About
Hawaii Island Adult Care, Inc. (HIAC) opened its doors in 1976 as an adult day center at the Kaumana Baptist Church in Hilo. Through a national mandate to begin adult day care centers around the nation to deter premature institutionalization of elders, the Hawaii County Office of Aging provided both inspiration and support behind the opening of this groundbreaking service for kupuna on Hawaii Island.
In 1981, HIAC incorporated at the Hilo Adult Day Care Aid Center, Inc., and we received our 501(c)3 federally-exempt non-profit status in 1982. That same year, we moved into the old Hilo Memorial Hospital at 34 Rainbow Drive, where we continued operations for 38 years until January 2019. In 1987, HIAC started the Kona Adult Day Center, which later became and independent non-profit organization that remains in operation today.
The following year, 1988, was a busy year for our organization. We started a new service, the Senior Helpers in-home care program, as well as a support program for families of our participants, Caregiver Connection. After opening a small group home in Kaumana, Hale Kupuna, the Hilo Adult Day Care Aid Center rebranded the organization as Hawaii Island Adult Care, Inc. and renamed the Hilo day care program the Hilo Adult Day Center.
For over 43 years, HIAC has worked extensively with various stakeholders, elder care programs and providers and state and county agencies in the community. In 2014, HIAC achieved accreditation for the first time for our adult day services from CARF International, and is accredited through March 2020.
In January 2019, HIAC opened its brand new facility, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Adult Day Center after ten years of planning, fundraising and building. The state of the art building was built in collaboration with the Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. Our participants and families have never felt more supported through this community collaboration.
