Temples to add adult daycare
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
In response to an aging population in 'Aiea and Pearl City, two Buddhist temples plan to build adult daycare centers on their grounds.
'Aiea Hongwanji Mission at 99-186 Puakala St. is renovating its two-story temple to house a daycare center expected to open in November.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission at 858 Second St. has submitted an application to the city for a conditional-use permit to renovate its social hall for a senior center. If the permit is approved, the church hopes to begin construction at the end of the year and open the center July 2004.
The temples have about 215 and 300 member families, respectively. Daycare services will not be limited to their membership, however.
"This is a community project," said Rev. Shinkai Murakami of Pearl City Hongwanji Mission. "It's not only for the Buddhist people. We're aiming (the daycare center) for the entire community."
The idea to build a center came from the church itself, but Murakami feels it will fill a community need. "Pearl City has become an old community now," he said.
About 80 percent of Pearl City Hongwanji Mission's members are older than 65.
According to Al Fukushima, former Pearl City Neighborhood Board chairman, the area has a shortage of senior-based services and care facilities. The board fully supported the church's proposal.
"A facility like this would be more than welcome here," said Fukushima, who has been a supporting member of the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission for more than 20 years. "A lot of these people just stay at home or don't have contact with anyone their own age."
The adult daycare center at 'Aiea Hongwanji Mission will be in the temple basement, with its preschool. The church hopes having the groups together will promote intergenerational interaction.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission has asked the city for permission to expand its parking area and renovate its social hall to accommodate as many as 40 people a day, Monday through Friday.
Anyone interested in helping Pearl City Hongwanji Mission with its adult daycare center may call Murakami at 455-1680 or write to him at P.O. Box 264, Pearl City, HI 96782.
Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
