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November Makana Pono

Posted on November 24, 2020

Makana Pono: Employee Giving Program

Iris Hashimoto
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Organization: Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center (LMPSC)
Iris Hashimoto is this month's Makana Pono designee!
Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center (LMPSC) is a much-needed hub for seniors. It is a place for exercise, socialization and education. Located in Kalihi, it is the largest senior center in the state, serving nearly 1,500 seniors. With COVID-19 presenting new challenges, especially for our kupuna, Islands Hospice Social Worker, Iris Hashimoto, selected the senior center to direct her $5,000 Makana Pono donation.

Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center (LMPSC) is a much-needed hub for seniors. It is a place for exercise, socialization and education. Located in Kalihi, it is the largest senior center in the state, serving nearly 1,500 seniors. With COVID-19 presenting new challenges, especially for our kupuna, Islands Hospice Social Worker, Iris Hashimoto, selected the senior center to direct her $5,000 Makana Pono donation.

Over the last three years at Islands Hospice, Iris has provided social work services for our patients that need supportive and palliative care. She shared this expertise with LMPSC kupuna during her first experience with the senior center a few years ago. She spent the day staffing a booth at one of their health fairs, educating seniors on end-of-life health care options and getting to know the staff and members. "We provided education regarding advanced health care directives through true or false games and prizes," Iris explained. "It is important for them to be informed consumers."  

Educating seniors is only one facet of LMPSC. The $5,000 donation will go towards exercise, socialization, and education programs and funding new outreach programs. The center also hosts classes with interpreters available to serve its culturally diverse population.

"Whenever I enter the building, it is humming with people and activity," Iris explained. "It is a great honor to be able to donate monies so that this organization may do even more good for our seniors."