Imagine living and working on Moloka‘i most or all your life. Now you’re a kūpuna and many of your ‘ohana members have moved out of the family home or off the island, leaving you to live alone. You begin to feel depressed and cut off from family and even friends.
To fill this gap, the Moloka‘i Rural Health Community Association (MRHCA) runs the Moloka‘i Kupuna Program, a comprehensive program developed to provide a wide range of services, activities and socialization opportunities for seniors. Funded by the County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Office of Aging (MCOA), the program is under the direction and coordination of myself and my staff.
Activities: MRHCA has partnered with programs and individuals who provide kupuna-friendly activities, such as hula, theater, ceramics, online painting, leihulu (feather lei making), ‘ukulele classes, lauhala weaving, origami and other cultural activities. One of the program’s primary goals is to provide outlets for socialization and talk story time for kūpuna and their peers as they participate in these activities.
Health: Exercise classes, tai-chi and stretching sessions help loosen up ku¯puna’s stiff muscles. In collaboration with Sustainable Moloka‘i, ku¯puna receive free bags of fresh produce. Outreach workers visit the homebound in tandem with our public health nurses.
Education: Computer classes and online classes in Social Security, Medicare and gerontology are also offered.
Services: Kūpuna who have received haircuts, lomilomi massages or footcare from the podiatrist often say they “feel like a million dollars.” Yard and house cleaning services are also available.
The MRHCA is very grateful to provide these services to our island kūpuna and we are happy that they entrust us with their daily needs.
MOLOKA‘I RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOC.
PO Box 290614, Hoolehua, HI 96729
808-774-8991 | kupunaprogram.wixsite.com
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