Independent Living Communities in Hawaii

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, Hawaii undoubtedly makes a great place to retire. Independent living communities in Hawaii provide care as needed but leave the rest up to you. This senior care type supports unique lifestyles in communities devoted to social enrichment, support, and overall well-being. Although each location varies, seniors are sure to find a range of amenities and opportunities for recreation. Whether it's a studio apartment or a small cottage, it's easy to see why independent living is quickly becoming one of the most popular long-term care options available for seniors.

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Comparing Costs for Independent Living in Hawaii

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Honolulu $3,099 $4,850 $3,975
Kapolei $4,500 $8,190 $6,345

Hawaii has 8 independent living communities with the average cost of around $2,564 per month.

Every independent living community offers a unique range of amenities and services. You’ll likely find housekeeping and linen services, transportation, meal plans, and fitness centers anywhere you go. Medical services are available but usually, come at an extra cost. Independent living is about sustainability when it comes to pricing - here you can compare several cities in Hawaii to choose the best option! 

Recreations & Attractions in Hawaii

Hawaii has many sights to be seen such as the Volcano National Park, Rainbow Falls, Pearl Harbor, Haleakal? National Park, Polynesian Cultural Center, and more. The Volcano National Park offers the chance for visitors to see active volcanoes up-close and experience how the volcanoes changed the surrounding land. Rainbow falls are two waterfalls cascading down into a large pool below, causing rainbows in the mist during sunny mornings. The Haleakal? National Park has a beautiful assortment of forests, waterfalls, rivers and inactive volcanoes, and wildlife. The Polynesian Cultural Center is a place that allows visitors to experience the culture of the Polynesian people through their dances, music, craft demonstration, and games.

Hawaii's Climate, Geography & Culture

The temperatures in Hawaii are mild with moderate humidity and persistent trade winds and infrequent floods, thunderstorms, hurricanes and other sorts of bad weather. There are only two seasons in Hawaii: the summer lasts from May until October with temperatures in the high 80-degree range with winter lasting from October until April averaging temperatures in the low 80’s. The average temperature is 77 degrees, with a high temperature of 85 degrees, and a low temperature of 71 degrees. November and March are the wettest months of the year, but no worries. For every spot on the island where it is raining, there is somewhere else that is sunny. Hawaii usually receives 17.13 inches of rainfall annually. 

Hawaii is known for its native Polynesian culture. You are likely to see many flower leis, hula dances, hear traditional Hawaiian music, and hear the Hawaiian language called Pidgin. There are many superstitions or omens that are still widely known such as rain during weddings, or taking lava rocks from volcanoes. Many Native Hawaiians believe that taking the rocks will lead to bad luck or misfortune. Visitors who have taken rocks from the Volcanoes National Park have been reported to mail rocks back to the island, having regrettably ignored the Natives' recommendations. 

Hawaii Independent Living Regulations and Laws

All rules and regulations of Hawaii’s independent living communities are overseen by the Department of Health. These regulations ensure that all communities meet the appropriate health, safety, and medical conditions. Annual reports of are to be made public upon request, detailing any past violations and the steps taken to correct them. 

Crime & Safety in Hawaii

Sperling’s Best Places ranked Hawaii 38 on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime) for violent crime and 45 for property crime; the United States overall ranked 41 for violent crime and 44 for property crime. Hawaii has many crime preventive organizations that are trying to decrease crime such as the Community and Crime Prevention and the McGruff Crime Prevention Campaign. The Community and Crime Prevention are in charge of conducting informational workshops about crime prevention and safety and coordinating the efforts between the community and the police department. The McGruff Crime Prevention Campaign’s tactic to preventing crime is by informing the young about the dangers of crime and drugs, to teach them safety and crime prevention early so they may be more prepared and informed later on.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Ko Olina0.546.70
East Honolulu1.1714.51
Kailua1.2015.98

Payment Options for Hawaii Independent Living

Medicaid and Medicare do not usually cover the costs of independent living, so if you are unable to pay for care through your private funds or assets it may be necessary to consider the other options. 

To start, Veterans' Benefits can provide single residents with up to $1,644 a month, with couples able to receive around $1,949 monthly. If a spouse survives their veteran partner they may still be eligible for around $1,056 a month. Otherwise, if you are blind, have a disability, still support children, or don't already have a sustainable income you may opt to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at around $733 a month. SSI also requires applicants to be over 65 years old and a citizen of the U.S.

Senior living lines of credit are another increasingly popular option, providing up to $50,000 of unsecured credit that can be put toward the cost of an independent living community in Hawaii. Repayment terms are usually very flexible and little to no collateral is needed in most cases. 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Independent Living in Hawaii

Residents of independent living communities in Hawaii retain their rights to personal privacy, to file official complaints, and most importantly receive the care they need in a safe, welcoming environment. Just because someone enters a senior care community of any sort doesn't mean they waive their constitutional rights! All residents of independent living communities still retain their autonomy over medical and financial affairs. 

If you think your rights have been violated contact a lawyer versed in elder law and review Hawaii's Ombudsman for more details. 

Hawaii Independent Living Medical Record Rules & Regulations

State and federal HIPAA laws require all resident records and medical reports of services provided on community grounds are recorded, maintained and available to residents in a timely manner. Don't feel pressured to release or share these documents without proper authorization. Depending on the nature of your inquiry, you may request to obtain copies of the original version of your medical records. In Hawaii, your records will be held at their respective facilities for up to 7 years after you've been discharged.  

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.