Demand is strong for Plaza at Waikiki housing

Nov. 15--The October soft opening of Waikiki's first assisted-living facility, The Plaza at Waikiki, allowed Louise Goodspeed, 84, to stay in the neighborhood that's been her home for the past two decades.

"The minute I hit 62, I bought a one-way ticket," said Goodspeed, who was living in Maine when she decided to retire to Waikiki, one of her favorite destinations. "I love Waikiki, and I would never want to move from this neighborhood. But I have arthritis, and it's been getting progressively harder for me to get around. Also, I don't have family here. It's a huge benefit to me that they opened and I can still live close to my friends."

The Plaza at Waikiki -- which provides independent, assisted-living and memory-care services to seniors age 60 and above -- will hold its grand opening in January.

"In the last eight months we've had over 600 inquiries," said Colby Takeda, administrator at The Plaza at Waikiki. "That's definitely more than we've had for any other location."

Since 2004, Takeda said, Plaza Assisted Living has been ramping up across Oahu. Earlier facilities in Punchbowl, Mililani, Moanalua and Pearl City opened to strong demand.

"People have to work all day long and aren't always able to stay home and be caregivers," Takeda said. "In other cases people are alone and living in aging condos that they can't maintain."

These dynamics ring true in Waikiki, a community where an estimated 25 percent of the population are seniors. While some Waikiki seniors are Hawaii born and bred, others come from far away to bask in the ideal weather. Waikiki's plethora of small studio apartments, and the walkability of the small neighborhood, which is only 1 square mile at its heart, draws such folks and has created a need for more creative housing options.

"We supported this development," said Waikiki Neighborhood Board member Jeff Merz. "We wanted to see a positive business at that intersection, which has been awful for years. The development has cleaned up the entire parcel. We also think housing is very important, especially for seniors, who are drawn to this walkable community."

While there is a need for assisted living across the isles, Takeda said Waikiki is unique because it is drawing local seniors, as well as those who want to relocate and those who need care while their families vacation here.

Goodspeed is among some 153 seniors who will live in the midrise tower at 1812 Kalakaua Ave. across from the Hawai'i Convention Center. Takeda said the facility offers month-to-month rentals and seven- day prorated stays for those who want to check out the facilities before deciding to relocate or for those whose caregivers need respite.

"People from out of town can stay here while their family vacations in Hawaii," he said. "Local caregivers can leave family members here and go somewhere else with peace of mind."

Prices for the units in the private care facility start at $4,600 per month for a studio with an en suite bathroom and snack station, including a microwave and refrigerator.

"We target the middle-income population. We've got a lot of teachers, retired Pearl Harbor workers and other moderate-income people with pensions and good Social Security. Some people also pay with long-term care insurance," he said.

Standard packages in the pet-friendly building come with high security, three daily meals, housekeeping, utilities, transportation, and exercise and activity programs. Building amenities include common areas such as an outdoor deck; dining, living and activity rooms; and a bistro with a gourmet coffee and espresso machine. There's parking, a hair salon, a movie theater and examination rooms for visiting doctors.

Takeda said medical management, assistance with showering and dressing, nursing and memory care are available for added fees. Residents and guests also pay more for premium rooms with views of Diamond Head or the Ala Wai Canal.

"This is designed to be like a hotel stay," Takeda said. "Waikiki is a new concept for us. We've concentrated on making this an urban and cultural center. We have lots of artwork, and we make plenty of trips to the theater and other performing arts venues. We also try to take advantage of our location, which is right in the middle of everything."

Sarah Jones, 82, said Waikiki's perfect location was the deciding factor in her move there from the Plaza at Pearl City.

"This place has everything that I need. It's closer to my doctors, who are all at Straub. It's also near Sam's Club, Walmart, Longs and Ala Moana Center," Jones said. "It's also more convenient for my daughter, who has to drive here from Waimanalo. The Pearl City traffic was just awful."

Takeda said the facility also is attracting out-of-towners who were looking for assisted-care facilities on the mainland but were drawn to the allure of Waikiki and the facility's guest policy, which allows friends and family members to stay for up to 14 days.

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