Caring for Our Kūpuna, Strengthening Our Future — A Two-Year Plan

In Hawai‘i, we are raised to respect our elders. Yet, too many of our kūpuna in District 26, especially those living alone or on fixed incomes, are aging without the care, safety, or support they deserve. Sidewalks go unrepaired. Access to meals and transportation is limited. And caregivers, often family members juggling jobs and responsibilities, are left to carry the burden with little to no assistance.

Care Can’t Wait: A Decade of Missed Commitments to Our Kūpuna

For over a decade, our kūpuna and caregivers have quietly carried growing burdens, while well-meaning proposals to ease their challenges have gone unfulfilled. Despite the vision and effort behind many promising bills, progress has often stalled, leaving too many without the support they need and deserve.

HB1486 (2023): Would have expanded the Kūpuna Caregivers Program to help working families, but it stalled in committee.
SB2478 (2018): Proposed much-needed tax credits for caregivers, but it was deferred indefinitely.
SB834 (2019): Aimed to fund home modifications to prevent falls and injuries, but it died for lack of funding.
HB611 (2015): Introduced visionary intergenerational wellness centers, but it was never funded or implemented.

We haven’t lacked ideas. We’ve lacked the will to follow through. Meanwhile, our kūpuna age without the dignity, safety, and support they deserve, and families carry the burden alone. It's time to move beyond promises and deliver real care, real support, and genuine respect for every generation.

Our Kūpuna, Our Responsibility: A Two-Year Commitment to Care and Respect

When elected, I will focus on practical steps that bring relief and lasting change within two years.

In the first year, I will:

Introduce legislation to expand the Kūpuna Caregivers Program, ensuring that part-time workers and multigenerational households can access necessary services, such as respite care and transportation.
Draft a refundable $1,000 caregiver tax credit proposal after engaging caregivers and community groups.
Secure funding and launch a pilot Home Safety Grant Program to help kupuna with grab bars, ramps, and lighting improvements in their homes.
Begin planning an Intergenerational Wellness Collaborative by partnering with schools, clinics, nonprofits, and kūpuna representatives.

In the second year, I will:

Advocate to pass and implement the caregiver tax credit, ensuring families receive tangible financial support.
Expand the Home Safety Grant Program based on pilot feedback, reaching more kūpuna across District 26.
Officially launch the Intergenerational Wellness Collaborative with programs connecting kūpuna and youth through mentorship, health education, and cultural activities.
Collaborate with state agencies to secure stable funding and enhance outreach for Aging and Disability Resource Centers, enabling families to navigate care with greater ease.

This plan is based on clear, achievable goals that address the genuine needs of our community. By focusing on practical solutions and measurable progress, we can ensure our kūpuna age with dignity, safety, and respect — right here at home in District 26.

Why This Plan Will Work

It builds on proven programs and trusted community partnerships already active across Hawai‘i.
It focuses on clear, achievable steps rather than sweeping promises.

It responds directly to the lived realities and needs of families in District 26.