Residents 18 and older are encouraged to have free checks for kidney disease, hypertension and high blood sugar. Each screening participant will have a one-on-one consultation with a medical professional to discuss their personal test results.

LAHAINA – Lahaina’s “Da Kidney Da Kine” Day event will celebrate its third anniversary at Lahaina Cannery Mall on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will feature a full day of free family fun, great entertainment, a Keiki Corner and special visit by Sidney Kidney.

This year’s entertainment includes Ka Pa Hula O Maui, Aunty Doll and the production of Kulewa performing Hawaiian tiki music. Deejay Cindy Paulos of KAOI Radio will serve as emcee.

The event is hosted by the Maui Office of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii in an effort to get Maui County residents 18 and older to come out and get their free annual early detection screening that tests for kidney disease, hypertension and high blood sugar. Each screening participant will have a one-on-one consultation with a medical professional to discuss their personal test results.

In addition to the free health screenings and entertainment, the event will also feature a Wellness Health Fair showcasing several of Maui’s leading health and fitness agencies working along with the seventh annual West Maui Health and Fitness Expo. The Lions Clubs of Maui will also be assisting and promoting this event.

The mission of the National Kidney Foundation is to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure on Maui by combating the spiraling, silent and deadly CKD epidemic that rages throughout Maui County and the rest of Hawaii.

One in seven Maui residents has kidney disease, and most won’t know it until their kidneys are already failing.

The high-risk groups for CKD in Hawaii are Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Japanese, Filipinos and people over 60.

Over the years, NKFH has screened thousands of Maui residents to detect early signs of kidney disease.

NKFH Maui Director Jill Holley stated, “We’re not going to stop as long as one in seven Maui residents have the disease, and one in every two of our residents is at-risk for having CKD in their lifetime!”

Hawaii leads the nation in CKD and kidney failure with a rate 30 percent higher than the national average.

“Da Kidney Da Kine” Day is sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii-Maui Office in partnership with Lions Clubs of Maui and the generous support of an army of Maui volunteers who, year after year, donate their time to help our community.

These volunteers include the faculty and students of the University of Hawaii Maui College Nursing Program; KAOI Radio; the medical staffs of Maui Memorial Medical Center, Liberty Dialysis, and Rainbow Dialysis; and high school students in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America).

For more information, contact the Maui Office of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii at 986-1900 or jill@kidneyhi.org.