The Navigators’ Center and the WCCHC students have reached out to various providers across the state to support the vision health of our students. Dr. Makini of Eyes Plus, Inc., quickly became a natural partner for the Center with his focus on vision health from a comprehensive lens, looking deeply in vision’s connection with academic performance. In this vein, Dr. Makini presented to the entire Kamaile faculty and then at an open community event on the importance of vision in students’ lives. He then coordinated with the Lions Club of Ewa Beach and Project Vision: Hawai‘i to provide free vision screenings to our entire K-3 population along with older students on a referral basis. In an incredibly orchestrated morning, Parent Council volunteers and Lions Club members enabled the three organizations to screen all students in a matter of hours. Students flagged in the initial Lions Club screening were able to go directly to the Project Vision van and equipment to consult with Dr. Makini. Here are the results from the screenings:
 

• 250 students, or 26.8% of all students, turned in permission forms and were screened.

• 69 students, or 27.6% of those screened, were flagged with a medical referral for some vision need.

• 13 students, or 5.2% of those screened, were seen by Dr. Makini for further screening and fitted for glasses.
   

We look forward to making this an annual event.