Navigation Council Member Feature: Wally Lau, Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force
All images courtesy of Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force
Today we’re featuring one of our longtime Navigation Council members: Wally Lau. Wally joined us several years ago while working for the County, and remains involved in the community. One of the commitments closest to his heart is the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force (HIFTF), a group he helped to found in response to an alarming rise in overdose deaths.
Wally believes that it is everyone’s kuleana, ‘opio to kupuna, to take care of the community, give back, and save lives. Like all of our members, he values youth voice, leadership, and action, working with schools and young adults in HIFTF’s mission. Youth are a key part of this important work, especially in spreading awareness and sharing their valuable experience at the Task Force’s annual summits (more on that later).
HIFTF gathering, with Wally on far right.
Fentanyl Task Force
The task force began in 2021, after the loss of a Big Island adolescent to a Fentanyl overdose. Having lost a loved one to overdose, Wally has dedicated a great deal of time, effort, and aloha in pursuit of raising awareness and saving lives. The Task Force advocates for awareness, supply and demand reduction, availability of overdose reversal medication, support networks, and helping people seek treatment and recovery.
Volunteers, including Wally (3rd from left), giving out Naloxone
You may have seen members of the Task Force at pop-up events around shopping centers, or experienced one of their trainings at your school or workplace. These efforts will continue, and you can contact them any time to arrange these events, or to volunteer at them.
They are also always looking for partners and sites. For example, University of Washington medical students have been running popup events on the Kona side, while Kaʻū Rural Health helps reach families on the south side of the island, and St. Jude’s Church hosts regular community resource events for families in Ocean View.
Distributing Naloxone (the overdose reversal medication, commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan) is also a key part of their work. Opioid overdoses do not have to be fatal if Naloxone is accessible, but people also need to be trained to recognize the signs of overdose and how to respond. Thus, the Task Force engages in on-site trainings and pop-up distributions to as much of the community as possible. They also worked to get stocks of Naloxone available at different distributors, as well as in bars. If you have an old package that is nearly or recently expired, the Task Force can help you get new doses.
Annual Fentanyl & Addictions Summit
Each year, HIFTF hosts a summit to bring the community together, including youth. This year’s summit is in Waimea on April 29th, with a focus on both substance misuse and mental health. The event is free of charge, open to both professionals and the public.
Panelists at the 2025 ʻŌpio Rising themed summit.
Click here to learn more about this and past summits, and to register:
Latest Initiatives
In recent years, the Task Force hired people to focus on outreach and education, especially in traditional and social medias. They also have a new partnership with Nā Leo TV and Kealakehe High School’s media program. Kealakehe students will be covering the summit events, interviewing people, and creating awareness campaigns. HIFTF sponsored a Fentanyl Awareness category for Nā Leo’s Youth Media Challenge last year.
Nā Leo Youth Media Challenge award ceremony.
HIFTF has also started a policy committee to consider how legal and medical policy changes might improve the systems and situations. Partnerships and advocacy can be key to making changes at the community, district, county, and state level. We look forward to hearing their recommendations, especially those created with young people.
Get Involved
Every generation needs to be ready and aware, because there will always be something. Fentanyl gets a lot of attention and maintains a dangerous presence on the island, but new drugs will continue to appear. It is important to listen to what people are really saying, and to observe what goes on in the community.
To prevent opioid overdose, get Naloxone and know how to use it. The Task Force can definitely help with that. Encourage others to do the same, and to know the signs of overdose. You can use these resources from HIFTF’s website, and put them up in places where people will see them.
The Task Force accepts volunteers and donations, as well. Although links are not yet on the website, for now you can contact the task force to make a tax-deductible contribution, volunteer, or request a visit.
Mahalos
HIFTF is proud to partner with many organizations in different communities, including healthcare professionals, first responders, community service providers, government officials, and more.
Big Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC) is part of the leadership team and acts as the nonprofit fiscal sponsor organization.
Lastly, we want to thank Wally for his work in Hokupa‘a and the Task Force, among his other community commitments.
If you’d like to learn more about our Navigation Council, please visit our About page.
