Meet Our Residents and Clients

At Hale Makua, our guiding principle is Celebrating Life…Honoring the Journey. Here are the stories of some current and former residents and clients of Hale Makua, who are experiencing just what that means.

Alta Hornbuckle
When Alta Hornbuckle’s daughter and son-in-law came to visit from North Carolina, Alta asked if they could drive her around to see some friends. Her first stop? Hale Makua. Just a couple of months earlier Alta had fallen, breaking her hip and hurting her shoulder. She spent a month at Hale Makua’s Kahului facility, undergoing physical and occupational therapy, and has now returned, happy and healthy, to her own home.

Alta says she received far more than therapy at Hale Makua. “Everybody here is my personal friend. I know all their history, and they know my family. They care about you here.” Her son-in-law agreed, saying “Coming to visit here was just like old home week. Everyone knew each other’s name and gave each other hugs.”

According to Alta, “they treated me with special care. If you want to be someplace for rehab, this is the place to be!”

Eric Braceros
When I arrived at Hale Makua, I was in a wheelchair, was unable to walk or move my hands. Working with a physical therapist and occupational therapist at Hale Makua, I began to regain my strength. I learned to walk again. My therapists encouraged me to try harder. I was able to go home after only two weeks, and now I’m back at work in a job that requires a lot of walking. But it’s OK now. I am so glad that I went to Hale Makua for therapy. They helped me to be able to function again. And it was a good experience; everyone was so nice. I made friends there, with the staff and with my roommate. I still go back to visit and say hi. My doctors call me a “walking miracle,” and I feel that I am — thanks to my doctors and the therapists at Hale Makua.

Kalei Huesing
Kalei Huesing was surprised to find herself in need of inpatient rehabilitation at the age of 34. But after suffering a stroke and being released from the Intensive Care Unit, that was exactly the position she was in. She is thankful that she was able to get the specialized physical therapy she needed at Hale Makua. “I was really happy with my stay there. It was really positive and comfortable. My therapists taught me the exercises I needed, and I was able to go home after just one week.”

“People think of geriatrics when they think of Hale Makua, but it’s not just that. It was so nice, and very family friendly. They provided the light at the end of the tunnel for me. Without the help and guidance of the staff there, I don’t know where I’d be.”

Lou Kennedy
Lou Kennedy and his wife Donna divide their time between Maui and Portland. Just after Christmas, Lou suffered a stroke and spent ten days in the hospital. The family discussed going back to Oregon to continue Lou’s care upon his hospital discharge, but chose Hale Makua. “It’s the little things that speak to the quality of care here,” said his daughter, Sue. “We had team meetings to discuss dad’s needs, they regulated his medications, and we had a home assessment, where recommendations were made that made it easier for dad to return home.”

“After he was discharged, we elected to come back here for outpatient therapy, even though we have to drive from Makena. They know just what dad needs.”

The family has enjoyed the indoor/outdoor design of Hale Makua, as well as the atmosphere. “I’ve never seen anything like it; it feels so healthful here. The open air concept is so impressive; you don’t feel closed in at all. And the staff does a great job! They share a sense of aloha and always have a tune on their lips.”

Rick Totoki
Rick Totoki, 35, requires personal care to help him with special needs. Those needs made it difficult in recent years for his parents to continue to care for him in their home. Rick sees his move to Hale Makua as very positive. “I like to be with people,” he says, “and when I lived at home, I didn’t go out much. I was by myself most of the time. Now, I’m around people all day, and I help out. There are a lot of Japanese residents here, and I do translating for them. I also use the MEO buses to go to church and to a workforce program, where I practice typing to improve my speed.” Rick notes that he’s made a lot of friends at Hale Makua. “They’re very, very nice. Everyone here is so helpful.”

Rodney Sardinha
If you visit Hale Makua’s Kahului facility, Rodney Sardinha may be the first person you meet. Rodney can often be found at the entrance to the facility, waiting for the arrival of Day Health clients each morning and accompanying them in the afternoon as they await their ride home.

Four days a week, Rodney volunteers at Hale Makua, but he’s not only a volunteer; he’s also a Day Health client, a Foster Family client, and a former resident. If anyone knows Hale Makua inside and out, from all different perspectives, it’s Rodney.

Rodney fell ill in 1999. He was comatose for 12 days, and hospitalized for four months. He was released to Hale Makua, where he stayed for five months while he continued to recover. Upon his release, he became a Foster Family client. “I like it. I have my own room, and they do the cooking and laundry. They take care of my medical needs, take me shopping, and take care of whatever my needs are. It’s a good deal; a good place to stay. I’ve formed a good relationship with the family. And I love the Day Health Program, I have a lot of fun here with the patients. I see a lot of my friends here, and the staff are very nice.”

Shirley Cutler
Ms. Shirley Cutler stayed at Hale Makua for four months following a car accident that left her virtually incapacitated. Back at home now, Shirley remembers her stay with fondness. “It felt like a cruise ship — better than a five star hotel!”

“The atmosphere was cheery, light-hearted, and relaxed. And the staff were always smiling or giggling — they were so happy, no matter how dirty the task. I have the utmost respect for the CNAs, nurses, housekeepers, maintenance people, social workers, and therapists. They anticipate your needs, even the little things. Their main goal is to get you ready so you can return home. And now that I am home, I still go back and visit all the wonderful people I met at Hale Makua.”