Non‑Discrimination Policy
Benefit Raises Over $120,000
Posted October 08, 2015
Mahalo to all of you who supported this year’s Kokua for Kupuna fundraiser, and helped make it a tremendous success. On September 26th, hundreds of guests attended the sold out event, enjoyed a delicious luau dinner beachfront and under the stars at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and were treated to the Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning talents of Na Leo Pilimehana. Proceeds from this event will help individuals who have no means to pay for our services.
Nearly 80% of our nursing home residents are covered by Medicaid, which means that they fall below poverty income levels. Unfortunately Medicaid does not fully cover the cost of providing around the clock care. The funds raised from this event will help us to continue our 69 year legacy of caring for individuals in Maui’s community who cannot afford it.
In addition, this year we are grateful for your support in meeting the $10,000 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge put forth by Bill Moore and the O.L. Moore Foundation to help provide a doctor for individuals at our two nursing homes who dho not have one. A total of over $20,000 was raised!
We were proud to have honored individuals Donna Jaffe and Brian Sato for their contributions, and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and the PGA TOUR for over 15 years of support and dedication to Hale Makua Health Services. The Hyundai Tournament of Champions and its host organizations have donated over $5.3 million to Maui community charities since its move to Maui in 1999. Hale Makua Health Services is privileged to have been a benefitting charity of the Tournament since 2002, and has received over $800,000 in funds.
The funds from the Tournament have been instrumental in renovating resident bathrooms at Hale Makua Wailuku; expanding Hale Makua Kahului’s physical, occupational and speech therapy rehabilitation center; furthering resident-directed care and creating more home-like environments at both of our nursing homes; and providing extensive financial assistance to individuals who are unable to afford the cost of care and services.
Highlighting the evening were guest speakers, Donora Kahaiali’i, Ed Romson, and Minnie Yap who shared their experiences with our services. Ed’s mother, Dorothy Romson, was the former Director of Nursing at Hale Makua Kahului, a long-time Auxiliary volunteer, a resident at Care Homes by Hale Makua, and most recently a resident at Hale Makua Wailuku. Minnie Yap is a resident at Hale Makua Kahului, and her mother Donora, spoke on her behalf. Minnie stole the show with her enthusiasm and hula performance with Na Leo Pilimehana.
Thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors, Special Events Committee, volunteers, and talented emcees Teresa Lopes and Ted Tucker. We are tremendously grateful to the businesses that made donations to our silent auction; and our generous and committed sponsors who made this year’s event possible:
- Title Sponsor: Atlas Insurance Agency
- Major Sponsor: Carlsmith Ball, LLP
- Supporting Sponsors: ACM Consultants, Alexander & Baldwin, American Savings Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Genesis Rehab Services, HFM Foodservice, Hawaii Gas, Kaiser Permanente, KPOA, Maui Soda & Ice Works / Roselani Tropics Ice Cream, MedAssets, Munekiyo Hiraga, Obenauf Law Group, Ohana Health Plan, Sakamoto Properties, Servco Foundation, Towers Watson, United Healthcare Community Plan, VIP Foodservice / Island Grocery Depot
Photos by Lisa Villiarimo clockwise from top left: Nelson Okumura and Kum Kim; guests enjoying a luau dinner at sunset; individual honoree Donna Jaffe with daughter Jodi Jaslow, left, and emcee Teresa Lopes, right; Minnie Yap and Donora Kahaili'i perform the hula with Na Leo Pilimehana; Dayna and Len Inokuma; honoree Hyundai Tournament of Champions and the PGA TOUR's Tournament Director Nancy Cross with CEO Tony Krieg and emcee Ted Tucker; Bonnie Friedman and Cathy Nobriga Kim
For more photos from the event, click here.