"If you can't breathe, nothing else matters."

Photo: Jean Evans, American Lung Assoc. of Hawaii

The Kukui Connection, produced/hosted by Rep. Marilyn Lee, welcomes Jean Evans, executive director of the American Lung Association of Hawaii to the show on Sunday, January 10th, 4:00 p.m. on Oceanic Cable, Olelo Channel 54. (The show repeats on January 24th at 4:00 p.m.)

Following the poor air quality and dangerous fireworks of this past New Year's Eve, Rep. Lee wanted to discuss the issue with the ALA-Hawaii. Some interesting facts:

*Hawaii has the highest rate of lung disease in the country.

*More than 175,000 people in the state have some form of lung disease, which is more than the populations of Maui and Kauai combined.

*Lung cancer is the predominant cancer in the state.

*Asthma is not hereditary, but tends to run in families.

*Asthma is high in Hawaii and triggered by things like cockroaches and second hand smoke.

*The ALA-Hawaii supports a total ban on fireworks.

*Find out more about the popular Breathe Concert coming up on January 30, 2010 at the Hawaii Theatre, starring Willie K.

Learn more about the ALA-Hawaii at their website.