What's Being Discussed

The Kupuna Advisory Council (KAC), part of Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA), is holding a one-hour meeting on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 AM. Key topics include:

• Leadership transition: Recognizing outgoing Chair Melissa Ah Ho-Mauga, who is moving to a new state role but staying on as vice-chair, and welcoming Dr. Ritabelle Fernandes as the new KAC Chair.
• Agency updates: Staff changes at SHPDA, plus updates on two major health initiatives — the AHEAD Grant (focused on health equity and hospital budgeting) and the Rural Health Transformation Grant (addressing service gaps in Kula and Kohala).
• Legislative updates: Progress on two bills — the KupunaAloha bill and HB 1804, which deals with long-term care financing for older adults.
• Council priorities: Planning for the next legislative session with a focus on food access, financing, and long-term care for kupuna (elders). The council also wants to recruit members from neighbor islands, since membership is currently Oahu-focused.
• Future meetings and topics: Scheduling upcoming meetings and discussing potential topics, including innovations in senior living from other cultures.

Decisions Expected

• Approval of minutes from the December 19, 2025 meeting.
• Formal recognition of the new KAC Chair.
• Discussion of a process for vetting and recruiting new council members from neighbor islands.

Who Should Pay Attention

• Older adults and their families concerned about long-term care, healthcare access, and elder services in Hawaii.
• Residents of rural areas, particularly on Maui (Kula) and the Big Island (Kohala), where healthcare service gaps are being studied.
• Anyone interested in testifying on elder care policy — public testimony is welcome on all agenda items.