Healthcare and emergency personnel are frontline fighters in the war against COVID-19—but their supplies are getting desperately low.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Department of Family and Consumer Sciences are making washable, reusable masks that disposable N95 filters can be inserted in, which can significantly help protect the medical community and others who work with vulnerable populations.
Volunteers with sewing experience are needed to sew Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-compliant washable cotton fabric masks with pockets for N95 filters.
Download the mask pattern (PDF) and watch an instructional video on making the masks. Please sew in fabric ties so the masks can be adjusted for different head sizes instead of using elastic hair ties as the video indicates.
Donate completed masks
Honolulu County
- Kimberly Kaohi, University Health Partners of Hawaiʻi, (808) 223-9227 or email kkaohi@ucera.org
- Elderly Affairs Division, (808) 768-7705 or visit www.elderlyaffairs.com
Hawaiʻi County
- Office of Aging, (808) 961-8626 (Hilo), (808) 323-4390 (Kona) or visit www.hcoahawaii.org
Maui County
- Office on Aging, (808) 270-7755 or visit www.mauicounty.gov/255/Office-on-Aging
Kauaʻi County
- Agency on Elderly Affairs, (808) 241-4470 or visit www.kauai.gov/elderly.
For questions, email Department of Family and Consumer Sciences chair Bobbie Yee.
