Stakeholders break ground on Hospice Hale at the end of Mahalani Street in Wailuku. PHOTO BY AUBREY HORD.

WAILUKU – Hospice Maui on May 25 held a ceremony and broke ground on its five-bed Hospice Hale that will sit atop the hill at the end of Mahalani Street above Maui Memorial Medical Center.

It will be a place for both patients and family members to experience the depth of support that is Hospice Maui’s continuing legacy.

The ceremony was conducted by Kimokeo Kapahulehua. In attendance were five individuals who represented the major stakeholders in the project.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa was selected to represent public grantors, including the County of Maui, which holds the lease on the land where the project will be located and granted funds; and the State of Hawaii, which also granted funds for the project.

Philanthropists and project benefactors Dorvin and Betty Leis were selected to represent the many private contributors.

The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, a major grant funder, was represented by Executive Director Tertia Freas, who was selected to represent foundation and corporate funders.

Board Vice President Brian Yano was selected to represent the committed volunteer board of directors of Hospice Maui, and Executive Director Dr. Greg LaGoy represented the staff and volunteers whose care is at the center of Hospice Maui’s mission.

After the formal ceremony, attendees were addressed by each of these individuals, as well as by Sen. Mazie Hirono through a letter read aloud by volunteer and former staff member Dr. Nalani Archibeque and by Medical Director Dr. Nancy Long.

Notable among over 100 attendees were the founding executive director of Hospice Maui, Charlotte Kuwanoe; founding board member and early staff member Susan G. Brown; and founding Board Member Jim Worley. Numerous past and present staff also attended the ceremony.