DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM
Marian Tsuji takes a couple of lunches to Lanikila clients.
Serving the underserved
What is the primary function of Lanakila Rehabilitation Center?
Marian Tsuji
>> Position: President and chief executive officer of Lanakila Rehabilitation Center
>> Previous jobs: Department of Public Safety deputy director in charge of corrections; chief of staff for former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono.Our mission is to provide services and programs to adults with cognitive, physical, social or age-related challenges that would support higher levels of independence and improve quality of life. Our core programs are work force development, adult day services and Meals on Wheels.
What is entailed in each of these programs?
In work force development, we provide training to a population that's either physically or cognitively challenged to get them ready for work out in the community. We have various training programs. One of those training programs is our food services program and that food services program provides the meals for the Meals on Wheels program. So there's a lot of synergy there. The Meals on Wheels program provides meals for the homebound and elderly. Meanwhile, it's being prepared by adults who are challenged and who are developing their work skills in the food service area. The adult day services complements that work force development in that they have a curriculum assisting the adults in areas like time management, social activities, leisure activities, care development and learning how to make decisions. In other words, life skills.
How many people are involved in these programs?
About 1,900 meals are prepared and delivered a day through Meals on Wheels. In the training work force development and the adult day services, combined, we have about 200 clients. Meals on Wheels is pretty much run by volunteers, but the kitchen where we provide the training provides the meals. Meals on Wheels are delivered two ways. One is home delivery, where volunteers make deliveries to people who are homebound. Then, we have group dining for folks who can still get around. We have 36 group dining sites on the island.
What kind of progress have you seen?
Many of our clients go on to regular jobs in the community in all different areas. Our training is in food service, janitorial, ground maintenance and shelf stocking. They're all part of our work force development. What we try to do is have a variety of choices about what they might be interested in getting training on.
You've been at this job now about three weeks. Why did you get involved?
It's a population that, I think, within our community has been put aside and they have so much to offer. The thought of helping them through our programs and services to contribute to our community was something that really excited me.
How would you assess the way special education is being handled now in Hawaii's public schools?
What I'd like to see, at some point, is a whole continuum of services that would start from childhood and continue on into high school where there's some career development.
Your previous position was working with corrections. Are there similarities between that job and this one?
There are a lot of similarities. In both instances, you're talking about populations that need training and assistance and developing work skills, good work habits and rehabilitative support services. So the types of programming that are also offered through corrections very much mirrors some of the services that we offer here.
We're getting close to the holidays. Will this be a busier time for your programs?
We have a really big gift fair here right before Christmas. It will be Nov. 7, 8 and 9 at our building at 1809 Bachelot St. We'll sell products that are made here, such as pillows and wood crafts. Also, with the holidays coming up, our Meals on Wheels program is always in need of donations for the meals themselves. We also need volunteers to help us with the deliveries. Those interested can call our Lanakila Meals on Wheels program volunteer coordinator, Kelina Isaacs, at 356-8524.
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