HHHRC is honoring the 30th anniversary of the Honolulu AIDS Walk this June with a month packed with events. While they are not convening in person at Kapi῾olani Park for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HHHRC is convening online to raise funds to support those living with HIV. The theme of this year’s walk is “30 Years in 30 Days.”

Other events will include a silent auction, sign-waving at the state capital, and a half-hour special on KHON featuring Hawai῾i music star Henry Kapono. The special will air on June 24 at 9:30PM and June 26 at 7:00PM.

Over two decades ago Kapono composed a song, “Friend for Life,” for a CD release to support the work of Life Foundation. Veteran entertainer Brickwood Galuteria co-produced the release with John de Mello and Ken Makuakāne. Kapono dedicated the song to Galuteria’s brother Scott, who passed away from AIDS in 1992: “This song comes from a place beyond myself. A song destined to be here. A song to help make a difference for so many lives. A song from the heart….” Kapono will perform the song again for this month’s special.

2021 also marks the 40th anniversary of the first diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia attributable to what became known as the human immunodeficiency virus in Hawai῾i by Dr. McEwan, who received the Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award last year for his contributions to HIV/AIDS services in Hawai῾i.