A heartwarming drive-by for patients and their families

Coronavirus has kept Hale Makua patients, loved ones apart

About a hundred Hale Makua Health Services residents at the Kahului facility were greeted by a parade of vehicles filled with loved ones Tuesday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

In turn, residents of the long-term care facility lined the facility driveway and held up colorful, handpainted signs to greet loved ones, whom they have not seen in person for weeks.

Since March 16, visitors have been prohibited from entering the Kahului and Wailuku facilities to prevent exposure to COVID-19. A similar event is being scheduled for the Wailuku facility. The drive-bys are meant as a way of connecting patients with their families.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff and management of Hale Makua Kahului for putting together the Cinco de Mayo parade and more important, for keeping our loved ones safe and healthy,” said Kathy Texeira of Wailuku, whose father is at the facility. “I was overwhelmed by being able to see my dad and the other residents as I’m sure everyone else who participated was. Mahalo for all you do each and every day.”

Keoni Darisay and his two brothers,Wayne Darisay and Eric Vega, brought their families to see their mother, Paulette Darisay, who has been at Hale Makua since last summer.

“This was awesome. This is so touching. We were all in tears,” said Keoni Darisay.

In addition to the parade, Hale Makua has established alternative means to keep patients and their families connected. Video-calling stations were set up at the end of March, and photos of residents and

activities in the facility are regularly posted on Hale Makua’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tuesday was also #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Hale Makua staff passed out bags of face masks, donated by Every1ne Hawaii, to the families in attendance.

Hale Makua, a nonprofit, said it depends on monetary donations to help offset costs and maintain operations. To make a donation or for more information, see its website at halemakua.org/donate or call 871-9271.

■ Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

HALE MAKUA photos Hale Makua Kahului resident Marjorie Miller (with back to camera) waves to her family as they pass by her in the back of a truck during a Cinco de Mayo parade outside the facility Tuesday.

Hale Makua Kahului resident Peggy Pagan holds a sign to greet the parade Tuesday at the facility. Next to her and partially obscured is staff member Jodi Horton.