Wednesday, August 20, 2008

APT Blood Borne Pathogens Course a success!

As you might know, yesterday Peggy gave the Alliance of Professional Tattooists course and exam for the first time in Hawai’i. It went very well, although was just a bit challenging for those of us taking it! About 10 folks from Dept. of Health and Sanitation observed (but left before the test). Heather Lusk with the infectious disease division of DOH, and Hawaii's CDC representative, was present and provided free Hepatitis B vaccines. I think it was a real success on many levels. All passed the exam. Many, according to Peggy, passed with flying colors! A fantastic free lunch was provided by CVS pharmacy. The high attendance proves that many tattooists have the motivation and interest to further their knowledge and learn more about hygiene and disease. Since it was a full house, the course will be repeated here for those that were unable to attend.

Contact Peggy (ladytattoo@hawaii.rr.com) if you’d like to be notified of future dates, including off-island dates.

If you are still in need of Hep B vaccines, contact Heather Lusk, (heather.lusk@doh.hawaii.gov) to make arrangements. If there are several of you, it may be possible for her to come do it at your shop.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

July update on regulation revisions

Peggy kindly typed this summary of our recent meeting. I will try to post the complete proposed revisions of the regs under COMMENTS, but it may be too large.

Update: We met with Rep. Mizuno on Monday, July 7, for an informational briefing. The DOH, the CDC and numerous other entities were present. Tricia, Sean, Conor and myself came loaded for bear, but to our pleasant surprise the DOH admitted they had not revised the test or the guidelines for over 17 years (the test has been 27 years). With their admission, our prepared arguments were rather moot. Tricia and Sean did speak eloquently before the group about the need for revisions & updates, and for the addition of body piercing regulations .

Dr. Tice with the CDC spoke first and his honest approach set the stage for open discussions. Larry Lau from the DOH spoke of educating the public about safe and non-safe tattooing. We had brought in visual aids of of sterilized good, clean technique set up, and proper barrier protection, as well as tools--both modern and traditional. I think the DOH, CDC, and the press were duly impressed!

Overall we came away with a huge sigh of relief at how smooth it all went. We are not letting our guard down, but it sure wasn't the battle we had anticipated. The media coverage was also amazing. See http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/08/news/story10.html and http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/NEWS01/807080336/1001/LOCALNEWSFRONT

The DOH and CDC are working together now to revamp the regs and the test. Hopefully they will continue to work with us and accept our input. We'll keep you all posted of new developments. We owe huge thanks to Heather Lusk and Representative Mizuno, who both seem 100% committed to seeing this through.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Update on new bill for 2009

Our meeting on May 5th with Representative John Mizuno went very well. We are optimistic that we can create a new bill that will allow for both temporary tattoo licenses and tattoo conventions in a safe manner. See the COMMENTS under our last meeting announcement for more details.

Friday, April 25, 2008

General meeting Mon. 4/28 at 10 am

Our next general meeting will be Monday Apr. 28th at 10 am at Aisea's shop, Soul Signatures. Please come! We hope to vote in our representatives that will continue to work on statute/exam revisions, as well as other committees, such as a media team. Jas has also been invited to address the group on his proposed convention plans.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Licensed tattooists & shops are listed online

There is a list of all licensed tattooists & shops on the DOH website at
http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/sanitation/tattoo.html

Monday, April 14, 2008

Meeting Wed.4/16 @ 10:00 am- Come!

There will be another meeting on Wed. 4/16 at 10:00 am at Aisea's shop, Soul Signatures.
Please come if you are curious about what's happened in the last 10 days, and what needs to happen from here. Or if you want to see a general tattooists association continue. My drive is toward updating our outdated regulations, and seeing that the exam is revised and pertinent (as you probably know, it's horribly out of date). Some would like an association with more general long-term goals, so if that's you, come help make it happen! We've proven we can join forces for a greater cause!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Free Hepatitis B vaccines!

Free Hepatitis B vaccines are available at the Diamondhead STD clinic near KCC in Kaimuki. They are also avail. at other clinics at a minimal cost, but it's FREE at Diamondhead! Hep. B is by far the greatest risk we face in dealing with blood & bodily fluids. They really are a good idea for anyone in a tattoo shop.

Tattoo Talk, Hawai'i

This is simply created to give tattooists, tattoo shop owners & shop employees an easy means of communication. With the recent legislative bills, and possible changes in regulations, a means of easy communication is a necessity. This is not a place to vent or rave, but concisely express your concerns and post pertinent news.