Kokua Mau

Statewide Network. Since 1999, Kokua Mau has served as a statewide coalition to help those facing serious illness and their loved ones. Our actively managed website has accurate information care planning, including advanced directives and post, palliative care, Hospice care, and grief and bereavement services. This information is free of charge and is used widely across the state. Our newsletter goes out on a regular basis sharing information, resources and trainings for those involved with serious illness care. We also conduct regular trainings , meetings and palliative care clinical case discussions for the entire community. We work with providers, health plans, long term care facilities, state agencies, and other stakeholders to keep serious illness care on the agenda in various policy and program areas. We also answer inquiries from the public and professionals on Advance Care Planning, POLST, palliative care, hospice, bereavement, mortuaries and other related topics.

Building palliative care. In 2022 Kokua Mau continued its focus on building palliative care awareness and capacity in Hawaii. Kokua Mau runs a Palliative Care Awareness committee which meets on a biweekly basis to increase awareness and engagement of both professionals and the general public. As a part of that committee, Kokua Mau has done trainings for a variety of professional groups as well as for the public including cancer survivors. Kokua Mau continues to update its web pages for families, patients, and caregivers to make sure that the most accurate information is included. Kokua Mau is an active member of Hui Pohala, a coalition focusing on palliative care workforce development.

Advanced care planning (ACP) including POLST. Kokua Mau's ACP program conducts workshops and trainings to make conversations about serious illness the norm in our community. Our ACP coordinator conducts community trainings across the state for the public and for professionals. Because of the pandemic, many sessions shifted to zoom but we have now begun in person sessions again. Kokua Mau is the coordinator for the POLST program, an out of hospital medical order that documents patients' medical orders. Kokua Mau's website is the official site for the program. Kokua Mau does education and outreach for professionals and public across the state, staffs the POLST leadership task force and serves on national committees.