[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6654825,"mediaKeyId","5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d","parentId",5442721,"title","State official outlines Hawaii's aging network, warns federal funding uncertainty could strain services","audioSeconds",3283,"startMs",599000,"endMs",3882000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d&start=599&end=3882","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d/thumbnail_599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654825/Maui-County/Hawaii/State-official-outlines-Hawaiis-aging-network-warns-federal-funding-uncertainty-could-strain-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654825-eed57a071d3cdbc3a319c7c6e526db2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989662&Signature=ASnW3X51axvqX0QYhslIhwXKnTpIda40skksqSjOOjazkMkhtkvsAVJq0VRKSMnpxl50qN~ZeXaizC7y8qb1d8fEGyn9eCMny5Honr6MvXRRFH5S08yqB2CetoZOmi-HoOS6Wel~CYK2-TLs6KYCuzB~LDLUA1M5HGXpPBNT5u8~u1gW0btpSS~OFSw5tmQGtgPPJwqhZBQ8XZsAgb~p-WRsAygSlx53x0dmqdHgHeXP04LpMv2Zm0NTL6w8wyroPLuWoobo~7pa0NuucXncQHGKbmfOtP~j2ZcC7R6pxEVkY3mnE5FXxPXJsr2xxrp3MptgSt0va2N8fe7wOKq8bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maui County","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","Caroline Cottierau, director of the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging, told the Maui County Council's What's Up Committee on July 21 that the state's aging network provides nutrition, caregiver support, transportation and other services to tens of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities, but that changes at the federal level could put pressure on local programs.

Cottierau described the Executive Office on Aging as the federally designated State Unit on Aging that administers programs defined by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and state law (Hawaii Revised Statutes \u0013349). She said the office works with four Area Agencies on Aging'including the Maui County Office on Aging'and a network of roughly 57 service providers statewide.

\"I'm Caroline Cottierau. I'm the director here at the executive office on aging,\" Cottierau told committee members before summarizing the office's mission to \"optimize the health, safety, and independence of Hawaii's older adults and people with disabilities.\" She told the committee the state's population is about 1.4 million and that roughly 25 percent of residents are age 60 or older.

Cottierau provided a snapshot of services delivered in federal fiscal year 2024: the aging network served about 47,000 older adults, provided more than 520,000 meals (congregate and home-delivered), about 30,000 days of adult day care, roughly 27,000 hours of homemaker services, roughly 60,000 days of respite care and tens of thousands of transportation trips and information contacts.

Nut graf: The presentation laid out both the scope of services available to kupuna in Maui County and the risks if federal support shifts. Cottierau said the Executive Office on Aging relies on a mix of federal and state funds and that recent reorganization at the federal Administration for Community Living and other federal budget pressures prompted concern about future support levels.

On federal funding, Cottierau said the Administration for Community Living recently underwent staffing reductions and a possible reorganization; she said advocates expect the ACL to be rolled into a renamed \"Administration for Children, Families, and Communities.\" She told the committee the Older Americans Act budget remained at 2024 levels at the time of her remarks, but that the office is closely monitoring budget negotiations because a loss of federal funds would force state and local providers to spread available dollars more thinly.

Council members asked about waiting lists, workforce shortages and reengaging seniors after the COVID'19 pandemic. Cottierau acknowledged wait lists for publicly funded adult day care, said demand is high on Maui and the neighbor islands, and said workforce shortages and lingering caution among older adults have made reengagement with congregate programs difficult. \"It's been difficult,\" she said of reconnecting older adults to community-based programs, and said marketing and new delivery models are being explored.

Members also discussed housing, transportation to specialty medical care on Oahu for neighbor-island residents, and the role of volunteers. Cottierau said the office's policy advisory board planned to examine housing and homelessness and that the office was exploring pilot programs and partnerships to address transportation and congregate-site models.

The committee closed public testimony and, at the end of the item, the chair asked if there were any objections to deferring the item; no objections were raised and the item was deferred for follow-up.

Ending: Committee members thanked Cottierau and asked staff to follow up with specific data requests and with county offices on aging. The director said she planned to visit Maui with staff to meet local providers and area agencies on aging.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Maui County - Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee (2025-2027) on 2025-07-21 9:00 AM - Jul 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Caroline Cottierau, director of the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging, told the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that the state's aging network provides nutrition, caregiver support, transportation and other services to tens of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities, but that changes at the federal level could put pressure on local programs.","taxTitle","Maui County, Hawaii","taxId",12846,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6654818,"County immigrant-services office adds passport photo service, reports 468 applications accepted since Sept. 2024",7283,7292000,8987,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d&start=7292&end=8","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d/thumbnail_7292000.jpg","/articles/6654818/Maui-County/Hawaii/County-immigrant-services-office-adds-passport-photo-service-reports-468-applications-accepted-since-Sept-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654818-90c5427a6f4882eeec467230ebbb4da0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989662&Signature=SdJ31SYQIBGrxUqyzINU83I5PeNC3B2249sWSwkzWo56kJsVHBSFw-B5i6G-EaAYoimrEdK~v83TChBv~o60mD0A9m2JeOj7fWj5g5iKU2~U0byXg2QEqGgInM~lM12L68OJzKUGXAfxk-09044B010TFuv6cntimYMXKoqY~IkXhxNq44lVq43~9T2gVrkenPNC-JGz~S74oIOZadzhCcsryE2OYLSlwSeNY28tCRg0uzO8ft3D~I4EGCsy3DoiSi1YGxgRFpO64rcnviiSFr36ssFivOPfUy9-aDjaf2GSHv8J7QAVsllBPb4ECzr6uMIqrl2Sr47~mNAYMN6rAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Director Jessica Krause and Immigrant Services Program Coordinator Joannu Bernadis told the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that the county's Immigrant Services Division now operates a U.S. passport acceptance facility and began offering on-site passport photo services July 1, 2025.

Bernadis said the division, authorized as a U.S. Department of State passport acceptance facility, accepted 468 passport applications between its start in September 2024 and the committee briefing and that the addition of on-site photo services \"enhances our accessibility as a one-stop shop for passport photos and applications.\" She also said the division is the only non-postal passport acceptance facility on Maui and that staff are trained and authorized to process Department of State forms.

Nut graf: The division has expanded nonlegal assistance and document-navigation services for immigrants, including passport acceptance and a new photo service to reduce travel and paperwork barriers. The office also manages grants that connect residents to legal immigration services through nonprofit partners and is exploring mobile passport services and workforce-development collaborations.

Bernadis described a range of nonlegal supports the division provides: help creating online accounts, submitting payments and case inquiries to USCIS, retrieving immigration entry documents and FOIA requests, arranging appointments, and making referrals to accredited legal-service providers. The division manages two grants: a Pacific Gateway Center grant for access to legal immigration services and a new fiscal-year grant with Maui Roots Reborn focused on immigrant rights and interactions with law enforcement.

On passport specifics, staff said they accept appointments Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., accommodate walk-ins when possible, and have trained staff authorized by the State Department. Passport and related fees provided at the briefing: adult passport book $130; adult passport card $30; expedited processing $60; 1-2 day mailing $22.05; minor passport book $100; minor passport card $15. The immigrant fee for new arrivals (paid to USCIS) is $235, presenters said.

Committee members asked about client privacy, legal referrals and precautions if enforcement agents approach the office. Bernadis said passport applications are sent directly to the U.S. Department of State and that the office does not retain copies of applications. On enforcement concerns, staff said they refer clients to legal partners and promised to follow up on whether the office can adopt policies that would prohibit weapons or require identification for armed agents entering county offices.

Ending: Members requested written follow-up on enforcement-procedure questions and discussed publicizing passport and legal-resource services. Bernadis said the division will continue outreach, explore mobile services, and partner with workforce agencies for job-readiness programs to support immigrant residents' integration.","Deputy Director Jessica Krause and Immigrant Services Coordinator Joannu Bernadis told the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that the county's Immigrant Services Division now operates a U.S. passport acceptance facility and began offering on-site passport photo services July 1, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6654822,"Maui wildfire cohort study finds high rates of PTSD and depression; researchers urge more funding and services",1457,3862000,5319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d&start=3862&end=5319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442721-ef8fc39a719a05f92b67e51985c2404d/thumbnail_3862000.jpg","/articles/6654822/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-wildfire-cohort-study-finds-high-rates-of-PTSD-and-depression-researchers-urge-more-funding-and-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654822-467511cf3965ab46cf53fe3b38171d7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989662&Signature=VZkua6phijvUVcAInHVDB-nw0vDxopeB3MIFvySUGTdPRYiSgWPc3FJr4fdkrbSByRt~QicFvybOOeldx5PZa6MOEWuJh82nQzj1XvTbqFpJOG8nQnmPD72JOuVfna5LMs2J1UAwPipts9WKgIfZDHDsqD78fcDv6ytqM68KJUDFBxxZhxvHFWCNMywV6jeURYD2Y-7CqB2T3m5XuREabxViJpC-Twdmxf2MkPEG9QLY9AKI9YQHx3I7GKpwfoIYrKV9gKQ3IRidtYes464YUpIIPWQpw~l2kKHblevezOgLDKknXGMCinEMoTV2TyKBNMxTIVxxcSmCMoXi3bPV5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Researchers leading the Maui West wildfire exposure cohort reported to the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that more than 2,000 people have enrolled in free health screenings and that the project's year-two results show persistent and alarming mental-health and exposure-related findings among both adults and children.

The research team, based at the Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center and working with the state Department of Health and university partners, said the study enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for full screenings and that early follow-up shows many participants pursued care after the screenings. \"More than 825 participants follow-up with their healthcare provider after participating in Maui West,\" the researchers reported, and they said 320 participants accessed mental health services after screening.

Nut graf: The cohort team presented data showing high and persistent rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) two years after the 2023 wildfires, highlighted concerning biological markers consistent with exposure, and asked county leaders to help identify sustained funding streams for the program and to prioritize health in recovery spending.

Key findings presented included reported mental-health measures and environmental screening results. Presenters said adult participants showed high symptom levels: roughly half screened positive for depressive symptoms, 26 percent had moderate to severe anxiety, and about 4 percent reported having considered suicide in the prior month. Screening identified PTSD symptoms in adults (reports ranged up to 39 percent with mild symptoms and smaller shares with more severe symptoms). The team said child participants also showed elevated distress, with as many as 30 percent showing mild PTSD symptoms and about 11 percent moderate-to-severe PTSD; more than half screened positive for depressive symptoms.

The biomedical component of the study tested urine samples for heavy metals and other contaminants. Investigators said they found elevated levels of heavy metals (including arsenic and lead among others) in roughly 20 percent of samples collected six to nine months after the fires, and that higher urinary levels of certain metals were associated with poorer lung function in cross-sectional analyses. The team said the exposures could reflect mobilization of legacy contaminants in soil and ash and that long-term monitoring is needed to detect chronic disease risks that can take years to appear.

Researchers summarized current funding: the cohort costs about $1.5 million per year to operate for roughly 2,000 participants. They said the National Institutes of Health committed $500,000 per year for five years but that a roughly $1.0 million annual funding gap remained; at the time of the briefing they had asked federal and philanthropic funders and had applied to multiple partners for bridge funding.

During the committee discussion, members and presenters discussed the federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds allocated for Lahaina recovery and noted that only a small percentage of the CDBG-DR allocation had been set aside for public services. The researchers asked the council to consider advocating that a larger share of recovery funds be directed to health and mental health services; one councilor asked the committee to draft a letter to the Office of Recovery to request such a change. Researchers also urged continued investment in school-based culturally rooted mental-health programs and stronger support for community health centers such as the Lahaina clinic and Kahului center.

Ending: The cohort team requested county support and partnership to help sustain the study and its services, and researchers warned the program could scale back or stop without renewed funding (they said the study risked shutting down by October 2025 without additional support). Committee members agreed to explore letters of support and potential funding coordination as follow-up steps.","Researchers leading the Maui West wildfire exposure cohort reported to the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that more than 2,000 people have enrolled in free health screenings and that year-two results show persistent and alarming mental-health and exposure-related findings among adults and children two years after the August 2023 wildfires.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State official outlines Hawaii's aging network, warns federal funding uncertainty could strain services

County immigrant-services office adds passport photo service, reports 468 applications accepted since Sept. 2024

Maui wildfire cohort study finds high rates of PTSD and depression; researchers urge more funding and services