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I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kawata during the very early times of NAPWA at a meeting in Philadelphia where I was the only health care provider (I am a dentist) when he first introduced me to the term, “oral manifestations of AIDS.” At that meeting through Mr. Kawata and the meeting organizers’ leadership, I learned to connect the social and oral health realms of starting out in a career providing oral health care to people living with HIV disease. Mr. Kawata, wishing you all the best.
Paul, What an inspiration you are to so many! I'm sure many would agree that you deserve a lot of "Me Time". Be kind to yourself as much as you are kind to others. Please go forth and bring a lot more unfettered "sparkle into this awful world". I feel personally comforted knowing there are people such as yourself who exist in this world. May your headand heart find fulfillment and respite after October 7th. Best regards, Paul P
Bravo to you both! What a great “exit interview” for your readers. It is truly the end of an era. Thank you, Paul. And you have left NMAC in good hands with Harold Phillips at the helm.
I had the opportunity to work with and for Paul when he was the founding director of the National AIDS Network, in DC, back in 1988-89. Paul championed "the community-based response" from the jump, and I am proud to have coauthored Public Health journal articles with Paul celebrating what our community was accomplishing across the country. It has been a pleasure across the decades to interview Paul for articles, and simply to watch him shine so brightly and for such a long time. Thank you, Paul.
I met Paul at a conference in Washington in 2009 and have seen him several times since. He is such a dedicated person who has brought so much light to the table. I wish him well! And a big THANK YOU for all you have done for the HIV community. Sincerely, Michael Fletcher
Great interview! Thanks for your service Paul and enjoy the beach!
Michael Harney
Oh, you guys... Thanks for this time together! What a lovely interview. Paul, I will miss you too. The late Marty Prairie gave me the inspiration to continue the work we do today. He loved working with you and all the advocates of his day. Enjoy your time on the beach, but put on sun screen. Six months of sunshine might burn a bit... Peace and Health and Gratitude, Michael Harney, Prevention Educator Western NC AIDS Project
September 3, 2025 • Asheville, NC