Schatz Visit Focuses on Health Care and Kupuna Services on Lana‘i

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz visited Lana‘i on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, meeting with leaders from Pulama Lana‘i, Lana‘i Community Health Center (LCHC), Lana‘i Kina‘ole and the Lana‘i Culture & Heritage Center to assess ongoing federal support for local health and kupuna services. The visit provided an update on several key projects, including a planned adult day care facility and health care needs raised by LCHC.

“There’s so much good work happening on this island and so many people who care about each other that, you know, the least I can do is try to provide some resources to help people to succeed,” Schatz said.

Adult Day Care Facility Moves Forward

Schatz’s office secured $1.15 million for an adult day care facility planned by Lana‘i Kina‘ole , Lana‘i's only licensed home health agency, which provides nursing, in-home care and other community health services. Lana‘i Today first reported the award in March 2024; the organization has since developed plans and begun working through permits.

The facility is planned for the area behind Lana‘i Kina‘ole's current office on Ilima Avenue, across from LCHC. It would be licensed to serve up to 10 people daily, with a kitchen, quiet room, examination room, accessible shower, separate bathrooms, a porch and outdoor area. The program would offer meals, snacks, activities, supervision and bathing assistance, along with visits from health providers who specialize in elder care, giving family caregivers time for work, errands or rest while Lana‘i Kina?ole continues its home-based services.

Lana‘i  currently has no comparable day care option for people who need daytime support but not hospitalization. “If we want to take care of our kupuna, we need to have these kinds of facilities,” Schatz said. A timeline for opening has not yet been announced.

The project also involves Maui County, which provided a $250,000 planning and design grant; Pulama Lana‘i; and architectural firm Design | Create Space, which is providing project-management services for the facility after previously working on the Hokuao housing development.

Health Center Faces Staffing and Specialist Gaps

In written responses to Lana‘i Today, LCHC identified staffing, transportation, specialist care, equipment costs and serving a small population as ongoing challenges. The center said federal funding has supported patient care, staff development, technology, equipment, facilities, outreach and emergency planning.

“I’m really impressed at the extent of the expansion of the dental facilities,” Schatz said after visiting the center. “Optometry is somewhat manageable, but ophthalmology is a real challenge,” he said.

Federal Funding Rules

Asked whether federal funding rules properly account for small, remote communities like Lana‘i, Schatz was blunt: “No, they absolutely don’t.” He said census data can group residents with nearby expensive homes, making a community appear wealthier than the people who live there.

These problems differ between federal programs and often must be handled one at a time. Schatz said his office works with lawmakers and federal agencies to change rules that do not reflect Hawai‘i’s costs and living conditions. Some programs also provide additional money when projects cost more to complete in a particular location.

More Kupuna Care Efforts

A separate, community-led effort with Hospice Maui aims to convert the existing Hope House facility into a four-bed Adult Residential Care Home (ARCH) offering 24-hour care. The project would expand options for kupuna who need round-the-clock help with daily activities.

Asked what advice he would give Lana‘i organizations seeking federal support, with Hope House cited as one example, Schatz said, “They should call us. We’re always happy to help wherever people are providing healthcare.”

What’s Next

Schatz’s office said it will continue working with the organizations visited, including helping move the adult day care project toward launch, supporting Lana‘i Community Health Center and exploring partnership opportunities with the Lana‘i Culture & Heritage Center.