca, Waikiki. The spill is the largest release of untreated wastewater into Honolulu waters in two decades. Photo by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Seven people were killed and homes were swept away when the Kaloko Reservoir releases 400-million-gallons of water. The release comes after a record 41 straight days of rain that causes the dam to over run its bank, sending a wall of water, mud, rocks and debris down the Wailapa Stream and through Wailapa Valley on Kauai. Map by USGS
Gov. Linda Lingle announces she will ask state lawmakers to approve $15 million to help prepare the state for the possiblitiy of pandemic flu. The funds will be used to stockpile a supply of antiviral medications and to develop and enhanced data management system to track and monitor illnesses. In addition, officials release a draft Hawaii Pandemic Flu Preparedness & Response Plan to help guide and facilitate statewide emergency preparations. Photo by CDC
The Hawaii Disaster Medical Assistance Team goes to Tennessee to help victims of Hurricane Katrina after the Federal Emergency Management Agency puts out a call for help. The 10-member strike team includes the department's chief of Disease Outbreak and Control Division. Photo by FEMA Liz Roll
Hurricane Katrina, the costliest and deadliest hurricane in United States history, makes landfall in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. It is subsequently estimated that the storm was responsible for $81.2 billion in damages. In Florida, Hurricane Katrina causes between $1-2 billion in damages. As of May, 2006, the confirmed death toll was 1,896. Photo by CDC
The nation's first airport flu surveillance program is set up to screen any passengers showing signs of respiratory illness. Screening is designed to detect novel influenza viruses, including avian flu. Photo by CDC
During a full-scale Public Health Emergency Preparedness drill, Kauai holds the nation's first drive-through medication clinic to test its readiness capability to dispense Strategic National Stockpile medication and supplies. Photo by Kauai District Health Office
The Department of Health holds Ho'o Pakele, an exercise to test the implementation of the Strategic National Stockpile medication dispensing during a disaster. The three-day multi-agency exercise includes mobilization of the Department of Operation Center, mass medication distribution exercise on Oahu and Maui. Hospitals throughout the state help conduct and coordinate these kind of drills to test their capacity to receive and decontaminate victims of bioterrorism. Photo by CDC
The state, county and federal officials join forces to test their ability to work together and respond in the event of a bioterrorist attack. The drill is designed to test staffing requirements and the volume flow model for emergency clinic operations. The scenario simulates events that would take place following the release of a possible bioterrorism agent Tularemia, a non-contagious respiratory illness. Photo by State Department of Health
For three months in 2003, because of a nationwide concern over SARS, active, daily statewide monitoriing and surveillance was initiated for three months. A network of 45 healthcare faciltiies and six private labs on all six islands was set up. The Disease Investigation Branch tested 90 individuals for possible illness and contacted 282 more for possible exposure. No actual SARS cases were identified in Hawaii. Photo by CDC
The state tests dead, wild birds for West Nile virus, despite the absence of cases in Hawaii. West Nile virus, primarily a wild bird disease, is transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus is identified in 43 states and Washington, D.C. as well as several provinces in Canada. Hawaii's location provides a natural barrier from the disease carried by migratory birds. Photo by CDC
The smallpox tabletop identifies resource gaps in surge capacity and mass immunizations. A smallpox community response plan and clinic plan are completed too. More than 100 healthcare professionals are vaccinated against smallpox following this exercise. Photo with permission Greenwala.com
The first of five victims dies of anthrax inhalation in the United States during a series of anthrax attacks. The anthrax spores, which are distributed through the mail, also sicken 23 people on the East coast, which turn out to be the first known case of anthrax in the United States since 1976. To date, the criminal case remains unsolved. No cases were reported in Hawaii. Photo by FEMA Jocelyn Augustino
Terrorist attack the Twin Towers in New York City and the U.S. Pentagon killing thousands and prompting a renewed focus on the U.S. vulnerability to bioterrorism. The U.S. strengthens its resolve to develop and maintain the highest level of emergency preparedness in every state in the nation. Photo by Michael Rieger FEMA News Service
The first case of dengue fever in 56 years leads to many more as the department identifies1,644 people who show dengue-like illness. Laboratory testing shows that 122 of them, or 7 percent, are laboratory-positive for dengue infections. The department sends out notification to all licensed physicians in the state requesting that any patient with a denguelike illness (DLI) needs to be tested regardless of travel history. For eight months the state laboratory was on high alert, with Oahu reporting the bulk of the positive cases. Because of swift and aggressive action _ frequent press releases, including daily case counts and messages about eliminating mosquito breeding sites around homes, news interviews with staff, town hall meetings, distribution of 600,000 brochures, a dengue education Web site, and other measures _ the state is able to reduce future illnesses. In addition Health officials inspect public buildings for potential mosquito breeding and led door-to-door source reduction campaigns in parts of Maui and Oahu with insecticides or larvicides. Photo by CDC
A bioterrorism response plan was established for the city and county of Honolulu. Planning and coordination begins with other counties and hospital facilities. Photo by Kauai District Health Office
Mercury contamination was found at the state-managed Puuwai Momi Housing complex in 71 of the 261 units. In some cases entire floors boards were removed in other hosehold items were removed during the cleanup by the department's Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response office from March 12-April 6, 2001. About 4.4 pounds of elemental mercury was recovered. The source was an abandoned water pump station, formerly used by the U.S. Navy now owned by the state. More removal work was done at in June and July, whereby 30 pounds of mercury were cleaned up from the pump house. Photo by State Department of Health State Laboratory
The state opens its new state-of-the art State Laboratory facility in Pearl City. The lab conducts laboratory testing in support of environmental and public health programs statewide. Consultation, licensing, and other related laboratory services focus on environmental health and communicable disease control are provided to various federal, state, city, county, and private organizations. The lab also conducts research, laboratory science investigations, and participates in emergency response efforts such as bioterrorism preparedness and monitoring air quality effects of volcanic activity. Photo by state Department of Health
Hurricane Iniki makes a direct hit on Kauai, damaging 14,000 homes, causing $3 billion in damage, and shutting down most off the island’s vacation accommodations. Photo by FEMA News Photo
Hurricane Iwa clocks 100 mph winds as it passes between Kauai and Niihau. It causes damages totaling $239 million, and three deaths were attributed to the storm. On Kaua'i, more than 6,000 people were forced from their homes and tourists were moved to temporary shelters as the waves flooded hotels on the south shore. Within days, Gov. George Ariyoshi declared Kaua'i, O'ahu and Ni'ihau major disaster areas; President Reagan also declared the state a federal disaster area.
The Hansen's Disease Community Program establishes mainstreaming the treatment with the use of mulit-drug therapy. Photo by Honolulu Advertiser
The state Health Department issues signs warning of the dangers of swimming in Ke`ehi Lagoon and Manoa Stream after reports show high coliform bacteria counts. Photo by Honolulu Advertiser
The forced isolation of Hansen's disease patients in Kalaupapa ends and patients can leave the settlement, if they wish, but not all do.
A tsunami destroys much of downtown Hilo. An 8.25 magnitude earthquake occurs off the west coast of South America.The waves reach the Hawaiian Islands in about 15 hours. This tsunami causes little damage elsewhere in the islands, but the Hilo Bay area is hard hit, killing 61 people and about 500 homes and businesses are destroyed or damaged. The wave heights in Hilo Bay reach 35 feet compared to only 3-17 feet elsewhere. Photo by International Tsunami Information Center
Following statehood, the department and the Department of Institutions merge into one DOH. At the same time, research begins to examine racial prevalence of diabetes. Air pollution regulations are drawn up and a public health veterinarian joins the Department of Health to study the relationship between diseases common to animals and man.
Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. In January 1960, Gov. William Quinn signs an executive order creating the State Department of Health. The first Department of Health Director Dr. Richard K.C. Lee is named.
Hawaii goes from reporting the highest incidence of tuberculosis death rates to among the lowest. Photo by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The most destructive tsunami ever to hit Hawaii is triggered by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. The tsunami wave wraps around the north and east shores of the islands, hitting the town of Hilo especially hard. Wave run-ups were recorded at 55 feet in Pololu Valley on the Big Island, in some places sea water came half a mile inland. Before the first waves, the ocean is drawn out from shore up to 500 feet. Many children and adults unknowingly step toward danger when they go out to explore the exposed sea bed and some are killed when another wave hits. The tsunami kills 159 in the islands that day, 96 of them in Hilo. The tsunami causes an estimated $10.5 million in property damage. Photo by Bishop Museum from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
When the Japanese bombers sink 19 ships, destroying 33 planes on Ford Island and killing 2,300 people it causes a public health emergency of its own. But the anxiety, overwork and faulty diets from those working the war causes another. In addition venereal disease rises sharply at the onset of the war, which is declared the same day as the attack by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. When the USS Arizona sinks, 1,102 men are aboard. Following the war, the number of diphtheria cases rise to 90 and the entire civilian population receives mass immunizations. Water wells are treated with chlorine by the millitary. The quick response essentially eliminates typhoid and diphtheria . Photo by Naval History & Heritage Command
The U.S. Army Air Corps unsuccessfuly bombs a lava flow threatening Hilo and surrounding defense facilities in hopes of diverting the flow. Photo by United States Geological Survey
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