(Photo courtesy of Mayor’s Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Billy Kenoi’s third annual Health Fest was Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona.

The Health Fest included the second annual Keiki Triathlon for triathletes 7 to 14 years old.

Nearly 70 young athletes from around the island finished the challenging swim, bike and run courses at the Kona Community Aquatic Center and around Makaeo Park, also known as the Old Kona Airport.

The Keiki Triathlon was organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Hawaii Isle Police Activities League (HI-PAL) with the support of volunteers from Lava Kids, Lavaman Triathlons, Keauhou Canoe Club, Ultraman, PATH, Big Island Running Co., Bike Works, Ironman volunteers, Ironman finishers, Kealakehe High School Waveriders Triathlon Club and the Hawaii Cycling Club.

The Health Fest included health screenings, information booths, lessons and live demonstrations, as well as free food, entertainment, and activities.

The fest was organized by the Office of Mayor Billy Kenoi with the support of HMSA and Kaiser Permanente. The Health Fest in Hilo was Sept. 28 at Bayfront Park.

The Health Fest and Keiki Triathlon were part of Kenoi’s Healthy Hawaii Island initiative, which includes programs to connect, build, and activate a healthy community.

In addition, the county Committee on the Status of Women participated in the Health Fest.

Committee member Dr. Katie Nova provided free depression screening and said “It was a great event for the community.”

The committee gave out recycle bags as well.

On display were books on Learning to Lead by Gindi Vincent, But He Never Hit Me and But I Love Him by Dr. Jill Murray, Inside Grammie’s Closet by Laura Guluzzy, Dear Sisters, Dear Daughters: Strategies for Success by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, and Getting Even: Why Women Don’t Get Paid Like Men – and What To Do About It.