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Nancy Fujino thinks the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center is fine the way it is. Health Department
seeks comments on
improving Lanakila
senior centerBy Treena Shapiro
Star-BulletinLike other members who use the center, Fujino had been under the impression that the center would be closing. So she was relieved to learn a community meeting scheduled for Monday will be about the future of the center, not its demise.
The state Department of Health will receive feedback from the community Monday to determine whether seniors who use the center would be interested in having the building renovated or rebuilt. The senior program has been housed at the Lanakila site since 1969 and has more than 1,000 active members.
The Health Department would like to put a funding request in the 2001 state budget for consideration next session. But any changes to the building would mean the center would be closed temporarily and the program moved to an alternate site during construction.
"To me, I'm satisfied with how it is," said Fujino as she left the center yesterday.
Even a temporary move or interruption of the program causes some seniors concern. "This one lady said, 'I'm going to die. I have no place to go,'" Fujino said.
Marilyn Seely, director of the Executive Office on Aging, said the state has been trying for years to renovate the building.
"My fear is there are parts of the building that aren't safe, so we have to do something," she said. "We just want this to be win-win, and we want the seniors to have a nice new facility."
State Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said she is glad to see the Health Department looking for feedback.
"They wanted members to get involved with the process to determine whether they want a new building or renovations," she said.
Since other groups will be competing for Health and Human Services funds, however, the senator thinks less costly renovations could be more likely than a brand-new building.
Chun Oakland said she's excited to see the executive branch has offered to consider funding for it.
"There's some health and safety issues that really do need to be addressed," she said. "I think attention in this area is long overdue."
Some seniors are receptive to the idea of a new building. "The building is kind of old," said Jann Uyeda, who became a member of the center over the summer.
"It's not dangerous, but dark," she added. "If it can get rebuilt, that's a good idea."
To give feedback
What: A meeting to discuss the future of the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center