About Us
At Hale Makua, our mission is to improve the well-being of the community through connection, care, and a sense of belonging.
We envision a connected and compassionate community where every voice is valued, every person belongs, where compassion guides our actions, and we create opportunities for all to thrive.
A Little About Our History
Since 1946, Hale Makua has been dedicated to caring for Maui's kūpuna. What began as a community effort to build a 24-bed home for elders in need has grown into a trusted provider of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and in-home health care. Over the years, Hale Makua has expanded through new facilities, groundbreaking projects, and campus developments in Wailuku and Kahului. Our timeline highlights the key milestones that reflect our continued commitment to serving Maui with compassion and quality care.
1946
First 24-Bed Home
Hale Makua was founded in 1946 as a home for Maui elders who needed residential care, but had no one to care for them and no means to pay for care. Following World War II, members of the Young Buddhist Association and the community raised funds and built our first 24-bed home in Happy Valley.
In 1953, Hale Makua was given the facilities at Malulani Hospital where present Hale Makua Wailuku opened in 1968 as a 124-bed nursing home featuring a unique open-air design in a lush garden setting.
1968
Pioneered In-Home Health Services
Recognizing that some who need nursing care prefer to remain at home for treatment, Hale Makua pioneered in-home health services on Maui in 1968. Demand for additional skilled nursing home beds grew during the early 1970s, and with the help of the community and government resources, Hale Makua Kahului opened its doors in 1978.
To meet the need for a safe place for adults who require restorative and rehabilitative health services during the day an adult day health program was established in 1987.
1996
Expanded Services
With the opening of the Weinberg Care Center, Hale Makua Kahului expanded by 118 beds in 1996. The opening of a short-stay rehab wing added another 16 beds in 2002 bringing the total number of beds at Hale Makua Kahului 254.
Recognizing that individuals who need minimal to moderate assistance with personal care needs prefer living in a home environment, our Adult Residential Care Home opened in 2013.
Timeline of Our History
Hale Makua's Timeline from 1946 - 2021
Our Board
Our volunteer Board of Directors provides valuable guidance and oversight of our organization, one of Maui’s largest non-government employers with over 560 employees.
Ed Romson, Chairperson
Community Member
Michael Munekiyo
Munekiyo Hiraga
Dr. Tracy Dorheim
Community Member
Alec McBarnet, Secretary
Maui Oil Company
Wesley Lo
CEO, Hale Makua Health Services (Ex-Officio)
Maggie Batangan
Maui Economic Opportunity
Grant Chun
Community Member
Rich Kishaba
Chairperson, Ohana Pacific Foundation (Ex-Officio)
Roy Sakamoto
Sakamoto Properties
Debbie Cabebe
Community Member
Hale Makua Leadership Team
Wesley Lo
Chief Executive Officer
Christiana Casio
Director of Clinical Services
Mark Souza
Director of Maintenance and Engineering
Harolyn Shimabukuro-Miyashiro
Chief of Staff
Holly Nagata
Director of Marketing & Communications
Paul Mattfeld
Vice President of Operations
Sharron Joseph
Purchasing Manager
Ibeth Echepetelecu
Director of Human Resources
Rosie Kahiamoe
Director of Nutrition Services
Hale Makua Kahului
Rodrigo Santos
Administrator
Julia Apolo
Housekeeping Manager
Kehau Watari, RN
Assistant Director of Nursing
Kayla Phillips
Assistant Administrator
Dani Waring
Health Information Management Manager
Ilaise Davis, RN
Clinical Development Coordinator
Roseanna Akina
Activities Manager
Rechille Cabading, RN
Infection Preventionist
Noreen Joyce
Social Services Manager
Jodi Versola
Adult Day Health Program Manager
Keoki Robello, RN
Director of Nursing
Hale Makua Wailuku
Paul Mattfeld
Wailuku Administrator & VP of Operations
Chiko Kealoha
Environmental Services Manager
Tea Kauhaʻa-Po
Social Services Manager
Mindy Santos
Activities Manager
Stephanie Bennett-Felipe
Health Information Management Director
Trisha Akahi
Care Home Manager
Meranda Julian, RN
Director of Nursing
Denise Carvalho, RN
Clinical Developmental & Infectionist Prevention Coordinator
Linda Bell, RN
Utilization Review Manager
Home Health Maui
(by Ohana Pacific Health)
Arnold Policarpio
Vice President of Home Health
Home Health by OPH
August Kryger
Regional Director of Rehab
Home Health by OPH
Jacqueline Dardeen
Regional Administrator
Home Health by OPH
Marita Toledo
Regional Patient Care Manager
Home Health by OPH
Charlene Akuna
Regional Director of Nursing
Home Health by OPH
Stephanie Grandy
Regional Quality Assurance and
Performance Improvement Manager
Home Health by OPH
Kālele Care Services
Erin Salez
Clinical Operations Manager for Kālele Care Services
Joyce Della
Lead APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)