Marine Corps Base Hawaii -- The installation’s annual Health, Wellness and Fitness Fair was held at the Mokapu Mall from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m., June 26, 2013. The fair was a part of the 101 Days of Summer program and consisted of demos, displays, and classes from multiple organizations.
Various tents were set up covering the tables full of pamphlets, information, and memorabilia advertising each promoter’s specific service. Service members and their families milled around the tents, taking pamphlets, speaking with promoters, and receiving helpful information.
The fair hosted 33 nonprofit and corporate sponsors set up outside the Marine Corps Exchange. Tables ranged from healthy eating to fitness to education. Marines and sailors could earn their unit points for 101 Days of Summer by acquiring signatures from the various vendors.
“The fair helps gets information out to people on how to stay healthy and about different resources available,” said Neil Morgan, health promotions coordinator for Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “It’s not only to promote physical health, we have schools here to promote mental health, the chaplain’s here to promote spiritual health, and we have people here to promote financial health.”
The fair used to be held in the gym at the Semper Fit Center to catch gym-goers attention. Three years ago the fair was brought outside to market to everyone instead of just one group, Morgan explained.
There were a variety of organizations participating in the fair. Jonathan Barkley, Certified Prevention Specialist, had a table encouraging safe drinking and free pamphlets and memorabilia reminding Marines and sailors to not be “That Guy.” Service members were educated about Marine Corps Community Services and the services they provided. There were off base gyms offering raffles for a free month-long membership or just information on the facility. There was even a SUV and pick-up truck being raffled off.
“I heard about the fair through the paper,” said Tabitha Fox, an event attendee. “I came out to find information on furthering my education.”
There were multiple colleges and universities that set up booths to share information on their schools. Each table had pamphlets and promoters answering questions and providing Marines, sailors, and family members with information.
Last week the fair was held at Camp H.M. Smith and had a great turnout, Morgan said. Most of the promoters at the fair on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, were a part of the Camp Smith fair. The fair has been a part of 101 Days of Summer since the program started a decade ago.