Hale Makua on Maui celebrates 80 years, moves forward with expansion

KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Maui nonprofit Hale Makua is celebrating its 80th birthday this year.

Read more Oahu mother shares experience with postpartum psychosis

To celebrate the milestone, staff treated residents to a week of festivities and the organization announced new information on its planned expansion.

Hale Makua was established in 1946 to provide a home for elderly people who had no one to care for them or the means to pay for that care.

Over the past eight decades, it has grown into one of Maui’s largest non-government employers, with more than 450 employees and provides care for more than 1,500 residents every year, ranging from kupuna to post-acute care for patients of all ages.

“Aunty Ehu,” a Hale Makua resident, said the facility offers a range of support.

“Hale Makua is a good place because not only get all these helpers like our nurses, our CNA, PT or OT, you can go all these different places … the guys take us to the gym, they help us to walk,” she said.

Staff mark the milestone with Disney-themed celebration

To commemorate the anniversary, staff decorated the Kahului and Wailuku facilities and brought a Disney-themed celebration to residents.

Read more ‘Bows are Ninth Island bound for first road trip of the season

Wesley Lo, CEO of Hale Makua Health Services, said the celebration was a way to also recognize employees.

“When I see these guys work every day, doing what they do, they’re all going to heaven, and we wanted to make sure that we really celebrate any opportunity we have to celebrate our employees and also give back to the community,” Lo said.

Expansion project moving forward

Lo said plans for the $160 million expansion is moving forward.

The “CarePlex” will include an ambulatory surgery center, a new rehabilitation center and expanded specialty care services.

It will also include a desperately-needed affordable workforce housing project.

“Bad news is we have to move it, but the good news is it’s about two miles down the road and it’s now expanded to a 288 unit project that’s going to be multi-intergenerational. It’s going to still be for healthcare workers, for educators and kupuna and fire survivors,” Lo said.

Read more Blessing held for revitalized shopping center in Moiliili

Hale Makua is hoping to break ground on the project by September of next year.