New Director, Medicare OK’d At Kahala Nui
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Marilyn Israel
Kahala Nui has a new executive director and an official mandate to serve Medicare patients in its care center.
Marilyn Israel’s goal is to make the year-old retirement community “the best in the western hemisphere,” appealing to the world-wise residents’ high standards of hospitality.
“This is the most active group of residents I’ve ever seen,” said Israel, who was recently elevated from her post as assistant executive director. Since then, there have been at least two new developments.
First of all, the Hi’olani Care Center at Kahala Nui was certified last month to accept patients with Medicare coverage. The care center can accommodate Medicare recipients for short-term rehabilitation for surgery, illness or injury.
The second item is something that some of Kahala Nui’s 415 residents created themselves: a foundation for the continuing education of the staff.
“The residents wanted to show their spirit of ohana that our associates have shown to them,” she explained. “There are opportunities to grow through learning, no matter how old you are.”
The foundation will pay for career development of employees - whether it’s nursing school or culinary courses. Guidelines and other policies are presently being established.
Israel intends to nurture the many programs at the imposing housing complex mauka of Kahala Mall, including its well-attended in-house Kahala University. It has special-interest classes, from bellydancing to financial planning, for staff, residents and the public.
Israel previously worked in executive positions at Balfour Senior Care and The Lodge at Balfour in Colorado. Her specialty is opening senior homes and being a part of their initial setup. After 25 years in Colorado, she moved with her attorney husband, Stu Leudan, to Hawaii seven months ago to join Kahala Nui, which opened in February 2005. It was good timing, she said, because her youngest daughter had begun her freshmen year at a Colorado college. Another had graduated from college and the third is studying in Argentina.
When Israel isn’t at work, she’s hiking, working out or reading. She’s also been exposed to plenty of new foods since settling into a Kahala home, and she lists dim sum as one of her favorites. She looks forward to learning to use the kayak she bought last month - once she feels it’s safe to get into the water.
Kahala Nui can accommodate up to 500 residents in its three towers with a support staff of 200. One- to three-bedroom apartments range from $360,000 to $900,000 per purchase price.
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