Testimonials & Reviews

April 10, 2022

"She became part of your family. You made her feel welcome."

My sister and I want to share our appreciation to the skilled nursing team and your ohana at Kalakaua Gardens for all the care you've given our mother.

To think that the primary intent of her stay with you was to ensure her therapy was under the supervision of skilled doctors and therapists at your facility; however, something more than physical rehabilitation occurred - she became part of your family.

Our mother specifically wanted to offer her personal gratitude to Brandi, Brooke, the doctors, the physical therapists, and the staff on the 4th and 5th floor, who all made her feel welcome with smiles and conversation.

With deepest thankfulness,

Luke H., Son if Skilled Nursing Patient

March 18, 2022

"They have given me exceptional care with kindness and thoughtfulness."

Brook and Jennifer – these two in charge of activities are highly suited for their positions with welcoming and uplifting personalities. Your therapists – I have to thank them for my progress. Your three skilled RNs are of high standard in their profession. They have given me exceptional care with kindness and thoughtfulness. Your aides show compassion towards their patients, are hard working, and take their job seriously. They are a great asset to your company.

Kay D. Skilled Nursing Patient

March 17, 2022

"We can't thank and applaud Miho Katagiri enough for her exceptional efficient coordination."

It has taken team work of many to assist our friend Yui, who has limited English and no local family. For the past two months, it took caring volunteers to assist finding interim housing prior to her return home to Japan. She had a respite stay at Kalakaua Gardens for a few months, and we are delighted that she will return home in good health.

Kudos to your staff of administrators and to the daily caregivers for their efficient and caring service during her stay. They kept her quite happy and most importantly healthy.

We can't thank and applaud Miho Katagiri enough for her exceptional efficient coordination with Yui's entry and exit at Kalakaua Gardens. Her promote communication problem solving skills were amazing. Most of all, her saintly character of patience and understanding has helped our friend through this big transition.

Ami and Myra, Friends of Former Independent Living Residents

February 14, 2022

"We never lived in a condo or apartment, so we were accustomed to more space. Tom told me it would be just like a hotel with the adjoining rooms connected. It was the perfect solution."

Residents Pat and Melvin Sakai will celebrate their 65^th anniversary this August. The lovebirds are inseparable and have been enjoying their new home at Kalākaua Gardens since early November.

The couple has been together through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. When Melvin Sakai was hospitalized with an illness last year, the medications made him agitated. He was not his usual gentle, calm, collected self. But when he saw Pat at his bedside, he immediately felt at ease.

That was a pivotal moment. It made Pat realize it was important to remain with her husband as his support. Read Pat and Mel's story in our recent our eNews.

December 30, 2021

"Na Hoaloha Enrichment Program is the most important part of our mother’s daily life. She has made new friends and bonded with the other residents."

Before our mother moved to the Memory Care floor, she was one of six residents selected for the inaugural Na Hoaloha Enrichment Program. We thank Tom Eustace who created, implemented and introduced this program to the residents and their families at a special meeting. The main goal of this program was to enhance the quality of each individual’s everyday life while coping with memory loss. To help achieve this, he outlined a daily (8:00 - 4:00) activity program which included arts and crafts, games, physical exercises and music.

Today, KG’s Na Hoaloha Enrichment Program is the most important part of our mother’s daily life. She has made new friends and bonded with the other residents; they work together in the program and even have their meals together. Our mother has discovered and developed interests she never had before. This program helped engage her mentally and physically which has kept her active and vitalized. Her demeanor is more positive. Before she moved to Kalakaua Gardens, we tried, unsuccessfully, to get her interested in different activities. We are happy and surprised to see her coloring, painting and gardening.

With the many challenges of dementia and aging, we have seen how invaluable the Na Hoaloha Program is during this Covid pandemic which certainly doesn’t exclude the residents, but provides comfort for their families as well. This became particularly important during Kalakaua Gardens’ lockdowns when we weren’t able to see our mother in person. This program provides consistency that ensures a normal routine for the residents’ daily life.

Our family owes a debt of gratitude to Bonnie Ho, Director of Na Hoaloha. She teaches with sincerity, honesty and dedication to helping others. Bonnie is very professional, insightful and creative which is evident by results from the various activities and art projects she creates for her class. She works patiently with each individual at their own pace with an understanding of their abilities. We are well aware her efforts go beyond her job description; like planning and helping residents celebrate their birthdays and other holidays.

There is a coordinated group of dedicated people who ensures a successful program. We thank the management, medical staff, and all those directly involved with the residents.

-Hanae, Daughter of Memory Care Resident

September 3, 2021

"The COVID safety precautions in place made us feel comfortable that patients were protected."

I wanted to share my thanks to your wonderful staff over the recent care of my 89 year old mother. She fell at home and fractured her hip at the end of July. During her stay at Straub Hospital, I had to find a rehab facility for her recovery. After a great deal of research, I learned that most facilities needed to quarantine new patients due to COVID 19 and did not allow any family visits. Fortunately, I found Kalakaua Gardens which was in a convenient location, your safety guidelines allowed family visits and there was a space for my mother. The COVID safety precautions in place made us feel comfortable that patients were protected.

It was a difficult transition for her as she wanted to return home. I have to acknowledge your amazing nursing staff on the 5th floor for their patience, kindness, caring and understanding. Your RNs and assistants display a positive attitude to the patients and family members. Questions were always answered, concerns addressed and everyone I encountered was friendly, informative and helpful. The PT explained what he was doing when helping my mom walk, which I found extremely helpful.

Two members need to be acknowledged further. Brandi Nakamoto, Social Services Director, is great at her job. She provided comprehensive information, contact info, and more. She is so communicative with families and answered our questions and concerns in a prompt manner. Brooke Protacio helped with scheduling visits and responded promptly at all times of the day and even nights. I hope they are recognized for their outstanding customer service and as valuable assets to the Kalakaua Gardens family.

-Cheryl, Daughter of Skilled Nursing Patient

July 14, 2021

"It's great to see how engaged she is and how much fun she is having."

One of the really nice things about being able to visit mom in person again is seeing how much she enjoys the activities for the memory care residents. I've watched her participate in blackout bingo, balloon badminton and various art projects and it's great to see how engaged she is and how much fun she is having. Many of the other residents are also enjoying the activities. Bonnie Ho does such a wonderful job as the activities leader. Her enthusiasm, patience and positive outlook help to get the residents involved, and the staff is always providing great support.

We really cannot say it enough but many thanks to you and the entire 6th floor staff for all that you do for mom and the other residents. I know that it is often a difficult and exhausting job but please let everyone know that their hard work and genuine kindness are always very much appreciated by our family!

-Kyle S. Son of Memory Care Resident (Honolulu)

July 9, 2021

"Services my mom received during her 4 weeks stay was very satisfying."

Services my mom received during her 4 weeks stay was very satisfying. Received excellent service from all staff members and they were very caring and patience. Good job to all that help my mom recover.

-Corrine C. Family Member of Skilled Nursing Patient

July 2, 2021

"Outstanding nurse . . . she always called with updates or concerns and kept us informed."

Okay, right now and several months prior, because of Covid, my relative who was there for surgery recovery and PT, visitation is EXTREMELY limited. I get that. They have strict policy. They're just trying to keep their clients safe and healthy . . . My interest was care. And I'm happy to report that they took care of my relative to the point that he is well enough to come home after 2 months recovery from an infection that he caught at a different nursing home on Oahu.

Brooke is an outstanding nurse on the 5th floor. She always called with updates or concerns and kept us informed, as we live on a neighbor island and were lucky if we could get to Honolulu every 2-3 weeks. Brandy is a Social Worker who has done all of the leg work in getting our relative the care he needed. She was our liaison between the medical insurance company, the facility and and us. She was able to address all our questions/concerns without hesitation. And we called a lot.

Kalakaua Gardens is in a great location.

-Walter W. Family Member of Skilled Nursing Patient (Hilo)

May 27, 2021

"Extra kudos to the Memory Care staff for their outstanding work during the pandemic."

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding care by the Memory Care staff on the 6th floor. The staff has cared for Mom for a number of years. They are very familiar and cognizant of any subtle changes in her behavior. In Memory Care, because the residents are sometimes unable to communicate that they are not feeling well or something is wrong, it's up to the staff to be aware of any changes, even minor ones. The Memory Care staff was instrumental in catching Momʻs UTI and pneumonia in the early stages where the antibiotics could effectively work. Had this progressed longer, Mom would not have recovered as quickly as she did or even at all.

Extra kudos to the Memory Care staff for their outstanding work during the pandemic. They are dealing with residents with limited short-term memory, sometimes angry outbursts, difficulty in communicating, sundowner's syndrome, full moon, etc. With all of these daunting conditions, they were able to keep our family members safe and healthy.

The key to maintaining proper care for the residents in memory care is ensuring long term quality staff. Consistency in seeing the same caring faces eases the anxiety in Alzheimer'spatients and provides them with a better quality of life. Mahala to the Memory Care staff!

– Cynthia P. Daughter of Memory Care Patient (Honolulu)

May 17, 2021

"Kalakaua Gardens facility is by far one of the best on the island."

Mom suffered a bad fall couple of months ago and went straight from the hospital into Kalakaua Gardens Skilled Nursing Facility . . . The professionalism, compassion, dedication, and concern for my mom and my family was unexpected. With this being so new to our family we were so worried how the care would be, what will happen when her stay is over, where do we go from there.

Let me tell you, the nurses and the staff on the fifth floor where my mom was staying were on top of it. Every fall that happened, every mishap good or bad, and every step in the process was communicated to us right away, so it made me and my family confident in their ability to care for mom. We were all actually able to sleep at night since the ordeal.

Special shout out to Brandi Nakamoto who is the social worker there kept us updated and informed every step of the way. Even helped us in finding a place for mom to go to. Brooke Protacio who is the activities director there showed so much dedication, hard work, and compassion. So much so that my mom even said she wanted to adopt her as her daughter.

Special thanks also to Rebecca from the nursing staff and others, I forget their names and all the staff at Kalakaua Gardens for helping with caring for my mom.

We liked them so much we wanted mom to stay there in their memory care unit.

Bottom line is this place rocks. If your loved one is ever in need of care, rehab, assited living, memory care, etc... I would highly recommend them.

Oh yeh and one more thing, you can tell that everyone of their staff love and enjoy what they do,.

– Colin M. Son of Skilled Nursing Patient (Honolulu)