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Council urged to craft concrete technology recommendations for kupuna ahead of budget season
Summary
County Executive Rowena Dagdag‑Andaya asked the Council on Aging to identify specific technology needs for kupuna and deliver recommendations to the Mayor and County Council; members suggested refurbished devices, assistive technology, expanded outreach and a draft letter will be prepared for the next meeting.
Rowena Dagdag‑Andaya, County Executive for the Maui County Office on Aging, asked the Council to identify technology needs of kupuna and develop concrete recommendations to bring to the Mayor and the County Council ahead of the upcoming budget season. She suggested exploring economic‑development grants to fund initiatives such as computer classes and highlighted ongoing broadband gaps in underserved areas such as Hana.
Chair Ed Romson proposed creating a future agenda item dedicated to technology needs so the Council could narrow recommendations and identify action items. Member Lehua Park urged the Council to also consider caregiving education and youth engagement. Member Teana Kaho’ohanohano proposed a program to help kupuna navigate device choices and suggested partnering with local schools to refurbish devices; Member Larry McCarty noted older computers could be repurposed with Linux to extend usable life. Member Heather Ruth‑Durham requested a smart TV and basic cable for the Lānaʻi Senior Center to improve program delivery. Following informal consensus, staff were asked to prepare a draft letter to the Mayor summarizing suggestions for review at the next meeting.
