Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, and Physical Health Needs are Focus of Community Wellness Fair Ahava ‘Aina is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair for the Puna Community on Saturday, December 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pāhoa Community Center. As a proud recipient of the Puna Strong grant funded by Hawai’i Community Foundation and Hawai’i County, Ahava ‘Aina will be addressing mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health needs for everyone impacted by the 2018 Kı̄lauea eruption. “The Kı̄lauea eruption impacted us all, it was a trauma we endured both individually and as a community,” Rabbi Rachel Short, founder and leader of Ahava ‘Aina shares. “This was a slow moving natural disaster that kept us in a constant state of unknowing. It was a totally unique experience; there are consequences to that. Our roads are being rebuilt and so many other needs that arose as a direct impact of the eruption are being met, but our health and wellness has yet to be addressed. My intention is to help remove the stigma surrounding our mental, emotional, spiritual and in turn, physical health, so we can begin healing. We have to bring these issues to the forefront so we can begin to heal, as individuals and a collective. We as a community need to come together to do our part to address our trauma and heal ourselves, which then, heals our world. The mission of Ahava ‘Aina is Tikun Olam, or, healing the world. This begins with our community.” This is the first of a series of events Ahava ‘Aina plans to host specifically focusing on health and wellness for those affected by the 2018 Kı̄lauea eruption. Equality HI, Girls to Women Hawai’i, Al Anon, Puna Rising, Puna Community Medical Center, are just a few of who will be participating at the event. “My hope is we can connect people to the resources out there that they may not know about, or be too ashamed to ask for. After this event, we plan to host smaller talk story sessions, as well as provide one-on-one individual counseling and support,” Rabbi Rachel added. “During the eruption, our Spiritual Care team would walk around and just talk story with those in the shelters. There were so many people who would have never asked for help, but clearly, needed it, as we all do. Our intention is to help everyone!” This event is free to the public. Ahava ‘Aina invites everyone to stop by the Puna Community Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, December 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pāhoa Community Center. For the Puna community, healing starts here. For more information or to contact Ahava ‘Aina please visit www.AhavaAina.org.