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, 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. With recent federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, we need to find solutions to ensure that we mālama pono our kūpuna, so they are not left behind.

The FACTS

Supporting Our Kūpuna: Turning Committments Into Action

Hawaiʻi is facing one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the nation. Today, 21.5% of our residents are over the age of 65, and by 2030, that number is projected to rise to 23%. Thousands of kūpuna rely on fixed incomes such as Social Security, yet they face soaring costs for housing, healthcare, and daily necessities. Hawaiʻi also boasts some of the highest life expectancies in the United States, with a growing number of seniors living past 80, a trend that will continue accelerating over the next decade.

Over the past ten years, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature introduced multiple bills aimed at supporting kūpuna through housing stability, caregiver assistance, and healthy aging programs. While these proposals highlighted urgent needs, many stalled in committee, failed to pass, or lacked the funding to make a real impact, leaving far too many seniors and their families without the support they deserve.

As thousands of our kūpuna struggle to live on fixed incomes amid rising costs, we cannot wait for fleeting fixes or rely on promises that fall short. Now is the time to provide real, practical, and achievable support, solutions that ensure our seniors can thrive, even when federal leadership fails to meet the needs of Hawaii’s families. We must act decisively to protect their dignity, security, and independence today.

HB 853 (2025) – Family Caregiver Tax Credit

This bill would have established a refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit to support unpaid family members caring for kūpuna, recognizing that family caregivers are a critical part of elder care in Hawaiʻi and often shoulder significant financial and emotional burden.

Why it mattered

A tax credit for family caregivers would have helped families offset caregiving costs and made it more feasible for kupuna to remain at home rather than entering institutional care, a priority issue for many residents across Oʻahu.

Senate Bill 1564 (2025) – Reimbursement Review for Waiver Services

This bill addressed Medicaid reimbursement rates for community‑based care services used by kupuna, including waiver services that help older adults remain in the community rather than in nursing facilities.

Why it mattered

Reimbursement rates impact whether providers accept Medicaid, which in turn determines access to essential care services for kupuna and caregivers.

HB702 (2025) – In‑Home Kupuna Services

This bill aimed to expand recognition and support for essential in‑home services that help kupuna stay in their homes, including:

meal preparation
mobility support
personal care activities
(as key tools to help kupuna age in place)

Why it mattered

Most kupuna prefer aging at home rather than in institutional settings, but without expanded support and funding, in‑home caregiving remains financially and logistically difficult for families.

HB 1074 (2024) – Clarifying Kupuna Care Definitions

This legislation sought to clarify and strengthen definitions around:

“Caregiver support services.”
“Kupuna care services.”
“Respite care.”
within the Kupuna Care Program overseen by the Executive Office on Aging.

Why it mattered

Clear definitions are crucial for consistent implementation of programs, especially when funding and eligibility hinge on how services are defined. Without these updates, families and service providers can face confusion about what services are available and how they are delivered.

These bills share a clear and troubling pattern: lawmakers recognized the urgent needs of our kūpuna and their caregivers, yet procedural hurdles, such as bills never being scheduled for committee hearings, being stalled in committee, or running out of time, prevented these solutions from becoming law. For too long, Hawaiʻi’s seniors have been left to navigate rising costs for housing, healthcare, and daily necessities on fixed incomes, while well-intentioned proposals have failed to deliver real impact. We cannot wait any longer. Our kupuna deserve more than promises and partial fixes; they deserve practical, achievable, and fully funded solutions that protect their dignity, security, and independence today.

The Plan

Practical Plan to Support Our Kūpuna in Hawaiʻi

Ensure that Hawaiʻi’s seniors can live with dignity, security, and independence, while supporting the families and caregivers who help them thrive.

1. Expand In-Home Care Services

Increase funding for the Kupuna Care Program to provide services, including personal care, meal delivery, and transportation.
Simplify program eligibility to reach more seniors and caregivers, including during emergencies or crises.
Partner with local training programs to grow the pool of qualified in-home caregivers and create flexible scheduling options.

2. Affordable and Safe Housing for Seniors

Expand senior housing subsidies so that no senior pays more than 30% of their income for rent.
Encourage public-private partnerships to build or retrofit housing with accessibility features such as ramps, handrails, and emergency alert systems.
Create emergency housing programs for seniors at risk of eviction or homelessness.

3. Strengthen Support for Family Caregivers

Implement tax credits or stipends for family members providing care to seniors.
Offer training programs to ensure caregivers can provide safe, high-quality care.
Expand respite services to help caregivers rest and reduce burnout.

4. Accessible Health and Preventive Services

Expand access to mobile health clinics, telehealth visits, and preventative screenings.
Fund programs addressing fall prevention, chronic disease management, and social engagement.
Partner with community groups to reduce isolation, which is a major risk factor for poor mental and physical health.

5. Coordinated Long-Term Care Planning

Develop a statewide long-term care master plan to streamline access to services.
Ensure programs are easy to navigate for seniors and caregivers.
Regularly review program effectiveness to identify gaps and adjust funding.

6. Legislative and Fiscal Accountability

Advocate for budget allocations that prioritize senior care and caregiver support.
Track and report on the implementation and impact of senior-focused programs annually.
Collaborate with both state and local agencies to maximize efficiency and prevent program duplication.

I am fully committed to ensuring our kūpuna live with dignity, security, and independence. I will build on proven programs like Kupuna Care and the Executive Office on Aging, focusing on practical, achievable solutions that can be implemented within 1–3 years. By partnering with local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as nonprofits and community organizations, I will expand support for housing, caregiving, healthcare, and in-home services, ensuring every senior has the resources, protection, and care they deserve, without waiting for government inaction or delays.