HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Hawaii Department of Health is severely short-staffed, working continuously to fill vacancies to avoid disruption of services. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Health officials met with lawmakers from the Senate and Means Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 8 to discuss funding for the years ahead. State looks to fill hundreds of vacancies at Hawaii schools As of now, the department is only 70% staffed and DOH Director Kenneth Fink said they have been stretched thin due to having to take the lead in several events. According to Fink, the events include mental health care for Maui wildfire victims, those affected by the Red Hill fuel spill, COVID-19 and most recently, bird flu. I just want to pause for a moment and express my gratitude for the work of all the DOH staff. I'm grateful for all that they do with a 30% vacancy rate. Everbody is doing a lot. And I want to recognize and appreciate that. Kenneth Fink, Hawaii Department of Health director Check out more news from around Hawaii The health department is also in charge of promoting and protecting the physical, psychological and environmental health of residents.