Posted on: Sunday, January 16, 2005

Maui County to place defibrillators at 20 sites

Advertiser Staff

WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County is installing automated external defibrillators at 20 public sites and will hold community meetings to make people aware of the life-saving devices.

The defibrillators are used to shock a victim's heart into a regular rhythm. The devices come with simple instructions, so no specialized training is needed to operate them.

The state Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services Division and the county are paying for 21 of the defibrillators, which cost $2,500 apiece, to be placed at the 20 sites.

On Maui, the sites to get defibrillators are the community centers in Wailuku, Kihei, Lahaina, Ha'iku, Pa'ia, Pukalani, Makawao, Waikapu, Kula and Hana, as well as the Hali'imaile Annex, War Memorial Gym, the Kalana O Maui county building, the County Service Center at the Maui Mall in Kahului, the Waiehu Golf Course and Helene Hall in Hana.

On Moloka'i, the devices will be installed at the Kualapu'u Community Center and the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

And on Lana'i, the devices will be placed at the gym and community center.

Free community awareness meetings will be offered in separate sessions, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday at the Lana'i Gym and Jan. 29 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center on Moloka'i.

Maui sessions will be announced later.

The sessions are being offered by volunteers from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the ARC of Maui, the Department of Fire Control and American Medical Response.

For more information, contact the Maui County Risk Management Division at (808) 270-7864.