Legislators Honor "Living Treasures"

Since 1976, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i has, through its Living Treasures Program, honored individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their fields and who have made lifelong and significant contributions toward creating a more humane society. During yesterday's House Session, legislators took the time to recognize and thank five of our kupuna for their lifelong contributions to the state of Hawai'i.

Newly sworn-in Rep. Heather Giugni greets Goro Arakawa.

In addition to being a civic leader and accomplished businessman, Columbia University Business School graduate Goro Arakawa helped found Hawaii's Plantation Village in Waipahu. Mr. Arakawa ran the iconic Arakawa's of Waipahu store, which was opened by his Okinawan immigrant grandfather Zenpan in 1909, until its closing in 1995. 

Rep. Henry Aquino thanks Barbara Fusako Kawakami for her contributions to Hawai'i.

Barbara Fusako Kawakami has dedicated her life to preserving Japanese culture and traditions in Hawai'i. Forced to drop out of school after 8th grade for economic reasons, Mrs. Kawakami would eventually earn her Master of Arts in Asian Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa at the age of 53. She has authored several books and is best known for her expertise in Japanese immigrant clothing, picture brides in Hawai'i, and for sewing rank and awards on thousands of military uniforms. 

Rep. Scott Nishimoto with Dr. Ben Finney and his wife, Mila

Co-Founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Dr. Ben Finney is known as the creator of the Hokulea and its predecessor, the Nalehia.  In addition to being an authority on Polynesian navigation, Dr. Finney is also recognized as surfing's premier historian.

Rep. Keith-Agaran with Lynette Kahekili Paglinawan

Lynette Kahekili Paglinawan, a key force in the Hawaiian renaissance, perpetuates Hawaiian culture through music and practices ho'oponopono, a traditional Hawaiian form of conflict resolution.

Gordon Mark is joined by fellow Living Treasure, Barbara Fusako Kawakami and Rep. Marcus Oshiro 

Ukulele virtuoso Gordon Mark has compiled a repertoire of more than 1,000 songs fusing Hawaiian and Western classical music.

In addition to bringing up fond memories of the Hawai'i of the past, having these Living Treasures on the House floor supplied the Capitol with pure Aloha. Mahalo nui loa to Goro Arakawa, Barbara Fusako Kawakami, Dr. Ben Finney, Lynette Kahekili Paglinawan, and Gordon Mark for enriching Hawaii's past, enhancing its present, and inspiring its future. 

Kupuna Care Programs to suffer without more funding

During the first special session this year, the House and Senate chambers overrode a line item veto by Governor Linda Lingle which removed an appropriation of $500,000 to the Kupuna Care Program. County representatives from the Kupuna Care Programs reported to the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place (JLCAIP) today on the impacts on the program and its clients and employees if these funds are not released. Committee chairs are Rep. Marilyn Lee and Sen. Les Ihara.

It was clear at the beginning of the meeting that all counties will suffer if they do not receive additional funding for their kupuna care services, including case management, home delivered meals, transportation, personal care, chore, homemaker, attendant care and adult day care services. How many will be affected statewide has yet to be determined.

Honolulu, with the largest population of elderly citizens, would probably be hit worst. According to a report from its Elderly Affairs Division, if the funds are not released, 341 fewer clients will be served and 82,231 fewer hours of service will be provided to the elderly on Oahu. In addition, the programs will not be able to address the growing wait list problem. On Oahu, of the 320 people named on the wait list, 210 of them are there specifically because of insufficient funds.

The Executive Office on Aging will compile all County reports into one cohesive account of the consequences and effects on Kupuna Care Programs without additional funding.

In other committee updates, take a look at my notes below:

Respite Inventory Project - Grandparents raising grandchildren will be able to use respite care services. The UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the UH Department of Family and Consumer Sciences are gathering a list of respite services by cost, waitlist number and criteria for new clients, among others. The combined product will be completed in October and reported to JLCAIP. It is possible that a handbook will be made from these lists of respite service in Hawaii for distribution to the public.

Cash and Counseling Project - The demonstration phase of the projects will cost $835,000 the first year in Phase 2 and $1.35 million the second year in Phase 3. The Executive Office on Aging does not know where the money to fund Phase 2 and 3 will come from.

Family Leave Work Group and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Task Force - Both are on its way to being established and it was confirmed that both groups are subject to the Sunshine Law.

Aging and Disability Resource Center - The site of ADRC in Hilo will be completed soon and its website will be open to surfers by the end of year.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place today met to discuss the current projects that have stemmed from Act 220 (SB2830) and Act 243 (HB2520), laws that provide for a public policy program that supports family caregivers and kupuna.

Photo: Rep. Karen Awana, Rep. Marilyn Lee, Sen. Les Ihara, Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (left side of table),members of JLCAIP, listen to a report on the cash and counseling project.

Last year's bill helps spawn 170 senior apartments

Hawaii will soon see the results of a bill enacted into law last year, which authorized the use of special purpose revenue bonds, or tax-exempt bonds, to build a senior housing community in Nuuanu. The measure, introduced by Rep. Calvin Say, passed easily through both the House and Senate chambers to be made law by the Governor as Act 153 (2007).

According to the article in the Star Bulletin:

Construction on the 170-unit apartment complex -- known as 15 Craigside -- is scheduled to begin by summer's end. The first residents of the apartments along Craigside Place are expected to move in at the end of 2009.
The project consists of 27 studios, measuring 475 square feet, and 143 one-bedroom units at 695 square feet with all units licensed for assisted living so people can stay in their unit as they age. It also includes a 45-bed nursing facility.
Arcadia [the non-for-profit cooperation developing the community] has collected 115 deposits with 92 future residents putting 10 percent down, or between $15,000 and $35,000 each. Unit prices range from $148,000 to $395,000.

One of the many problems Hawaii faces is keeping up with the aging population. As baby boomers continue to get older and require care, space available in retirement homes across the state dwindles. Many seniors stay home and rely on family members to provide them with long term care and assistance, either because they choose to or because they cannot afford private assistance.

A bill that passed the legislature this year provides more assistance to family caregivers of Hawaii's aging population and other disabled persons, and includes aging in place as an issue to focus on. SB 2830 SD2 HD2 CD, which is currently on the Governor's intent-to-veto list, would:

1.)Extend the existence of the joint legislative committee on family caregiving.
2.)Change the committee's name to the joint legislative committee on aging in place (JLCAP).
3.)Expand the committee's authorization to include aging in place issues related to family caregiving.
4.)Require the Aging and Disability Resource Center to report to JLCAP.
5.)Require the Executive Office of Aging to develop a cash and counseling project.
6.)Allow kupuna care to include overnight, weekend, and emergency respite.
7.)Provide grants to caregivers for home modification.
8.)Appropriate funds to the kupuna care program.
9.)Establish a task force to focus on the needs and issues of grandparents raising grandchildren.
10.)Request the executive office on aging to continue its respite inventory project in collaboration with the University of Hawaii.

The bill was part of the Kupuna Caucus and Joint Legislative Committee on Family Caregiving packages.