Hawaii: Faster HIV Test Available, Free at Life Foundation

On July 5, a new rule allowing rapid-result HIV testing by nonprofit organizations went into effect in Hawaii. The change was approved by Gov. Linda Lingle on June 27. The Honolulu-based nonprofit Life Foundation supported the rule change as a way to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Melanie Moore, communications director for the foundation, said approximately one in four people with HIV do not know they are infected. In Hawaii, around 3,000 people are living with the virus, she estimated.

Older HIV testing methods can take up to two weeks for results, said Moore. Due to this delay, many people who undergo testing do not return to learn their status. "They're scared; they don't want to know; sometimes we don't know why they don't come back," she said.

Life Foundation has been working closely with the state Health Department to start offering rapid HIV testing and has trained its staff in the new procedure, which uses an oral swab. The foundation expects to begin using the 20-minute test in September.

According to Moore, rapid-result testing has proved an incentive in states that have promoted it. "More people are willing to get tested," she said.

Life Foundation will continue to offer the older testing method at its office at 677 Ala Moana, Suite 226. Outreach workers will visit people who cannot or prefer not to come to the office for the free and confidential test. "We do almost 700 HIV tests a year," said Moore. "We try to make testing as easy and accessible as possible."

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