The Kupunawiki's Podcast

04/04/2026 | Rachael Wonderlin | Gerontologist, Author and Dementia Care Expert

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 04/04/26 | Rachel shares her journey as a gerontologist who serves communities across the country and was invited to support kupuna in Hawaii. She began her work in dementia care in 2013, which grew into her passion to help and guide others. She is also an author and writes the blog “Dementia by Day,” where she shares real stories from her experiences. Rachel started her consulting practice in 2016, helping families better understand and care for loved ones with dementia. She explains the importance of being gentle, patient, and understanding each person’s reality, especially when they experience confusion over time.

03/28/26 | Mark Tsuda & Clifton Arga | ʻIlima at Leihano

Mark and Clifton share their background and how they started working at ʻIlima at Leihano. They talk about how the community supports kupuna by promoting aging with aloha and making everyone feel welcome. They highlight the Heirloom Program, which helps residents live with dignity, purpose, and joy while staying healthy, active, and engaged. They also explain how their memory care is designed based on each resident’s needs and interests. They share activities like gardening, games, and crafts, and how they keep residents active and involved every day.

03/21/26 | Darlene Nakayama | Palolo Chinese Home

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 03/21/26 | Darlene shares her journey of serving kupuna in Hawaii, starting as a nurse and now becoming the CEO of a care home. She has been with Palolo Chinese Home for 23 years, after first working as an administrator. This year, they are celebrating 130 years of caring for the community. She explains how they started by helping elderly men and grew to serve all kupuna in Oahu. Darlene also talks about their services, facilities, meal-to-go program, volunteer efforts, and upcoming events.

03/14/26 | Marian Gushiken | EAH Housing in Hawai‘i

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 03/14/26 | Marian explains that EAH Housing is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for kupuna in Hawaii. The organization has been serving communities for 57 years and began operating in Hawaii in 1996. Their mission is to support kupuna, especially during important life transitions. Marian also shares her personal reason for continuing to serve the community in her role as Vice President. She talks about how EAH Housing adapts to changes today by partnering with financing programs and highlights their new housing community, Aloha Ia Halewiliko, which opened in August and is currently leasing units.

02/28/26 | Kathy Wyatt | Hale Hauʻoli Adult Day Care

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 02/28/26 | Kathy shares how she pioneered her own Adult Day Care after seeing the growing need among Kupuna facing aging and disability. She explains that Adult Day Care is an important and more affordable part of today’s long-term care system in Hawaii, especially as the senior population continues to grow and some facilities closed during COVID. Kathy also highlights that many caregivers are not fully aware of the resources available to support Kupuna. She talks about how her center adapted through life transitions, what families can expect, and what a typical day looks like in her Adult Day Care. She also announces her new location in Aiea.

02/21/26 | Allen Gervacio | Kupuna Life In-Home Care

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 02/21/26 | Allen shares his journey to becoming a Supervisor at Kupuna Life and how his personal decision to serve kupuna in the community grew into a true passion for caregiving. He talks about what Kupuna Life offers through its in-home care services, helping seniors age in place with dignity, compassion, and dependable support. More than just caretaking, their team provides meaningful companionship and partners closely with families by taking on daily responsibilities for their loved ones. A unique part of their service is that care plans can be personalized to meet each kupuna’s specific needs, ensuring thoughtful and high-quality support every step of the way.

02/14/26 | Harrison Peters | Aged to Perfection

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 02/14/26 | Harrison shares how serving as a pastor to a small group of seniors inspired him to support Kupuna in the community. Hearing their stories and challenges led him to help create an Adult DayCare Community. He explains the services they provide to help Kupuna age comfortably, safely, and with dignity, and why having someone watch over them is so important. He also mentions that falls are one of the most common reasons Kupuna are hospitalized, as many become more prone to losing balance with age. Adult DayCare is a safer, healthier, and more affordable option for many families.

02/07/26 | Dr. Richard Ries | Clinical Psychologist and Child and Family Therapist

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 02/07/26 | Dr. Ries shares how he works with trauma, especially with Kupuna, and how he guides them through the healing process. He talks about settling in Hawaii and building his practice there over the years. His focus on deep, existential conversations is what sets him apart from other therapists. He highlights the strong compassion and deep ʻohana connections in Hawaii and explains why mental health is just as important as physical health. Dr. Ries also discusses psychological assessments, Lomi Lomi, and how cognitive decline affects end-of-life psychological care.

01/31/26 | Marian Gushiken | EAH Housing in Hawai‘i

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 01/31/26 | Marian shares her path into leadership at EAH Housing, one of the longest-standing nonprofit housing developers serving California and Hawaii for over 57 years. She discusses how EAH Housing preserves affordable communities and helps prevent housing from being converted to market-rate units, while supporting nearly 25,000 individuals and families. She also explains how their team balances development and operations to keep everything running smoothly. The episode highlights Aloha Iā Halewiliko, a new 140-unit affordable senior housing community in ‘Aiea, designed with parks, lounge spaces, and amenities that support aging with dignity.

01/24/26 | Tony Shi | Vice President of CAA Hawaii Cabinets

KupunaWiki Radio Show Episode 01/24/26 | Tony shares what makes his local Hawaii cabinet company different and how they keep costs low. He talks about his daily work and why safety upgrades are important. He explains ADA requirements and proper measurements to make homes safer for Kupuna. Also discusses how cameras, alarms, and detectors help families support Kupuna aging at home. He advises clients to prioritize essential upgrades within their budget and highlights how elevated platforms help in multi-level homes.