Extended state funding
saves senior centers

Cayetano approves funds for the
Lanakila and Moiliili facilities

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By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

Directors of two Oahu senior centers say thousands of senior citizens would have been turned away next summer if the state had not included $230,000 to fund the programs.

"We would have had to stop the programs completely," said Stella Wong of Catholic Charities, which has operated the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center for 16 years and serves 2,500 seniors.

Gov. Ben Cayetano on Thursday extended state funding for the Lanakila and Moiliili senior centers through June 30, 2004, after meeting with state legislators from the area who lobbied for the year extension.

Funding, appropriated though the state Executive Office on Aging, was set to expire on June 30, 2003.

Cayetano said that when he submits his budget in November for the next biennium budget (fiscal year 2003-04), it will include funding for the centers. The Moiliili center receives about $105,000 in annual state funding and serves about 1,500 seniors; the Lanakila center receives $125,000 a year.

"Our seniors rely on the services provided by these centers, which play a vital role in keeping older people healthy and active in the community," the governor said.

Rebecca Ryan, executive director of the Moiliili Community Center, said yesterday that without the funding extension, there wouldn't be enough money to pay for the five staff members who run the various crafts, dance, music, health and nutritional programs.

"Such programs help deter the effects of aging by keeping seniors healthy and active," she said.

"With the economy down, the economy on the mainland down, how were we going to do these services without help from the state?" Ryan said.

"We feel that the state needs to be behind the senior program. While we certainly can see their emphasis on the frail and elderly, you have to look at the preventive nature of the centers, which bring the seniors in for programs and activities," she said.

State Rep. Scott Saiki, a Democrat who represents the Moiliili area, said the extension gives the center some breathing room while it continues to seek funding for senior programs.

Saiki said the Moiliili center has seen its funding cut to $105,000 from $180,000 six years ago.