New Service for Kupuna Simplifies COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Process

NEWS RELEASE: New Service for Kupuna Simplifies COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Process

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

ELIZABETH A. CHAR, MD
DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2021                                                                                                                      21-050


New service for kūpuna simplifies COVID-19 vaccination registration process;
capable of more than 1,000 calls per day

HONOLULU – A new service is making it easier for Oahu kūpuna who are not comfortable with the online registration process for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Trained specialists available seven days a week are providing personalized assistance to help those age 65 and above navigate the registration process, secure appointments and also help ῥligible individuals arrange for transportatioî to a vaccination provider.

The call center — a collaboration among the Executive Office on Aging, an attached agency of the Hawai‘i Department of Health; the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division; Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1; and St. Francis Healthcare System — emerged as a collective solution to coordinate vaccines for kūpuna who have limited access to technology and face language barriers.

“The Department of Health alone cannot implement all of the different aspects of the state’s multi-faceted vaccination plan,” said Dr. Libby Char, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “The best ideas are coming from our community partners. We are grateful for those who are deeply committed to kūpuna, who recognized their needs, and found a solution to fill this need.

“Kūpuna make up a significant percentage of our state’s total population, and the Executive Office on Aging and our Policy Advisory Board on Elderly Affairs have been tireless advocates of vaccination access for our kūpuna,” said Caroline Cadirao, director of the state’s Executive Office on Aging. “We’ve listened to concerns and insights from the community, leveraged the expertise oῦ our partners, and came up with this solution. It speaks to the power of collaboration.

“We are proud to have Derrick Ariyoshi, administrator of our Elderly Affairs Division, and other partners working together to make it easier for our kūpuna to get vaccinated" said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “The City and County of Honolulu played a pivotal role in bringing the state and nonprofit partners together. When we have the assurance that our këpuna are being taken care of, we can have peace of mind, and this will allow us to focus on economic recovery to improve our quality of life.

Hawai‘i Department of Health made vaccinations available to those 65 and above — on Monday, March 15, because vaccine supply from the federal government has increased and the state had made significant progress in vaccinating healthcare professionals, residents of long-term care facilities, frontline essential workers and kūpuna 75 and older.

Seniors or family caregivers can simply call 2-1-1 to begin the registration process. Aloha United Way’s (AUW) 2-1-1 team of about 20 trained specialists and supervisors is responsible for the initial intake process. Information is then securely transferred electronically to the St. Francis Healthcare System call center team which will follow up with kupuna who have called AUW's 2-1-1 within 24 to 48 hours. St. Francis will then help these kupuna schedule a convenient vaccination date, time and location, depending upon the availability of vaccine doses. St. Francis is using a sophisticated Salesforce application to manage and process the information and efficiently manage the scheduling process.

St. Francis is partnering with a number of vaccination providers, including Hawai‘i Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, CVS Longs Drugs, Walgreens, and independent pharmacies. St. Francis also arranges for transportation for eligible seniors to take them to a vaccination site, if necessary.

“The process that we have developed is scalable and has allowed us to ramp up to be ready to serve the large number of those who are 65 years and above,” said Melissa Ah Ho-Mauga, St. Francis Healthcare System’s vice president – client services. “It’s a great feeling to be working on this as a team to continually improve the way we serve kupuna.

“National trends show that vaccine accessibility improves when a convenient, central intake phone number is the backbone,” said Lisa Kimura, AUW’s vice president of community impact. “AUW’s 2-1-1 helpline is a natural fit for this effort because we already provide essential information to Hawai‘i residents of all ages who need loca resources like medical care, food banks, legal assistance, and more. We also have language translation services on stand-by so that language is not a barrier for those who call.

High standards in customer service and information referrals are some of the reasons 2-1-1 was selected for this collaborative effort. Jennifer Pecher, AUW’s director of community impact said the call center’s specialists are specifically trained to handle complex inquiries and they are guided by Information and Referral Services standards set by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. Since the pandemic arrived in Hawai˜i, the helpline's call volume increased by 600%, prompting Aloha United Way to hire and train additional 2-1-1 specialists.

The kupuna call center, operated by 2-1-1, will receive calls seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Translation services are also available.

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Honolulu City Council introduces resolution in support of Kokua Council’s demand to the Department of Health

On September 16, the Honolulu City Council introduced a resolution in support of Kokua Council’s demand that the state hire a sufficient number of contact tracers and language translators.

View status of Honolulu City Council RES20...

Kokua Council files action with the Hawaii Supreme Court to compel the Department of Health to increase the number of contact tracers in Hawaii

 

HONOLULU September 8, 2020 – Kokua Council files action with the Hawaii Supreme Court to compel the Department of Health to increase the number of contact tracers in Hawaii and to require that translation services to LEP (Limited English Proficiency) persons be provided.

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Kokua Council has filed a petition for mandamus with the Supreme Court. A copy of the submission is available for download here:

https://c.gmx.com/@557865434540414200/8q2cn6xXTP6AZBgCfe2yHg

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On Wednesday, September 2, Kokua Council sent a letter to Health Director Bruce Anderson, Attorney General Clare Connors and Governor David Ige stating its demand that the Department of Health commit to act as required by law to protect lives and livelihoods against spread of the coronavirus in Hawaii. A reply was requested by today, September 8, 2020 at 10:00, with the expectation that the DOH would have this information readily at hand. No reply has been received.

Meanwhile, the spread of the virus continues at an alarming rate, with deaths reported daily. Pacific Islanders and the Filipino communities are being hardest hit.

The lack of interpreters and written health information for contacts harms not just the individual but also society at large. We all face greater risk of community spread due to Department of Health inaction.

Kokua Council seeks to compel DOH action via the Court in the face of the drastically increased incidence of outbreaks particularly on Oahu. We can no longer remain silent. The State administration has shown itself to be ineffective in putting in place the required number of contact tracers even though trained personnel are standing by to do the work. The Legislature lacks the power to intervene. So today we asked that the Judiciary act to enforce existing law.

"We do not live in a dictatorship. The Department of Health's failure to act is subject to review and is redressible by court process." said Lance D. Collins, Kokua Council's attorney.

The petition filed today seeks Court intervention in two areas: (1) hiring an adequate number of contact tracers actively doing contact tracing, and (2) hiring an adequate number of interpreters and translators for contact tracing persons.

Kokua Council holds that the state has a legal obligation to conduct contact tracing to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. From the information available to Kokua Council, the state has failed to act, contrary to its legal obligation to do so.

The Governor's Emergency Proclamations mandate: "All persons shall comply with applicable guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as State, county, industry and regulatory requirements for safe practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19." This mandate to comply with CDC guidance includes the Director of the Department of Health.

The CDC has issued guidance that states that "Case investigation and contact tracing are fundamental activities." It goes on to say that contact tracing "is a core disease control measure that has been employed by public health agency personnel for decades." It requires local health authorities to hire an adequate number of contact tracers.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials estimate that an adequate number of contact tracers for Hawaii's population during the COVID-19 emergency would be 420 contact tracers. Accepting DOH self-reported numbers, Hawaii has 212 contact tracers. Subsequent reports indicate that a number of these contact tracers are in fact doing clerical and other non-contact tracing work.

Both CDC guidance and Hawaii state law require that contact tracing occur in the contact’s primary language and that health information related to limiting the spread of COVID-19 be provided to persons exposed in their primary language. The Department is failing to do both. Pacific Islander and Filipino communities are being hardest hit but the lack of interpreters and written health information for contacts harms not just the individual but all of us who now face greater risk of community spread.

It is predicted that if the spread of the coronavirus is not checked rapidly, hospital ICU capacity will be exceeded. An increase in deaths would be inevitable. Most affected would be older adults, our kupuna, who are the most susceptible to the coronavirus, and members of LEP populations.

In 2016 Kokua Council successfully sued the DOH over its failure to post inspection reports of state-licensed care facilities online as required by a 2013 law. Then, as now, the Department of Health persisted in ignoring a law, putting Hawaii citizens at risk.

Today we face the prospect of waves of lockdowns that threaten the economy, with many business facing permanent shutdowns and residents unable to earn enough to pay for food or for their rent or mortgages. Lockdowns hurt us all, as does the rising toll of illness and deaths. Kokua Council feels that the DOH should be moving as fast as is humanly possible to fulfill its responsibilities—and that the law requires them to do so. Controlling the spread of the virus is key to minimizing the need for future lockdowns.

Kokua Council presented its concerns that the Director was not complying with his mandatory obligations in a letter dated September 2, 2020 but there has been no reply. Accordingly, we have asked our attorney to file our writ of mandamus with the Court today.

Kokua Council demands immediate action on the part of Hawaii state government to protect its citizens and our kupuna

 

Older adults, our kupuna, are the most susceptible to the coronavirus. Kokua Council asks why required action is not being taken to protect them in the face of the drastically increased incidence of outbreaks particularly on Oahu. It is predicted that if the spread is not checked rapidly, hospital ICU capacity will be exceeded. An increase in deaths would be inevitable.

We are particularly distressed to learn of the continued inaction of our state Department of Health, in particular the refusal of DOH head Bruce Anderson and epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park to remedy the acute shortage of contract tracers that renders the program ineffective. Although Anderson has acknowledged that contact tracing is “really where the action is,” his Department has failed to launch the numbers of contact tracers who are available to provide this necessary anti-spread strategy. 450 were trained but not yet deployed. Press and legislative investigations indicate variously that either 15 or 105 contract tracers are at work – all outrageously overloaded. This cannot continue.

Nor has Governor David Ige yet interceded. This is an administrative management failure that is his responsibility to resolve.

Related failures that can only contribute to an increasing death rate, in particular among our kupuna, have been reported in the press or social media: an article on Civil Beat alleges that the DOH is not providing mobility data that could indicate how people are aggregating. Another DOH failure to protect us was highlighted in a social media post alleging that Hawaii is not conducting the baseline testing in kupuna care facilities required by federal guidelines.

Our state government is now failing in its efforts to control the pandemic. While just a few weeks ago the state basked in the statistics that we were among the healthiest states in handling the virus, that glow quickly faded as the increasing numbers of those infected propelled Hawaii into the state where the virus is most rapidly spreading.

Urgent action must be taken now, right now.

In March, weeks before Governor Ige issued “stay-at-home” orders, the Kokua Council held a conference asking the government to address its plans to protect older adults. In an April Kokua Council conference, long term care ombudsman John McDermott and his colleagues addressed their concerns regarding the vulnerability of residents and caregivers in nursing homes and long term care facilities. Their foreboding has come to pass. On a daily basis we learn of infections in more and more facilities. In recent days the passing of older adults has also become a daily statistic.

Kokua Council asks, no we demand, that Hawaii’s government take immediate action to protect all of its citizens, and especially its vulnerable kupuna population.

Kokua Council 2019 Legislative Priorities Community Meeting

The video is courtesy Doug Matsuoka, board member of Kokua Council.
Use the list below to select a particular speaker from the session.




Select a specific speaker by moving to:

02:06 Kathryn Xian, PASS
06:39 Michelle Cordero-Lee, Hawaii Meals on Wheels
14:46 Sarah Yuan, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs
24:12 Kat Brady, Community Alliance on Prisons
27:50 Martha Randolph, Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii
36:27 Dale Head, Condo issues
40:27 Lourdes Scheibert, Condo issues
46:22 Dave Mulinix, 350 Hawaii
57:08 Lila Mower, Hui ʻOia ʻiʻo
1:02:22 Nicole Woo, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice
1:07:28 Ashleigh Loa, Faith Action for Community Equity
1:08:43 Jodi Malinoski, Sierra Club
1:13:17 JoAnn Goss, HARA and HSTA Retired
1:16:14 Candace Fujikane, KAHEA
1:21:26 Jessica Wooley, AARP
1:27:25 Sandy Ma, Common Cause Hawaii
1:30:01 Pokiʻi Balaz, Alzheimer's Association

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No general meeting Nov or Dec 2018

Please note that the November meeting has been canceled and that there is no regular meeting in December each year.

Happy Holidays!

Next general meeting will be in January 2019

From president Jim Shon:

Dear Senior Advocates. It is almost Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday, followed by Christmas, New Years, etc.

And since our featured November Speaker George Clooney cancelled on us, we decided to take a pause in our usual Monthly meetings until next year, when we begin again our mission to work for a more age friendly community.

Happy Holidays from your Friends and Colleagues at Kokua Council.

Jim Shon

Kokua Council September 24 program: Consumer Protection, Averting Homelessness, and Other Challenges for Seniors in Condos

Please Join Us for Lunch

Monday, September 24, 2018-- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation

11:50 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, President

12:00 Program:  “Consumer Protection, Averting Homelessness, and Other Challenges for Seniors in Condos”

Featuring Benedyne Stone, Condo Specialist, DCCA Real Estate Branch, Daria Loy-Goto, DCCA Regulated Industries Complaints Office, Lourdes Scheibert, condo owner/board member/owners’ advocate, and Ryan Robertson, Manager, Atlas Insurance Agency

1:00 Adjourn

Kokua Council August 27 Program: Consumer Protection and Challenges For Seniors in Condos

Please Join Us for Lunch

Monday, August 27, 2018-- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation

11:50 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, President

12:00 Program:  “Consumer Protection and Challenges For Seniors in Condos”

Featuring representatives of the state’s Real Estate Branch (Condo Specialists), Daria Loy-Goto of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office and Lourdes Scheibert, condo owner/board member/advocate

1:00 Adjourn

Many seniors don’t get the food aid they would qualify for -- how to get help applying

Do you know any Hawaii kupuna struggling to afford adequate food? Please tell them to call @HelpingHandsHI 440-3812 to check if they qualify for #SNAP food stamps. If they do qualify, @HelpingHandsHI will help them apply too!

Kokua Council Windward July 19 program: Making the World a Much Better Place

Pohai Nani, Club Room, 2^nd Floor,
45-090 Namoku Street, Kaneohe

COMMUNITY WELCOME

Agenda:

11:30 (Optional) — Buffet Lunch in Dining Room, $11. Reservation and Information: Samuel Cox (808) 779-3606 or revsamuelcox@gmail.com .

12:30 Program: Prof. Richard Miller: “Making the World a Much Better Place”

Richard Miller is Emeritus Dean & Professor, William S. Richardson School of Law

1:30 Adjourn

More Information: Samuel Cox 779-3606, Richard Miller 254-1796

June 25 program: “Meet and converse with Hawaii’s First Lady, Dawn Amano-Ige”

Please Join Us for Lunch

Monday, June 25, 2018-- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation

11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, President

12:00 Program: Kathy Wyatt: “Please join us
to meet and converse with Hawaii’s First Lady,
Dawn Amano-Ige”

1:00 Adjourn

Dawn Amano-Ige is currently a member of the Spouses’ Leadership Committee for the National Governor’s Association.

In her role as first lady, Mrs. Ige draws on her experiences as an educator and business woman. She supports education, particularly in the areas of STEAM (Science, Technology education, Arts and Math), global education, and international student exchanges. Mrs. Ige was honored in 2016 by the Public School of Hawaii Foundation.

Mrs. Ige also promotes healthy living through the Department of Health’s Choose Healthy Now program.

Professionally, Mrs. Ige was an educator who most recently served as vice principal of Kanoelani Elementary School and Moanalua High School. Prior to working in school administration, she was a 3rd grade teacher for over 10 years at Waimalu Elementary School. Mrs. Ige previously worked in business as marketing director of Kapiolani Health Care System and as an account executive for the public relations firm of Stryker Weiner Associates.

Mrs. Ige was born and raised in Ewa, Hawai and is a graduate of James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii, where she met her husband. She also earned a master’s degree business from Chaminade University in Honolulu. After having children, she returned to the University of Hawaii at Manoa for a professional diploma in elementary education.

The Iges have three children, Lauren, who is an attorney in Washington, D.C; Amy, a registered nurse in Jacksonville, Florida, and Matthew, who is a senior at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. (from http://governor.hawaii.gov/meet-the-first-lady/)

Kokua Council Windward June 21, 2018 program: Senator Will Espero: Housing and Other Issues in Hawaii

Pohai Nani, Club Room, 2^nd Floor,
45-090 Namoku Street, Kaneohe

COMMUNITY WELCOME

Agenda:

11:30 (Optional) — Buffet Lunch in Dining Room, $11. Reservation and Information: Samuel Cox (808) 779-3606 or revsamuelcox@gmail.com .

12:30 Program: Senator Will Espero : “Housing and Other Issues in Hawaii, A Report from the Legislature”

Will Espero has had a distinguished career in the Hawaii Senate for 18 years. He has served as the Majority Leader and most recently the Vice President of the Senate.

He will share some of the most recent legislature accomplishments especially Housing and Other Issues.

They found over half a billion dollars for affordable housing -- packaged in a way that developers were confident will actually lead to construction fairly soon.

Lawmakers continued funding for ongoing homeless programs like Housing First, which have been making slow progress. But also made another serious investment, $30 million for six Ohana Zones which will quickly provide housing for those who are still unsheltered.

1:30 Adjourn

More Information: Samuel Cox 779-3606, Richard Miller 254-1796

Honolulu announces opening of Section 8 wait list

 From the City and County website:

Opening of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Wait List

The City and County of Honolulu’s Section 8 HCV Wait List will be open on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 7:45 a.m. to Friday, June 8, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.  For details, please read the Public Notice which was posted in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

Reminder:  Please review the List of Information needed to fill-in the pre-application.  The link to the online pre-application is at https://tinyurl.com/oahuvoucherwl  It will be available only during the Wait List opening period.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions.

Spread the word on SNAP benefits for kupuna

Do you know any food-insecure seniors? They may not know they could qualify for SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Let them know!

Kokua Council Windward Thursday, May 10th Program: "Cherish the Earth with Sierra Club"

Pohai Nani, Club Room, 2^nd Floor,
45-090 Namoku Street, Kaneohe

COMMUNITY WELCOME

Agenda:

11:30 (Optional) — Buffet Lunch in Dining Room, $11. Reservation and Information: Samuel Cox 779-3606, Richard Miller 254-1796 or Mary Piette 263-5956

12:30 Program: Kimiko Lahaela-Walter: "Cherish the Earth with Sierra Club"

Kimiko is the Conservation Program Coordinator for the Sierra Club of Hawaii.

The Sierra Club of Hawai'i is one of the oldest and most effective grassroots environmental organizations in the islands.  Founded in 1968, they currently have more than 16,000 members and supporters volunteering to help people better explore, enjoy, and protect Hawaiʻi's unique environment and wildlife. 

They inspire residents of all ages to get outdoors, experience our unique environment, and stand up for the things we all love about the Hawaiian Islands.

Not only does the Sierra Club advocate for sustainability, but they practice it through on-the-ground conservation. Their outings and service programs organize hundreds of volunteers each year to perform such tasks as native species planting, trail building, beach cleanups, and invasive species removal.

1:30 Adjourn

May 23, 2018–12th Annual “The Good, Bad and the Ugly” post-legislative forum

There is no regular meeting in May.

Instead:

Please join us for the 12th Annual Post Legislative Forum

"The Good, Bad, and the Ugly"

Sponsored by the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans (HARA) and Kokua Council

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 8:30 am to noon at the State Capitol, Room 325

Cost: Free A continental breakfast and light lunch will be provided. To reserve a space, please RSVP by calling 722-9937 or email: wongj060@hawaii.rr.com.

Invited legislators include:

Senator Ronald Koucbi, Senate President
Senator Michelle Kidani, Senate Vice President
Senator Rosalyn Baker, Commerce, Consumer
       Protection & Health Chair
Senator Josh Green, Human Services Chair
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Ways & Means Chair
Senator Will Espero, Housing Chair
Representative Scott Saiki, House Speaker
Representative Mark Nakashima, House Vice Speaker
Representative John Mizuno, Health & Human
        Services Chair
Representative Della Au Belatti, Majority Leader
Representative Sylvia Luke, Finance Chair
Representative Gregg Takayama, Kupuna Caucus Co-Chair

“Shining Light Awards” will be presented to individuals who have contributed to advancing issues in the Legislature and the community of senior advocates in the legislative process.
            

The Legislative Review is a forum to hear from legislators about how senior issues fared this session and to allow attendees to share issues and concerns that may be considered in the 2019 Legislative Session and beyond.

Monday, April 23 program: Is adult day care the key to community-based senior care?

Please Join Us for Lunch

Monday, April 23, 2018-- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation
11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, President
12:00 Program: Kathy Wyatt: “Is adult day care the key to community-based senior care?”
1:00 Adjourn

Kathy Wyatt is a Registered Nurse, a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Certified Director of Nursing in Long Term Care, and Certified Administrator of Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Residential Care Homes.  Ms. Wyatt is on the Kokua Council Board and is active in Kupuna Caucus. She runs a non- profit organization, Hale Hau’oli Hawaii, that is committed to meeting the needs of the elderly and their caregivers through community education programs, resources and referrals, and an adult day care.

For program details, see the April Kokua Council newsletter.

Monday, March 26, 2018 Kokua Council program: Working towards common ground on the Jones Act

Please Join Us for Lunch

Monday, March 26, 2018-- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

“Working towards common ground on the Jones Act”

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation
11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, Interim President
12:00 Program: Joe Kent: “Working towards common ground on the Jones Act”
1:00 Adjourn

Joe Kent is Vice President of Research, The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

For program details, see the March Kokua Council newsletter.

MONDAY, February 26, 2018 program: Legislative Review—The key bills and issues in the 2018 session

Please Join Us for Lunch

MONDAY, February 26, -- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Legislative Review

The Key Bills and Issues in the 2018 Session

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation
11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, Interim President
12:00 Program: The Key Bills and Issues in the 2018 Session
1:00 Adjourn

IN MEMORIUM

One of Kokua Council’s longest serving leaders, Laura Manis, recently passed away. Laura was a major contributor to senior advocacy for many years, chairing our legislative committee. She knew all the people, and all the issues. Laura will be missed. We can honor her by remembering that each and every one of us can continue to be engaged in our democracy, and in carefully following how our government responds to the challenges of a rapidly aging community.

Kokua Council Windward Thursday, January 11 program

Kokua Council Windward

& Pohai Nani Green Team

Thursday, January 11th  12:30-1:30 p.m.   

Pohai Nani 2^nd Floor Club Room

Honolulu Opala Program Recycling Specialist Evan K. Bisho will give a presentation on what and how residents in the community and at Pohal Nani should sort their recyclables and other wastes that go to the city transfer stations and H-Power under the present Department of Environmental Services Refuse Division.

There are current community concerns that the policies of the city’s garbage disposal and recycling program will be changed in a few years.

Jerry Aglipay, Pohai Nani maintenance supervisor will explain the disposal of waste and recycling operations at Pohai Nani.

We welcome Pohai Nani and Kaneohe community residents to attend this meeting.

For more information: Chuck Burrows 595-3922, Duane Preble 551-5994, Samuel Cox 779-3606, Dick Miller 254-1796

Monday, January 29, 2018 program: Legislative Review—The Key Bills and Issues in the 2018 Session

Please Join Us for Lunch

Last Monday in January -- 11:30 A.M. To 1:00 p.m.

Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Legislative Review

The Key Bills and Issues in the 2018 Session

Agenda:
11:30 Luncheon (optional) : Various Pizzas, Salad, and dessert—$5.00 Donation
11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, Interim President
12:00 Program: The Key Bills and Issues in the 2018 Session
1:00 Adjourn

Governor’s press release: Kupuna Caregivers Program provides up to $70 per day to cover cost of adult care services

Hot press release – not yet posted on the Governor’s website:

December 13, 2017 17-104

State launches landmark Kupuna Caregivers Program to help working caregivers pay for support services for older adults

HONOLULU - Working caregivers who pay for services to support their kupuna may now be eligible for financial help of up to $70 per day to cover the cost of adult day care, chore services, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care, respite, or transportation. The Hawaii Executive Office on Aging (EOA) is launching the state's Kupuna Caregivers Program which was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. David Ige to help Hawaii's working caregivers.

"The landmark initiative is a first step in recognizing the significant contributions and sacrifices of Hawaii's working caregivers as they celebrate and honor their kupuna," said Gov. David Ige. "Support for our caregivers is critically needed as Hawaii's population is aging more rapidly than the national average and our seniors live longer than seniors in any other state."

Under Act 102, qualified caregivers who apply for the program may receive up to $70 per day in services (subject to the availability of funds and paid directly to contracted service providers, not the caregiver). To be eligible, caregivers must be employed at least 30 hours a week by one or more employers and provide direct care to a care recipient who is a citizen of the US or a qualified alien, 60 years of age or older, and not covered by any comparable government or private home and community-based care service, except kupuna care services. The care recipient cannot reside in a long-term care facility and must have impairments of at least two activities of daily living or two instrumental activities of daily living or one activity of daily living and one instrumental activity of daily living or substantive cognitive impairment requiring substantial supervision.

"We are hopeful that this program will provide working caregivers with the opportunity to continue working and with peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are safe and are receiving services and supports that maximize their independence and quality of life," said Terri Byers, director of the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging. "EOA is looking forward to analyzing the data we collect during this first six-month pilot period to evaluate demand for services, provider capacity, and how effective the program is in helping caregivers retain employment and ease financial burden."

Interested caregivers should contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) as soon as possible to apply for the program. Program funding is limited to a total of $600,000 available until June 30, 2018 unless a subsequent appropriation is made by the Hawaii State Legislature. Applying for the program includes employment verification, assessment of the care recipient, and a caregiver burden assessment. For further information or to apply, call the ADRC statewide phone number (808) 643-2372, ADRC TTY line (808) 643-0899, or go to http://www.hawaiiadrc.org.

Monday November 27 Program: Disaster Preparedness: Can we protect our seniors?

PLEASE JOIN US FOR LUNCH

Monday November 27, 2017, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church, Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.
Ample parking—driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

TOPIC: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: CAN WE PROTECT OUR SENIORS?

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

• Inspector Nelson Makua who is with the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Honolulu Fire Department
• Toby Clairmont who is the Executive Officer of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
• John Cummings III who is Public Information Officer for the City and County’s Department of Emergency Management

Agenda:

11:30 Luncheon: Various Pizzas, Salad, and Dessert—$5.00 Donation

11:45 Welcome, Introductions and Remarks, Jim Shon, Interim President

12:00 Panel of Experts’ remarks and Q&A.

1:00 Adjourn