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Honoring our kupuna

Our culture means we care about, and care for, our kupuna. Of those over 65, 90% prefer staying home to receive care rather than moving to a facility. Family members here are dedicated caregivers, but providing that care creates financial and emotional stress.  Since 2019, Sharon has served as Senate Co-convener of the Legislative Kupuna Caucus which introduces and advocates for legislation that helps our seniors.  In 2023, Sharon was awarded the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society Na Lima Kokua Award for her government work to help seniors.

What she's done:​

  • Enhanced the Kupuna Care and Caregivers Programs

  • Added staff and funding to Executive Office on Aging programs including the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program which resolves complaints by residents living in care homes.

  • Expanded the State Rent Supplement Program for seniors who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless (SB898, Act 252, 2023)

 

What she's doing:

The Kupuna Caucus supported several measures that were adopted this session including:

  • Requiring the Executive Office on Aging to create a comprehensive long-term care master plan (HB2224, Act 159, 2024)

  • Appropriating funds to support healthcare workforce development (HB1827, Act 89, 2024)

  • Increasing state supplement for residential care homes (HB2216, Act 20, 2024) and the personal needs allowance for residents (HB1974, Act 18, 2024)

  • Establishing the Silver Alert Program to help locate and safeguard missing seniors (SB2305, Act 158, 2024)

  • Adding funds to the Hawaii Healthy Aging Partnership Program

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