MARCH 2026
What does being a Gold Standard Award honoree mean to you?
Being recognized in March is special as it is also National Social Workers month. I’m both honored and privileged to be showcased as this month’s Gold Standard Award honoree. Working at Home Health Honolulu over these last two plus years, I’ve discovered my true passion to work with the kupuna (elderly) on the islands of Hawaii; while being welcomed into the homes of the many families, I’ve been able to assist with a multitude of services and support while practicing cultural competency in the diverse population served.
What is a valuable lesson you’ve learned from working in your field?
“When I step into the homes of the clients I serve, I often hear the words, “I don’t want to be a burden.” More often than not, this comes from someone who once gave freely of themselves to family, friends, and community without hesitation. Yet now, when they are the ones in need of care and support, accepting help feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar. My goal is to help clients and their families reach a place of comfort in receiving guidance and support. I strive to ensure that every individual maintains their dignity, respect, worth, and autonomy. It is essential that they remain active participants in decision-making while we also prioritize safety and work toward shared goals of care. During my social work education, I frequently heard the phrase, “meet the client where they are.” That principle continues to guide my practice. My role is to educate and offer guidance—not to force someone into a situation that does not align with their values or readiness. True support begins with listening, honoring their lived experience, and walking alongside them at their pace.”
What guidance or words of wisdom would you share with those who want to follow a similar path to yours?
“Working for Home Health Honolulu has also allowed me to visit other Hawaiian Islands beyond Oahu including Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii island also known at Big Island. Each island offers a variety of resources and challenges. Because of this, it is important to be a creative problem solver, thinking outside the box for potential resources, and cross reference resources that may be on one island and how it may serve another island, along with Continental based services to island needs. When it’s time for a home visit, I bring a variety of resources for financial needs, food, transportation, in-home care, long term care placement, Medicaid, advance care planning, and awareness of yearly programs for services such as utility assistance program for low-income assistance. it is common to visit homes which have no computers, those who are computer illiterate, no printers, vision impaired, and may need documents printed in a different language or bilingual. Social work is my second career; after working close to three decades in another field, I decided to go back to school. I use my life skills and experience to empower myself, show compassion, demonstrate patience and aloha to those who are served. It is an honor to be welcomed into a home as a stranger and leave knowing I’ve made a connection and served the client and their families to the best of my ability.”
