Making Jack-O-Lanterns

Resident Henry Kaina and volunteer JR Domingo at the beginning stages of pumpkin carving

Finished Jack-O-Lanterns!

Aloha Day in Wailuku

Residents Faye Kaaihue, Laura Waiohu, and Eileen Kailihue entertained us with beautiful music

Beautiful hula ladies

Carol performs the hula

Po’Okela starting the day off (residents enjoyed dancing and singing along!)

Activities Director Lynsey Capone and Mr. Gonsalves dancing up a storm—he never dances so it was awesome to get him to ‘shake it’ with Lynsey!

Fall Mosaic Artwork

Jack-o-lantern and maple leaf mosaics made by residents hang in the Activity Center.

Sigeko starts work on a pumpkin mosaic, first step - brushing on lots of Elmer's glue

Wally paints glue on to his pumpkin, laying the foundation for his mosaic pieces

While working residents chat with nearby staff and family members, laughing and having a good time

Dining Experience Team's Code of Ethics

1. We are committed to each other and the Eden process at Hale Makua Wailuku.  We pledge to follow through on our commitments to grow Eden.
2. We unconditionally accept one another, treating each other as equals regardless of job titles.
3. All of our efforts are Resident-focused and results will be directed by what is in the best interests of our Residents.
4. We are open to new ideas.
5. We have spontaneous, fun moments. 
6. We are the examples of positive attitudes and problem solving.

Aloha Week Entertainers Showcase Cultural Diversirty

 The entertainment for this year's Aloha Week at Hale Makua Kahului was a vibrant display of colors and the many cultures that help make Hawaii the "cultural melting pot" that it is today.

Staff perform a traditional Filipino dance, Subli

The Zumba music and dance moves have their origins in the Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Tango, Rumba, and Cha-Cha.

Phyllis Colon performs the Hula

Staff members perform the unique Filipino folk dance, Tinikling (the national dance of the Philippines, where assistants take two long bamboo sticks rapidly and in rhythm, clap sticks for dancers to artistically and daringly try to avoid getting their feet caught between them

Noe Kruger & Sharron Joseph perform the hula

Volunteers from the Samoan Workforce Group in Paia perform a traditional Samoan dance

Staff perform the Japanese dance, Soran Bushi

A volunteer performs a traditional Samoan dance

Male volunteers & staff do the Gorilla Zumba

Meet Our Aloha Week Court

On October 15th, Hale Makua celebrated Aloha Week, which showcases the rich culture and history of each of the Hawaiian Islands. Its purpose is to "foster the Aloha Spirit through the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and the celebration of diverse customs and traditions of Hawaii." This post showcases our resident and client participation in the Aloha Week festivities. A future post will feature the diverse cultural entertainment from Friday's event.

Representing the Island of Molokai in the Island color green and the Island flower of the Pua Kukui is Richmond Kapaku. Richmond was born in Honokawai Lahaina. He has one daughter and two grandchildren. He used to work at Waiehu Golf Course, and currently enjoys golfing, diving and surfing.

 

Representing the island of Kauai in the Island color Purple and the Island flower Mokihana is Violet Decoite. Violet was born on October 22, 1925 on Maui. She was married to George Decoite, and had one son named John. She has three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She previously worked as a bus driver, and enjoys gardening, music, dancing, the ocean and reading the newspaper. Violet loves to laugh!

 

 Representing the island of Lanai in the Island color of orange and the Island flower of Kaunaoa' Blossom is Hiroshi Yamanoha, known to his friends and family as "Yama". Yama was born in Paia. He has one son and three grandchildren. He previously worked at Kaanapali Hotel for 25 years, and enjoys building engines.

 

Representing the Island of Hawaii in the Island color red and the Island flower Ohia is Marilyn Mitchell. Marilyn was born on February 3, 1930 in Streator, Illinois. She has a sister named Jeane Murphy who lives in Michigan. Marilyn attended Coalville school and then Capital University for two years. She was married to Robert Mitchell, and together they owned a coffee shop on Maui. She enjoys doing crossword puzzles and sunbathing poolside.

 

Representing the island of Kahoolawe in the Island color of gray and the Island flower of Hinahina is Robert Tamaki, known to his friends and family as "Bobby". Bobby was born on Oahu and is married to Elsie. He as two children, Gayle and Wayne, and one grandson, Chase. Bobby enjoys playing cards and going to Vegas. At Hale Makue he enjoys playing bingo!

 

Representing the island of Maui in the Island color pink and the Island flower Lokelani Rose is Louis Lumlung Kamaka. Louis was born on December 27,1924 in Lahaina. She previously worked in a hotel and the Lahaina Cannery Mall. She is married and has four children, 12 grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She enjoys crocheting and sewing.

Representing the island of Oahu in the Island color yellow and the Island flower Pua Ilima. Herman was born on October 28,1946, and was married to Elenor. He has two children, Kevin and Carmen. He joined the Army in 1963, and later worked as a bartender for the Sheraton hotel for 20 years. He also was an Assistant Supervisor for the Bay Golf Course, then worked at the Kapalua Land Company as a sewage operator, a shuttle bus driver and dispatcher. Herman loves to collect CDs and listen to music. At Hale Makua he enjoys watching all of the ladies go by.

Representing the island of Ni'ihau in the Island color of white and the Island flower of the pupu shell is Edna Taira. Edna was born on January 26, 1928. She attended nursing school and became a licensed practical nurse for the Maui Medical Group. She also was a nurse at Hale Makua, Kula Hospital and Kaiser. In 1982 she retired. She was married to Takeo and has two children, two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Edna enjoys the programs at Hale Makua, doing arts and crafts and socializing with others.

 

Eden Alternative Tip of the Week

On your home's journey toward culture change with the Eden Alternative, you also experience seasons. You experience times when everything is just right to plant the seeds of change. You invest heavily in educating, involving, planning and implementing those new ideas. Then, if you have done well, you reach the time of harvest, when you can see those efforts pay off in benefits to all the care partners.

Just as we take time to breathe a little deeper and enjoy the fall warmth and explosions of color in the out-of-doors, do not forget to do the same within your home. Do you remember the Foolish Gardner: What Gardener would diligently weed, water and prune even as the fruit becomes overripe and falls from the vine? We definitely want to learn from this lesson.

What harvest has your home been reaping from its efforts at change and growth this summer? Are you noticing, sharing and celebrating the successes you are seeing? Sometimes when we as leaders have our eye on the bigger vision of where we are leading, we forget to stop and breathe deeply, and celebrate what is happening right before our eyes. that is what can make us a Foolish Gardener.

Recognize and celebrate the harvest you have sown in your home's journey! It is what keeps people energized and motivated to move forward, to dig deeper, to try to take it to the next level. You are making a difference everyday in the lives of so many others ... celebrate!

Luana Moments Shared

While visiting Vicki Martin I asked her "how are things going for you?" This was Vicki’s response:

Today (October 11, 2010) was a very good day! The girl that helped me with my bath was very helpful, respected my privacy and most of all, this girl allowed me to do things on my own. Letting me do some things for myself makes me feel good. I was so worried about my dressing changes because it hurt whenever it was changed at the hospital. The girl that changed my dressing did it while I was in the shower, and it came right off.  I was so impressed with the nurses’ technique.

Vicki’s remarks regarding her therapy session on October 11, 2010:

The therapist was very encouraging and caring. Today for the first time in a long time  I got to stand up on my feet. I got up and walked for the first time in a long time. The therapist , she talked to me  and explained how to move my feet to ground myself. She was so helpful and made me feel so comfortable. She made me feel like I can and  will be strong again

 Shared by Celeste Johnson, Admissions Assistant

Luana Sponsor Team Code of Ethics

On October 13th our Sponsor Team met to develop our team's code of ethics. According to the Eden Alternative Path to Mastery, a code of ethics is "a code of conduct (or ground rules) that teaches us ho to behave towards each other. It captures how people interacting with each other have agreed to behave." The reasons that each team should develop their own code of ethics were stated by the Path to Mastery as "to define acceptable behaviors; to shift accountability away from the manager or team leader and into the team; to promote high standards of care; to provide a benchmark for staff to use for self evaluation; and to establish a framework for behavior and responsibilities".

The following is the Sponsor Team's code of ethics:

1. We promise to share our Luana successes, information and progress with staff, residents and families.

2. We are role models of Luana offering a positive and enthusiastic influence at Hale Makua Health Services, living out the Eden Golden Rule (“As management does unto staff, so shall staff do unto residents”.

3. We are open to new ideas.

4. Decisions are based on our Luana Mission statement (“Hale Makua will be a self-sustaining long-term care village that is inviting, lively, inter-generational, educational, and a valued part of the journey of life.”)

5. We use open, honest and respectful communication at all times.

6. We respect one another, listen to each other, and in times of disagreement, attack the problem and not the person.

7. We unconditionally accept one another, treating each other as equals regardless of job titles.

8. We recognize true success is possible when everyone pulls their weight and is actively engaged in the Luana journey.

9. We celebrate our successes.

10. We strive to understand each other’s perspective.

Gone Swimming

During the recent humid and hot days on Maui, Frank expressed an interest in going swimming. Last Friday our Activities Director and Activities Assistant took two residents and an Adult Day Health client swimming at the local pool, which is located within walking distance behind our Kahului community. They had a blast lounging around and swimming in the cool water. It was such a hot day, I was jealous that I could jump in as well!

In Recognition of the Gardenia Neighborhood Day Shift Team

I would like to recognize the Gardenia morning angels: Alma Coloma, Abby Navalta, Jaime Kaneshiro, Josie Barcena, Serlin Sorim, Merlitz Gonzales, Cristina Saito, Cathy Fujii. All of you are special in your willingness to adapt to the fast pace/challenges of working on a skilled/rehab unit. Our team has the opportunity to introduce many of the people in the community to Hale Makua. Each one of you brings special qualities which make our neighborhood one that is filled with hope and compassion for our residents and their families. I am so very proud to be your neighborhood supervisor. Thank you for all you do. You are simply The BEST.

- Mely Gazmen, Gardenia Neighborhood Supervisor

Pumpkin Preparations for Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner, the residents are already getting the decorations underway for the Aloha Cafe. This week residents, volunteers and staff worked on decorating pumpkins that will be displayed as centerpieces on each table in the Aloha Cafe. Each pumpkin was decorated by a resident, and you can really see their personalities coming through in the different designs. There were some two-faced pumpkins, ones with flowers, others with feathers, one with a straw cowboy hat, and even one that looked like an owl! This was such a  great alternative to the typical jack-o-lanterns that most people carve for Halloween, that usually get moldy and/or collapse within a week. These pumpkins are so much more colorful and fun, and made less mess!

Planning for Our Path to Mastery (continued)

The Luana Sponsor Team met again this past Monday to begin planning the next areas of focus, in addition to the two areas that were previously defined. Upon further discussion the group determined that tackling the original desired outcome of residents talking about spontaneous moments; seeing staff integrating spontaneity into their work; and getting people excited about playing spontaniety at Hale Makua Kahului may be very difficult to get off the ground. If the Sponsor Team members were having a hard time figuring out what this desired outcome means, the staff would have even greater difficulty. 

The group instead decided to focus on a desired outcome that is a bit more tangible and upon implementation would definitely promote variety, spontaneity and teamwork between residents and staff. For Hale Makua Kahului the priority would be to focus on pets and how to bring them into the community and integrate them into the lives of residents and staff. Below are the two priorities, each action plan and the preliminary completion dates.

Kahului #1 –  Animals (pets) are living at Hale Makua and are part of the daily lives of residents and staff

Action Plan & Timeline:

1.      Recruiting/inviting team members (voluntary) - 11/31/10

2.      Schedule meeting - 12/1/10

3.      Provide education on problem solving 1/11/11

4.      Asses the current state - 2/1/11

5.      Create possible solutions - 2/28/11

6.      Implement - 4/1/11

7.      Test & monitor - 6/1/11

8.      Adjust - 6/15/11

Wailuku #1 – Meals are served when/what residents desire, consistently at the correct temperature

Action Plan & Timeline:

1.     Recruiting/inviting team members (voluntary) - 10/31/10

2.     Schedule meeting - 11/1/10

3.     Provide education on problem solving - 12/1/10

4.     Asses the current state - 1/1/11

5.     Create possible solutions - 1/31/11 

6.     Implement - 3/1/11
7.     Test & monitor - 5/1/11
8.     Adjust -5/15/11

Fun at the 88th Annual Maui County Fair

On October first Hale Makua residents and Adult Day Health clients enjoyed the day at the 88th Annual Maui County Fair. The County has  a Special Fair Day on the Friday of the Fair weekend, which is opened exclusively to frail elderly and disabled Maui residents. It's such a wonderful experience for our residents and clients to be able to enjoy the Fair without worrying about them getting trampled, or jostled in the huge crowds that the Fair attracts every year. On the Special Fair Day there are games, rides, and art, produce, orchid and bonsai displays to enjoy. All guests received bottled water, soft drinks and a plate lunch at no cost. This very special event was made possible through donations by community businesses and volunteers. A big mahalo to all of the volunteers who assisted our residents and clients, including St. Anthony's School students: Nerissa Imada, Rachel Uehara, Lili Boeringa, Maggie Vorhes, Kenton Tanaka Tamaki, Rylie Lallo, Gabe Tongson, Hailee Pullman, Kyle Orth, Chris Maeda,  Jordan Hansen, Scott Sadler, Ethan Kim, Tayler Silva, Sophia Wuest, Kaeo Kanhai, Trevor Brown, Michael McGuire, Erik Ferreira, Amanda Robert, and Julia Bissen.