Meals Rolling With Aloha In Waimanalo

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Hawaii Meals on Wheels, which provides hot meals to homebound individuals regardless of income level, is now bringing nutritious meals and friendly hellos to Waimanalo.

The nonprofit rolled out its newest service March 2 with two clients and five volunteers, largely at the urging of Lora Perry, a volunteer who serves the Haiku area. Four of the five volunteers are from the nonprofit family education program, Na Pono No Na Ohana, which Perry co-directs out of Blanche Pope Elementary School.

According to HMW executive director Claire Shimabukuro, Perry’s group was “so enthusiastic” they persuaded HMW to open the Waimanalo route “despite the fact we might not have had so many clients.

“It’s pretty exciting for us that we’re going to be doing this,” Shimabukuro noted. “We’re doing this to fulfill Hawaii Meals on Wheel’s mission, which is to allow kupuna to preserve their independence. We do this by serving hot meals and (through) personal interaction on a daily basis as our volunteers deliver the meals.” (Meals can be customized for clients with diabetes or other conditions.)

According to a recent agency statement, funding shortfalls mean that an average of 150 seniors a day remain on waiting lists for three months or more for the meal service. Hawaii Meals on Wheels raises its own funds through donations from Aloha United Way, Foodland’s Give Aloha, the Combined Federal Campaign and others.

Operating only since 1979, the nonprofit hopes to tap into Waimanalo’s older community for clients and volunteers. To receive the service, clients must be “homebound and physically unable to prepare meals on their own either due to mental or physical reasons,” Shimabukuro said. “There’s no age or income restriction.”

Besides having a love for people, volunteers need to have their own car, a valid driver’s license and registration, and a clean driver’s abstract. A criminal background check will also be done. They should be available at least one weekday between 10:30 a.m. and noon. To offer help or request the service, call 988-6747.

Hawaii Meals on Wheels now serves about 4,500 meals a month to residents in Kaneohe, Kailua, Aiea, Ewa Beach, Kalihi and Pearl City. Aloha Nursing & Rehab Centre prepares the hot lunches for the Kaneohe and Kailua routes. Drivers for the Waimanalo route pick up their meals from Lunalilo Home in Hawaii Kai.

To highlight awareness of seniors’ hunger and the growing need for resources, Mayor Hannemann and City Councilmembers will join a walk March 22 as part of a national March for Meals campaign. Organized by HMW and Lanakila Meals on Wheels, the walk starts at 9:30 a.m. at Honolulu Hale and ends at the state Capitol around 10:15 a.m., when Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and state lawmakers will greet the marchers.