New campaign warns all of heat-related illnesses

Climate change experts say temperatures are getting higher, and the state wants to make sure you’re protecting yourself in a new campaign.

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Lori Marcu is enjoying a day at the beach with her family. She feels the summer days are getting hotter.

“Basically we started out sitting in the shade but as the sun came upon us, we kept going back to get underneath the shaded trees just to get away from the sun,” said Lori Marcu, Waialua resident. “Not too much sun.”

That is a great tip. One of the many in a new summer initiative. The state Department of Health is collaborating with all Hawaii counties for a “Heat Safety Awareness” campaign warning both residents and visitors of the potential danger during the hottest months of the year

“It’s indeed getting hotter these days,” said Dr. Nicole Mahealani Lum, clinical faculty at John A. Burns School of Medicine. “Not just here in Hawaii but across the nation, worldwide. It’s getting hotter on our planet.”

Despite our moderate climate and cool trade winds, this campaign wants to make sure that everyone’s aware we are not immune to heat related illnesses.

“On the mild side, you might feel that discomfort, you’re feeling really hot, feeling sweaty, feeling thirty dehydrated, going all along the spectrum to the most severe of heat related illnesses that’s heat stroke,” said Lum.

Doctors say some key tips — stay hydrated, stay in the shade as much as you can and don’t overdo it.

“You gotta malama your body,” said Lum. “Got people, got patients that just work so hard, they’re out in the sun, and they’re just gung ho, they just go for it. One more hour, just gonna finish this up. Listen to your body. You gotta take breaks. Go indoors. Drink water. Thats number one for prevention of heat related illnesses.”

So hopefully you can keep enjoying your summer.

“I’m still going to be out every day for sure,” said Marcu.

The campaign runs from July through September.