Family Services & Support
When a child needs medical care, ‘ohana can face challenges both inside and outside the hospital. Ronald McDonald House Hawai‘i provides services and resources designed to ease some of those everyday pressures and help families focus more of their energy on their child’s care.
Some of our services are available to families staying at our Houses. While others are available to ‘ohana receiving care at participating O‘ahu hospitals, whether they live on O‘ahu or have traveled from another island or across the Pacific.
We provide support where families need it.
Staying at Ronald McDonald House
For eligible families who must travel to O‘ahu for a child’s medical care, our two Houses provide temporary accommodations along with everyday resources that help make time away from home more manageable.
Explore Our Houses.
Support in the hospital
Caring for families beyond our Houses
Families don’t have to be staying at Ronald McDonald House to receive support from us.
Through partnerships with local hospitals, Ronald McDonald House Hawai‘i brings refreshments, everyday essentials, activities and moments of respite directly to families while their children receive medical care.
Hospitality Carts
Our Hospitality Carts bring complimentary refreshments, snacks and everyday essentials to families spending long hours at the hospital.
Stationary Hospitality Carts are currently available at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children and Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center, helping caregivers access small comforts without having to leave the hospital.
Dr. Lois Chiu, Chief of Neonatology, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group with the cart at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center.
Ed Nishioka, president, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii, right, pictured with Gidget Ruscetta, COO of Kapiolani Medical Center, at the Hospitality Cart.
Mobile Hospitality Carts
At Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, our Mobile Hospitality Cart travels through pediatric areas to reach families where they are. (We hope to expand this program to other locations as well!)
The cart offers items such as refreshments, snacks, personal care essentials and small activities for children and caregivers, bringing practical support directly to families spending time in patient rooms and treatment areas.
Our Mobile Hospitality cart can bring comfort directly to where 'ohana need it.
Kapi'olani Medical Center interns assisting at the mobile cart.
Family activities and ‘Ohana Room support
Families with keiki in the NICU enjoying a lei-making break with Ronald McDonald Hawaii Staff at the 'Ohana Room.
Time to pause, connect and recharge
Ronald McDonald House Hawai‘i also hosts activities for parents and caregivers at Kapi‘olani Medical Center’s ‘Ohana Room, creating opportunities to take a break, connect with others and enjoy a moment away from the routines of medical care.
Activities may vary, but each is designed to offer families a welcoming space and a little additional support during their time at the hospital.
This is only the beginning! Our programs will only expand and grow in our mission to help remove practical barriers throughout a child’s healthcare journey, to where that journey takes them.
Who can use these services?
Here for families receiving care on O‘ahu
Hospital-based services are available to families with children receiving care at the participating hospital locations where they are offered. Families do not need to be staying at Ronald McDonald House to use these services.
Family support doesn’t begin or end at the front door of a Ronald McDonald House. Whether a family needs a place to stay, a snack during a long day at the hospital, an everyday essential or simply a few moments to recharge, our goal is to help remove practical barriers throughout a child’s healthcare journey.
