WAILUA — Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital resident Phyllis Goias said it was great to feel the sand, and Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital resident Efrenia Pagulayan was modest in celebrating her 89th birthday Tuesday at Lydgate Park.
“I haven’t been in the water for so long,” Goias said. “It’s been so long, it’s beyond that.”
Goias was among the three dozen residents, including six from KVMH, who got support from more than a village in enjoying the first summer outing for the Mahelona Hospital.
“Mayor Derek has always come to our outings,” said Josie Pablo, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Kauai Region recreational director. “He called to say he couldn’t be here because he has a summit on Oahu. But he asked about the Okinawa Christian College Nursing students. He said he’ll be sure to be in attendance, then.”
The outing was coordinated by Pablo who got the help from a number of organizations, including the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation who installed the Mobi-Mat so wheelchair-bound residents could have an easier time entering and exiting the water at Morgan’s Ponds.
“Yes, grandma, you are going to get wet,” Pablo told Teruo Hashimoto, a KVMH resident who only recently celebrated her 97th birthday. “You can’t not get wet if you come to the beach in this kind of hot weather.”
There were the 21 students from the Kauai Community College, assistance of The Kauai Bus in transporting residents to and from the beach, and the different departments, including the culinary staff who brought the Farm to Table dining program, within Mahelona Hospital who accompanied the entourage.
The Mahelona Hospital Auxiliary, deriving the major portion of its funding through thrift shop sales, also is instrumental in the outing, enabling the staff to keep adding to its inventory of water safety equipment, including the special beach wheelchairs, floaters, and other items.
The Kilauea Social Club, led by Gary Smith and his perennial crew of musicians, lend their support to not only the beach outing, but other milestone events on the Mahelona Hospital calendar.
“This is all about quality of life,” Pablo told the students. “The residents are able to enjoy whatever activity they want as long as we can get the (volunteer) support. There are so many stories. Today, is also the 89th birthday for KVMH resident Efrenia Pagulayan whose family joined her, and brought special food to share.”
Sharon Ehlers of the Kauai Community College nursing department said the experience helps defy the statistics she has.
“I’ve seen these same faces, year after year,” Ehlers said. “I’ve been told that when people enter nursing and care facilities, there is just a short time remaining in their life, but not here — I still see them.”
Andres Perez was one of the 21 nursing students at the outing.
“This is my first time I’m doing this, and I love it,” Perez said. “There is no better feeling than helping the community. It makes us all family.”
Pablo said she has sufficient volunteers lined up so the residents can take part in the Mayor-a-thon Saturday at the Kauai Beach Park.
“I already texted Mayor Kawakami to let him know we are coming,” Pablo said. “On top of that, it’s his first Mayor-a-thon, and for the first time, we’re bringing the KVMH residents to the event, too. It’s their first time, too.”
So proud of my little hospital!
Thank you and mahalo to all who volunteered and worked to make this day special ! My 90 year old Dad was there and you brought sunshine and peace to his heart. Aloha from Orlando, FL!