Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 7, 1 July 1992 — Lunalilo Home plans for its next century [ARTICLE]

Lunalilo Home plans for its next century

Like the kupuna it houses, Lunalilo Home is a cherished treasure of Hawai'i. Now entering its 110th year, Lunalilo Home is reaching out to the Hawaiian community to let families know about the services it provides to older Hawaiians who need residential care. General manager Gregg Meyer and Lunalilo Trust directors want to reach Hawaiian families throughout the state, and especially on neighbor islands, to let them know about the services the home provides. Lunalilo Home opened in 1883 as an adult residential care home for older Hawaiians. It provides all meals and snacks, direct care certified nursing attendants, assistance with daily living (whieh may include bathing and dressing) for as many as 56 residents age 55 and older. Since Lunalilo Home is not a nursing home, residents must be able to get around on their own and not need intensive medical attention. Residents enjoy companionship, share meals, attend lectures and classes on different topics: (for example, Kamehameha Schools has brought its lecture series to the home). They also participate in hand crafts, and other physieal and recreational activities. Meyer wants to build a greenhouse where the kupuna ean spend part of the day looking after plants. Religious services for different denominations are also held. Residents enjoy regular programs brought to them by schoolchildren, community groups and professional entertainers who donate their talents. "We're a plaee for living," Meyer said.

Lunalilo Home is funded by a trust established by the estate of King William Charles Lunalilo. Lunalilo Trust, onee larger than the Bernice P. Bishop Estate, is now the smallest Hawaiian trust. The grounds of the home are a mere five acres on the former Marconi estate on the slopes of Koko Head in Hawai'i Kai. Meyer says the trust is looking at various means to build and strengthen the financial base of Lunalilo Home. The greatest challenge is to keep up with operating expenses that cannot be met through ineome from fees paid by residents from investment ineome. Donations of cash and needed equipment and supplies from private individuals and companies and Hawaiian clubs and societies are always weleome. The Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu raised funds to

buy new beds that arrived in May. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, recognizing the home's need, recently granted $212,000 toward operating expenses. The Board of Trustees also recognizes that the needs of the kupuna are a statewide problem. Trustees have asked Lunalilo Home officials to help generate ideas for caring for the needs of elderly Hawaiians throughout the state. With 109 years of experience behind the home, Meyer notes, " I like to think we're a leader in care of elderly Hawaiians." Meyer said that several fundraising projects are being planned. These include a major golf tournament on Sept. 23 at the Hawai'i-Kai golf course whieh Meyer hopes will raise about $30,000 for operating expenses.