HONOLULU (KHON2) — Health professionals from across the islands are invited to relieve stress and burnout at the first Kuurike Kakou Gala, headlined by local comedian and University of Hawai'i alum Tumua Tuinei .
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Co-chairs Dr. Jamie Thom and her husband, Dr. Shane Morita, designed this event to bring together experts to express the spirit of aloha and show how Hawaii's communities come together.
“We recognize that burnout and fatigue affect all of us, no matter what industry we work in. That's why we have an outdated way of thinking. Even though medicine has made many advances, we all still know that laughter is the best medicine,” Dr. Tom explained.
More than 400 people packed into the ballroom at the Kahala Resort on Saturday. According to reports, all proceeds will be donated to JABSOM's “Rural and Neighboring Island Medical Education Support Fund.”
Tuamua Tuinei strongly supports the cause.
“Everyone needs laughter in their lives. Being able to laugh and forget about all the crazy things going on in the world is like an escape from reality,” Tuinei said. “That was my main goal tonight. It was to help everyone forget everything they've been through and come together and laugh.”
The gala also honored University of Hawaii President David Lassner, who will retire this year.
“It was amazing. I've worked here my entire career, and the opportunity to give back as president, although unexpected, is truly the honor of a lifetime,” Lassner said.
Gov. Josh Green was present to make a special proclamation to Lassner, according to reports. JABSOM also presented a symbolic gift to the President.
“We have far more resources coming together, including grants and research into programs that everyone knows about,” Governor Greene said. “He's actually very humble, so it's great to celebrate him tonight because he led UH to great success over the last 10 years.”
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JABSOM alumni, including Dr. Tom and Morita, put together the event as a way to give back to the University of Hawaii.
