August Makana Pono
Posted on September 1, 2021
Makana Pono: Employee Giving Program
Kelci Schedler
RN, Team Ekahi
Organization: Ma Ke Alo o (MKAO)
Left to right: Mark Imaizumi, Kelci Schedler – RNCM team Ekahi, Keven Wong (Ma Ke Alo o), and Steven Strawser (Ma Ke Alo o)
Kelci Schedler has been an RN case manager for Islands Hospice West Oahu for the past four years. Always leading by example, Kelci’s compassion carries over from her work as an RN to the community and was selected to receive the August Makana Pono award. She directed her $5,000 donation to Ma Ke Alo o (MKAO), an organization she has been involved with over the past three years as the lead for its Kakaako Kupuna initiative.
Kelci Schedler has been an RN case manager for Islands Hospice West Oahu for the past four years. She provides a listening ear, a smile and comfort to patients and their families in difficult times. She also describes her job as supporting “the kindest, most selfless, hardworking and compassionate nurses.” Always leading by example, Kelci’s compassion carries over from her work as an RN to the community and was selected to receive the August Makana Pono award. She directed her $5,000 donation to Ma Ke Alo o (MKAO), an organization she has been involved with over the past three years as the lead for its Kakaako Kupuna initiative.
Ma Ke Alo o means ‘presence’ in Hawaiian. This organization encourages residents to practice being present with each other and the community. MKAO supports kupuna, serves the houseless, and promotes culture in the Kakaako and Kaneohe region. Most recently, they provided free backpacks filled with school supplies to low-income keiki.
The Kakaako Kupuna initiative initially started with fun BINGO and dinner nights for low-income kupuna. When the pandemic hit, the group had to shift gears to help keep kupuna safe at home. They partnered with many organizations, including Islands Hospice, to deliver groceries monthly to 500 seniors over the past year. They also delivered holiday meals, flowers, letters, and toiletries to help everyone get through the isolation caused by the pandemic.
Kelci said her reason for involvement with MKAO is simple, “It encourages normal people, like me, to make a difference and be a positive presence in our own neighborhoods.”
Congrats, Kelci! Islands Hospice is honored to support your hard work and dedication to MKAO and its Kakaako Kupuna initiative.
Ma Ke Alo o means ‘presence’ in Hawaiian. This organization encourages residents to practice being present with each other and the community. MKAO supports kupuna, serves the houseless, and promotes culture in the Kakaako and Kaneohe region. Most recently, they provided free backpacks filled with school supplies to low-income keiki.
The Kakaako Kupuna initiative initially started with fun BINGO and dinner nights for low-income kupuna. When the pandemic hit, the group had to shift gears to help keep kupuna safe at home. They partnered with many organizations, including Islands Hospice, to deliver groceries monthly to 500 seniors over the past year. They also delivered holiday meals, flowers, letters, and toiletries to help everyone get through the isolation caused by the pandemic.
Kelci said her reason for involvement with MKAO is simple, “It encourages normal people, like me, to make a difference and be a positive presence in our own neighborhoods.”
Congrats, Kelci! Islands Hospice is honored to support your hard work and dedication to MKAO and its Kakaako Kupuna initiative.