September Makana Pono
Posted on September 7, 2020
Jessica explained that her family’s love language is food, which caused her to align with the mission of the Hawaii Foodbank.
Jessica explained that her family’s love language is food, which caused her to align with the mission of the Hawaii Foodbank.
Throughout Amy Barroga's two and a half years with Islands Hospice, what she remembers most are the moments of strength and gratitude shown by the families of patients.
“A simple thank you from my patient and their families after every visit is more than enough to make this job fulfilling,” said Edmar Barit.
Get to know our Maui team! Pauahi Real is a CNA/HA working out of Islands Hospice Maui.
After high school in Japan, Yukiko Owen moved to Seattle for college, then found her way to Hawaii in 1993. When her youngest son entered preschool, she decided to attend nursing school and balanced her studies with caring for her 3 kids.
Elizabeth Etrata discovered her love of healthcare after family members encouraged her to volunteer in a hospital.
In his year-and-a-half as an Islands Hospice volunteer, Joe has brought joy and comfort to many patients and even helped one woman fulfill a bucket list item - playing chess.
By recognizing the power of diversity in everyday situations, we can build an outstanding company culture, that brings out the best that Islands Hospice has to provide to our patients and families.
“Doing good deeds, no matter how small, makes you feel better, too.”
Every time you eat or drink something, you are feeding disease or fighting it. The good news is that small changes in your daily diet and exercise routine can help you avoid or even reverse the effects of disease.
A family member once told Schanelle Perez, "My mom might forget your name but I’m pretty sure she will never forget how you made her feel." Those words stuck with her. She believes CNAs and other Islands Hospice staff are like extended members of patients’ families.
Rovena Juan, RN, always knew she wanted to be a nurse, but she put her dreams on hold to start a family. When her four children were a little older, she enrolled in nursing school to fulfill her lifelong career goal. She is now a registered nurse serving patients throughout West Oahu.
Nursing school can be expensive, but Islands Hospice nurse practitioner Harold Palma hopes to help ease the burden for students of Filipino ancestry. In doing so, he wants to inspire the next generation of students to pursue a path in nursing.
Since 2018, Liyan has served as a volunteer at Islands Hospice, helping numerous patients and their families get through difficult times. One patient, she recalled, was experiencing high anxiety, but their weekly prayers together helped that person get to a place of calm.
Jonathan Wessel is often among the first to see CNAs or nurses after a patient passes away and is always there to offer hugs and comfort.
Shelley Platiro is a Licensed Social Worker on Maui
June’s Makana Pono awardee, Ava Gaile Tacata, RN, hopes to help families gain access to clean water. She selected the LIGHT Mission through New Hope Leeward to receive her $5,000 Makana Pono contribution.
In the U.S., hospice as we know it today came about even more recently than one would think.
Families want to know their loved one is getting the best care possible during the final weeks or months of their life. That’s where Islands Hospice RNs, like Stacie McCabe, step in.
Lee Kaneshiro started off as a weekday skilled nurse but now works as a weekend nurse. He helps to admit patients to hospice, visits transitioning or crisis patients, and also triages patients during after-hours over the phone.
Kevin Dulig, our Makana Pono awardee for the month of May, has selected an organization that is near and dear to his heart.
Josette “Nani” Enomoto RNCM Field Nurse
“With everyone sharing the same vision and mission, this creates an environment where everyone is there for each other,” explained Alyssa McIntire.