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Hughes Trust aids hospital's elder patients

The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation has received a $15,000 "Persons in Need" grant from the Teresa F. Hughes Trust to assist Hawaii residents 70 or older who have a physical or mental illness and are financially needy.

More than 40 percent of the hospital's patients are seniors, and many are uninsured or underinsured, according to foundation officials. The hospital annually serves more than 1,000 elders through its acute inpatient facility on Oahu and more than 1,700 through its seven outpatient clinics on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. These patients are recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, fractures or other trauma. Financial assistance provided under the grant will encourage recovery of the patients, officials said.

Maui Community College instructor Molli K. Fleming has been recognized for her volunteer service to the Hispanic community.

Fleming, who teaches Spanish, received the Cesar Chavez Award from Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. She helps immigrants learn English by organizing an informal get-together with English students learning Spanish. The award, in its fourth year, is given annually by Maui Economic Opportunity.

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