Aloha Chair, Vice Chair, and Council Members,

My name is Lani Ozaki, Executive Director of Pūlama Ka Heke. I am writing in strong support of continued funding for kūpuna services on Molokaʻi, including the proposed Adult Day Health program and the Molokaʻi Community Rural Health Association’s Kūpuna Program.

Pūlama Ka Heke has been fortunate to receive funding through the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Human Concerns. Through our Lawena Ola Pono program, and in partnership with I Ola Lāhui, we have provided behavioral health services to more than 200 individuals across Molokaʻi. For Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028, Pūlama Ka Heke has been allocated $175,000 per year to continue delivering behavioral health services, including both in-person and telehealth sessions, as well as group programming for kūpuna and neurodivergent youth.

In collaboration with the Molokaʻi Community Rural Health Association’s Kūpuna Program, we have also implemented a social calls initiative that reaches over 800 kūpuna each quarter. This program serves as a critical touchpoint, allowing us to identify needs, reduce isolation, and connect kūpuna to resources.

Despite these efforts, significant gaps in kūpuna care remain. While Nā Puʻuwai offers Adult Day Care services, access is limited, particularly for kūpuna with Med-QUEST coverage. This leaves many working families without reliable daytime care options for their loved ones.
To address this need, Pūlama Ka Heke has been working alongside Hale Makua, Hale Mahaolu, and the Department of Health to establish an Adult Day Health program on Molokaʻi. The proposed program will serve up to 10 kūpuna at Home Pumehana and include appropriate clinical staffing. We support the $200,000 allocation in the County budget for this initiative and commend the collaborative efforts underway to bring this program to fruition.

Equally important is the Molokaʻi Community Rural Health Association’s Kūpuna Program, which is not currently included in the Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 budget. This program provides essential services—including wellness activities, social engagement, and outreach—that help prevent isolation and support the overall well-being of more than 800 kūpuna.

Without continued funding, this vital safety net will be at risk. The loss of these services would significantly impact the health and quality of life of our kūpuna, particularly those who do not qualify for or have access to other forms of care.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Council to support funding for both the Adult Day Health program and the Molokaʻi Community Rural Health Association’s Kūpuna Program. In addition, continued funding for Pūlama Ka Heke is essential to ensure the availability of behavioral health services continue on Molokai in partnership with I Ola Lahui. Next steps include providing access to telehealth services for kūpuna at our office at the Molokai Community Health Center.

Mahalo for your time and consideration.

Respectfully submitted,

Lani Ozaki
Executive Director
Pūlama Ka Heke