Entrance to the Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili māla (garden site), with the garden sign in front, surrounded by greenery and native plants.
Located at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa campus, College of Education.
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Cultivating Care: A Memory Café
Launching in Fall 2025 at Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili
A monthly, garden-based gathering for people living with memory loss and their care partners. Join us for community, connection, and ʻāina-based activities in a safe, welcoming space and supported by trained student volunteers.
Get Involved! Sign up for our Memory Café gathering on Thursday, November 13, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM HST. Scroll down to learn more and view the flyer and upcoming dates!
To learn more or if you need help signing up, contact Melody Halzel at mhalzel@hawaii.edu
Photo Credit: Aime Le
Cultivating Care: A Memory Café in Action
Our first gathering brought caregivers, kūpuna, and volunteers together for connection, planting, and spending time in the garden.
Join our upcoming events:
November 13 – Creation
December 11 – Cultivation
Register here: https://go.hawaii.edu/tSr
Our program will continue in 2026 — stay tuned for our future monthly event dates. Join our mailing list
This pilot project is funded by the Community Care Corps and hosted by the Kūpuna Collective and the University of Hawai‘i Center on Aging, in partnership with the Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili garden site (māla) at the College of Education.
What is a Memory Café?
A Memory Café is a social gathering for people living with memory loss and their care partner, including family, friends, or professional caregivers. These events offer a welcoming and supportive space to connect with others, share experiences, and engage in meaningful activities.
The Cultivating Care: Memory Café will take place in an accessible garden site at Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili. They are not a form of respite care or therapy, but rather a place for social interaction and building community. Each event will be supported by trained student volunteers who help create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment.
Please scroll down to view the flyers and register with the links provided.
Community members and care partners sit at picnic tables under the shade tent at Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili. Photo by Jena Funakoshi
For Community Members & Care Partners
Join Us for the Cultivating Care: Memory Café
The Cultivating Care: Memory Café is a monthly garden-based program for people living with memory loss and their care partners. Held at Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili Accessible Garden site, each gathering offers a welcoming outdoor space to connect, create, and build community through meaningful, accessible activities.
The garden includes wide pathways, shaded areas, seating, accessible restrooms, lighting, and nearby parking. We provide all tools, gloves, and garden materials, and serve light refreshments at each session. Registration is required, and a map with parking and site details will be shared upon sign-up.
Participants will be asked to sign in at the event and complete a brief evaluation form to support and improve the program. Our sessions will provide a supportive, relaxing environment.
2025 Memory Café Dates & Themes (Thursdays, 4:30–6:00 PM):
November 13 – Creation
December 11 – Cultivation
Our program will continue in 2026, stay tuned for our future monthly event dates.
RSVP using the Link or QR code on the flyer.
Registration Link: https://go.hawaii.edu/tSr
Join Us as a Student Volunteer
Now Recruiting Student Volunteers!
Join our team of student volunteers. We are seeking committed & compassionate undergraduate and graduate students to support the Cultivating Care: Memory Café, a monthly, ʻāina-based garden program for older adults living with memory loss and their care partners. Events are held at Ho‘ōla ʻĀina Pilipili Accessible Garden site on the UH Mānoa campus and offer hands-on learning in community health, ʻāina-based activities, and intergenerational engagement.
Volunteers assist with set-up, guest support, creative activities, and reflection. Roles may include welcoming participants, guiding guests in the garden, supporting activities, and creating an inclusive and accessible environment. Training, orientation, and on-site support will be provided, and all volunteers will receive free CPR and First Aid certification.
Student Eligibility:
Open to UH Mānoa, KCC, and other local college students in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, OT/PT, CHW, Gerontology, and related fields. All levels welcome—no prior experience needed. Click the link to learn more and apply today!
Limited spots are available, we will follow-up shortly with those who are selected. A follow-up email will include training details, parking info, and volunteer role assignments upon registration.
Registration Link: https://go.hawaii.edu/YSr
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