Retirement Communities in Honolulu

[Sharilyn]

My Mom and in-laws are aged. I'm trying to research retirement communities in Honolulu. Of course, I've already googled several of the websites, and I do intend to contact a few to see what they're about. But, I thought I'd check with HT to see if any of you have a loved one living in one of these places? Or, have any of you heard anything at all -- good or bad? Thank you!

[Da Rolling Eye]

My parents sold us their house and moved to Olaloa in Mililani Mauka. One has to be 55 to live there, but any age can buy. Parents love it. Quiet, gated, plenty of programs and amenities, shuttle service to shopping areas with the occasional jaunt to go fishing or golf. They do have a restaurant on the premises. Sandy's. The food's okay and the prices are reasonable. They're known more for their breakfast menu and are open to the public. No way they could survive this long if they only catered to the residents. Depending on where they buy the unit, there's also a nice view of the Waianae mountain range. Pets are allowed. Each unit also has a "panic" button. 24 hour staff. There's also a small community garden.

One parking stall per unit and plenty of guest parking. My parents' unit is a 2 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath. Units are on the small side so it can be a squeeze if Mom decides to cook a Sunday dinner for the "kids". :D

Don't know if your Mom is wanting to buy or rent. There are a few units for sale now, but rental units do come up often enough. :( Just gotta check with their management office.

[Sharilyn]

Thank you, DRE. I hadn't heard of Olaloa before. That name didn't come up when I googled 'retirement communites'. Yes, she'd prefer to buy instead of rent. She can probably afford it if she sells her house, but it's so difficult to let go.

[kani-lehua]

http://www.assistedlivinghawaii.com/alf.htm

try this link it may/may not be helpful. i know there are newer ones being built such as craigside in nuuanu and one in kapolei and there's one in kahala (sorry, don't know the exact names). the link mentions ponds at punaluu, pohai nani, arcadia and hawaii kai retirement homes.

[Sharilyn]

Thank you, Kani-lehua. That does help me.

My Mom's friend lives at Kahala Nui. She was invited to lunch at their dining room. She was so impressed... kept telling me she wanted to live there. Hah, she was just teasing me. She knows we can't afford it.

[kani-lehua]

yes, that's the one--kahala nui.

i believe the hawaii kai retirement homes are 3k/mth and pohai nani is way up there.

do you rent or own? would it be possible to build an in-law suite if you own?

[Sharilyn]

do you rent or own? would it be possible to build an in-law suite if you own?

We are weighing all our options. We live on Maui, and my Mom and in-laws live on Oahu. Moving back to Honolulu is our last option, but we'll do it if we have to. I can't have all three of them live with us, tho! Right now, things are under control, but I know we'll have to do something in a year.

[kani-lehua]

i know exactly what you mean, sharilyn. it's very difficult living with relatives. for us, it's not an option.

[Sharilyn]

i know exactly what you mean, sharilyn. it's very difficult living with relatives. for us, it's not an option.
I saw in another thread that your Mom has alzheimer's. Bless you. I don't know if I could handle that... day in and day out... how do you do it? It must be emotionally draining for you, to say the least.

[kani-lehua]

"mom" is actually m-i-l which makes it even harder. we have two paid caregivers, one of which is her granddaughter. they provide the respite i need in order to catch up with housework and just life in general. i've been invited to lunch by a couple of hters, but have been unable to enjoy their company due to the reality of our situation. gardening, walking the dogs and a lot of prayers get me through these tough times.

by the end of this year, we will be making plans to sell our kapolei home and rent this one while building another home on the big island. if mom is still alive when we plan to move, she'll come along and we will both be considered retired before the age of 50.

also, i just remembered the name of the retirement home in nu'uanu: 15 craigside.

[Nords]

... she'll come along and we will both be considered retired before the age of 50.
Lot of people dealing with that-- tough way to start an early retirement.

http://www.early-retirement.org

[Sharilyn]

by the end of this year, we will be making plans to sell our kapolei home and rent this one while building another home on the big island. if mom is still alive when we plan to move, she'll come along and we will both be considered retired before the age of 50.
I would love to retire early and move to the Big Island, on the Hilo side. I have a small lot in Puna, but I know it's a crummy location. I have to try and sell it one day.

[kani-lehua]

nords: agreed. also, i love your signature. while it will be tough to retire and care for mom at the same time, it's no different now. we will be in a much more peaceful setting? refer to below:

sharilyn: your location might not be as crummy as you think. our lot is up at mauna loa estates. yep. volcano. at the moment, it's very peaceful and the vog? well, it's vog. it'll be there. and the lava? we don't know what madame pele has in store for the biggest island. living on the edge?!

[Sharilyn]

sharilyn: your location might not be as crummy as you think. our lot is up at mauna loa estates. yep. volcano. at the moment, it's very peaceful and the vog? well, it's vog. it'll be there. and the lava? we don't know what madame pele has in store for the biggest island. living on the edge?!
Yeah, building in that area would concern me! :eek:

My lot is 1/4 acre in the Ainaloa Subdivision. My Mom bought it almost 30 years ago, and gave it to me. It has a shared driveway and my lot is about four lots in from the street. I don't like that. I asked a FOAF to check it out, and she confirmed it was in a crummy location.

Also, every time I hear about a stabbing, child abuse, abduction, etc... it's almost always Ainaloa Subd. Well, maybe that's not true. Actually, I've never visited the subdivision, so I shouldn't talk. But that's my impression of that area. I'm even afraid to drive thru there, even with my husband. Is that too paranoid, or what?

[kani-lehua]

sharilyn: please check your private messages.

here's some other info that i saw in today's advertiser regarding retirement homes:
hawaii kai retirement community: holidaytouch.com or 396-0720
alexander manor: ALEXANDERMANOR.COM or 526-1559

just tried to send you a private message, but was unable to do so.

[Sharilyn]

Kani-lehua, thanks for your help!

I just enabled PM... at least, I think I did. Well, I'll see if I start to get messages. :)

[alohacandy]

I know a married couple and a widowed woman who live at Pohai Nani and love it. The couple live in one of the cottages and the woman lives in an apartment. There was quite a waiting list for the cottages, so when one became available, the couple immediately took it and THEN sold their home in Kailua.
Are your family members still independent or are they in need of assistance?

[cynsaligia]

i believe st. francis healthcare system is building a mixed retirement/assisted living community complex where families can live w/their elders. it's called the franciscan villas and will be in ewa, iirc. check stfrancishawaii.org.

[cynsaligia]

additionally, i believe 15 craigside has only 10 or so units left unsold out of ~100.

[Honoruru]

sharilyn: please check your private messages.

hawaii kai retirement community: holidaytouch.com or 396-0720
alexander manor: ALEXANDERMANOR.COM or 526-1559

I saw that too in, I believe, today's Advertiser. Went to their website as well. Interesting concept, but I do have one question (don't know if it can or should be answered, since the website does not address this), but my gut question was: how much does something like this cost?

[Amati]

but my gut question was: how much does something like this cost?
Check out this 15Craigside site, about half way down in the Q&A there is some fee discussion. I think the info is already a year or so old, so the prices are probably higher now.

http://www.15craigside.org/faq/frequently-asked-question.html

[alohacandy]

One Kalakaua is another retirement community in town. I've had some patients that said that they enjoyed living there. They have everything from independent living apartments to assisted living to skilled nursing care. They have individual units that go up for sale periodically as well as some people that rent their units. In addition to the buy in or the rental amt., there is a maintenance fee for services.

http://1kalakaua.com/1k-Index.htm

[Sharilyn]

Thank you, everyone. Well, now my in-laws are having second thoughts. I will continue to research, just for my info. I imagine this is a difficult decision for them, so we'll have to be patient.