After the 1970 state conference on aging, a group of enthusiasts and concerned citizens of Maui, aware that the strains of aging can create acute family problems, developed a comprehensive program to serve the elderly at special day care centers. The original group comprised of nurses, ministers, social workers, physicians, and private citizens who later formed the Maui Day Care Center for Senior Citizens and Disabled, Inc., dba Maui Adult Day Care Centers.
The Maui Adult Day Care Center was established on December 19, 1974, to address the rising need for the provision of safe and compassionate care for disabled adults and frail and handicapped elderly. It was initially a project of the Maui Evangelical Church. The program was started through funding contributed by the Maui Evangelical Church, Maui Medical Society, J.M. Atherton Trust, C.M. & A.C. Cooke Trust, Samuel N., and Mary Castle Foundation. Other supporters included the May Hopper Templeton Foundation, County of Maui Dept. of Housing and Human Concerns, County of Maui Office On Aging (MCOA), State Executive Office On Aging (EOA), and numerous churches, and service clubs. Our broad community support continued to expand.
In July 1982, it was decided at a meeting of the Day Care Advisory Board that the center would leave the sponsorship of the Maui Evangelical Church and incorporate in its own right. The Articles of Incorporation were approved by the State of Hawaii Department of Regulatory Agencies on September 8, 1982. The Internal Revenue Service granted tax-exempt status on April 26, 1983.
In August 1983, the center temporarily moved to the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku. Due to the fact that Central Maui had over 50% of Maui’s elderly, the center continued to grow tremendously. In June 1986, the center moved to the renovated Puunene School Cafeteria, a larger facility able to accommodate up to 54 clients. Maui Adult Day Care Centers operated at our near licensed capacity at this center.
A satellite operation at 562-A Front Street in Lahaina was opened in May of 1987 to serve the adult day care needs of West Maui residents. This center was licensed to serve up to 18 clients. Room for expansion existed, should the need arise. Maui Adult Day Care Center has grown from a small central Maui center almost wholly supported (money wise) by the Department of Human Services to a fairly large operation for which funding comes from many sources; including user fees.
Maui Adult Day Care Centers opened its new state-of-the-art facility in Kahului in March 1999. This center was created via a partnership among Hale Mahaolu, Alzheimer’s Association, and Maui Adult Day Care Centers. Furnishings were partially funded by the private donations from client families and from the Weinberg Foundation. Today, center operations and scholarships are funded by Hawaii Community Foundation, State Department of Human Services, County Department of Housing and Human Concerns, Maui County Office On Aging, Maui United Way, Maui Hotel and Lodging Association and private foundations and private fees.
Maui Adult Day Care Centers is a low cost non-profit organization which enables individuals, communities, and families to respond to the growing and changing needs of Maui’s challenged adults and elderly in a cost-effective and compassionate manner. Attending adult day care, seniors who are no longer capable of remaining home alone can enjoy a day filled with safe, stimulating physical, mental, and social activity. Programs are designed to meet the needs of adults at whatever level they are functioning, prevent premature institution placement, and provide families with respite, peace of mind, and caregiver support. Today, Maui Adult Day Care Centers has five centers (Kahului, Kihei, Wailuku, Lahaina & Hana) to serve adults with physical and/or cognitive challenges. Call to schedule a visit! We look forward to sharing our centers and expertise with you.