Page 3 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Feb 8, 2023

HAWAI’I ISLAND
Helping The Island’s Emergency Prep
Hilton Grand Vacations distributed $100,000 among 10 local nonprofits throughout the state, including Hawai‘i Island’s The Salvation Army (pictured) and Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative. The Salvation Army will use the donation to continue its mission of providing resources for its emergency assistance and disaster relief efforts on the Big Island. PHOTO COURTESY THE SALVATION ARMY
Artisans Come Together To Help HPA
Isaacs Art Center at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and the Hawai‘i Wood Guild presents the 2023 Invitational Masters Show, which is currently being held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays through Feb. 24. The free exhibit features furniture, sculptures and wood art by well-known island artisans, including David Gomes (right) and his daughter, Nicole Gomes. Here, they present the Punahele guitar made from koa, red cedar and kiawe. Proceeds benefit the HPA Financial Aid program. PHOTO COURTESY HAWAI‘I PREPARATORY ACADEMY
FEBRUARY 8, 2023 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 3
WAKE UP HAWAII! Helping Hawaii Get Restful Sleep
Dr. Michael Russo, MD
SDPA Foundation President
There’s a high correlation between drowsy driving and drunk driving. Most people only pay attention to the alcohol content, when, in fact, drowsiness plays an integral part in impaired driving. To raise awareness and educate the community, Dr. Michael Russo (FACP, FAAN, FAASM, FAsMA) is actively working to reduce drowsy driver accidents on Hawaii
as a factor in 2019. In 2020, there were 210. Drowsiness at the wheel can be due to lifestyle (busy schedules, late hours, etc.) or sleep related disorders (like sleep apnea).
“People might not recognize there are diagnoses and treatments, but once they’re treated, they’re doing great,” Russo explains.
“There are so many things we can do to help people. The trick is to let them know.”
And he has a plan in place to make that happen. He’ll be introducing the Sleepy in Paradise support group for those with excessive daytime sleepiness.
The plan is to hold meetings at Sleep Disorders Patient Advocacy Foundation’s Hilo headquarters sometime in March to give
Island through a “Wake Up Hawaii” campaign.
“I treat patients every day who admit that they have to pull off to the side of the road to nap, or they got into an accident because they fell asleep and drove off the side of the road,” says Russo, who serves as president of Sleep Disorders Patient Advocacy Foundation and medical director of Honolulu Neuroscience Clinic. “When somebody is getting less than six hour of sleep per night chronically (that could mean they’re in
bed for eight hours but really only getting five hours
Dr. Michael Russo (FACP, FAAN, FAASM, FAsMA) is actively working to reduce drowsy driver accidents on Hawaii Island through a “Wake Up Hawaii” campaign.
of sleep), they become impaired. Their judgment is slower, they’re more likely to lose their attention and concentration on the road. Even if they have only one drink, that amplifies the impairment; they’re not legally drunk but they’re far more impaired.”
According to data by the state Department of Transportation, there were 446 accidents with fatigue
people a platform to share their experiences, hear from others, get access to education and more. “If you’re sleepy, let’s do something about it,” he says.
For more information and to keep up with details on the first meeting, call 808-495-8815, visit sdpaf.org or email admin@hawaiipacificdeeg.com.