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About 700 Oʻahu high school students got an up-close-and-personal look at healthcare, thanks to Kapiʻolani Community College’s first ever Health-E Fair. There were health screenings, exhibits and demonstrations, from wheelchair racing to CPR training to tests that determine your fitness age.

“We had to do a vertical jump and we tested how high we can jump,” said Kahuku High School student Jahya Costa.

“We learned how to do CPR and how to hold your palm correctly,” said Angelo Ruiz, a sophomore at Mililani High School. “And how to do 30 compressions every time until you get a response.”

EMT (emergency medical technician) or EMS (emergency medical specialist) in general is mainly to help the community,” said Kapiʻolani student Zachary Suniga, who is studying to become an EMT. “So by us teaching them how to help one another, we might save another life.”

Kapiʻolani has long been known for it’s accredited health academic programs, offering degrees and certificates in a variety of subjects including emergency medical services, exercise and sports science, pharmacy technician, radiolog technology, medical laboratory technician and nursing.

“It’s time for us to show these programs and the skills that these students do and the workforce that they then end up working for the state,” said Patricia O’Hagan, the dean of health academic programs at Kapiʻolani.

The fair gave the high school students an opportunity to engage with the college students while learning more about potential careers and what the college has to offer.

“A lot of them are interested in the medical field or something health related so it is good to talk to them about this,” said Kapiʻolani nursing student Rowen Gargas.

“Trying to sell our program to any student who wants to come,” said Iokepa Alcantra, who is studying exercise and sports science at the college. “And it’s open, it’s very enjoyable.”

“It’s really nice and informational and we get to know what programs are available,” said Ruiz.

“I want to go into physical therapy, so it helps a lot,” said Costa.

But the top priority of the fair is to get the high school students who attended to think about their own health and wellness.

The message is simple.

“Just a healthy lifestyle, period,” said Alcantra.

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