Saturday is National HIV Testing Day and the state Department of Health is urging individuals to take advantage of free testing services.

It is estimated that there are 2,300 to 3,200 individuals in Hawaii who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Since 1983, there have been 3,071 reported cases of AIDS in Hawaii (as of December 31, 2008). Of these reported cases, 1,291 individuals are still living and 1,780 have passed away.
The Department of Health provides free HIV testing on all islands:
— Oahu: Diamond Head Health Center, 3627 Kilauea Avenue.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 1 to 6 p.m.
Phone: 733-9281.
— Big Island:
Hilo, contact Peter Tuiolosega Silva at (808) 974-4247.
Kona, contact Janice Caravalho at (808) 322-1920.
— Maui: Contact Barbara Joslin at (808) 984-2129.
— Kauai: Contact Jason Yaris at (808) 821-2741.
For more information on HIV/AIDS and access to testing, go to the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch website:
http://hawaii.gov/health/healthy-lifestyles/std-aids/index.html
For more information on National HIV Testing Day, go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/nhtd.htm