HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force announced the 3rd Annual Hawaii Fentanyl and Addictions Summit will be held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on August 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What You Need To Know

  • “This epidemic is much closer to your household than you might think,” said Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita, chief executive for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council and one of the leaders of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force

  • Informative sessions will educate attendees about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl, share the latest facts and statistics of the epidemic, and identify actionable solutions

  • Families will also share their experiences of being directly impacted by a drug overdose and attendees can take part in active discussions and collaborate on strategies

Since its inception in 2022, this premiere event has brought together stakeholders from varying backgrounds to address the opioid-driven addiction and overdose crisis affecting communities across the state.

“We are committed to doing all we can to protect our community from the opioid and fentanyl epidemic," said Mayor Mitch Roth in a news release. "Since November 2021, we have worked closely with community leaders and healthcare professionals to address this crisis head-on, and this summit represents a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to protect and educate our residents."

Informative sessions will educate attendees about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl, share the latest facts and statistics of the epidemic, and identify actionable solutions. Families will also share their experiences of being directly impacted by a drug overdose and attendees can take part in active discussions and collaborate on strategies.

Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita is the chief executive for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council and one of the leaders of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force. “This epidemic is much closer to your household than you might think,” she said, stressing the importance of community involvement. “By attending the summit, you can become more educated and aware of this issue and learn how to protect your loved ones.”

Wally Lau, another leader of the task force, added, “Our goal is to save lives by raising awareness and providing the necessary tools and resources to fight this epidemic.”

Dr. Kevin Kunz, also a task force leader, said, “The collaboration and dedication of everyone involved in this summit demonstrates our collective commitment to making a difference. Together, we can turn the tide on this crisis that is killing someone every nine days on Hawaii Island and one every 28 hours in the State of Hawaii.”

People can find more information and register to attend the summit at the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force website.