Nu‘uanu
Hale Kūʻike, LLC
Established: 2005
Capacity: 26 Residents
Address: 95 Kawananakoa Place, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 595-6770
Fax: (808) 595-6771
Tucked away at the end of a quiet, friendly street, Hale Kū‘ike Nu‘uanu has elevated the standard for memory care in Hawai‘i since its opening in 2005. Its groundbreaking design, specifically crafted for people living with dementia, encourages socializing, independence, and safety.
Hale Kū‘ike Nu‘uanu’s single-level floor plan is cozy and welcoming, with all the comforts of home and more. Desirable features include a central, easily accessible, indoor courtyard, a lush and relaxing outdoor walking path, and ample areas to relax, engage in activities, or visit with family and friends.
Nu‘uanu Team
Marcus Asahina
Administrator & Vice President of Operations
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2009
Born and raised in Honolulu, Marcus has been with Hale Kū‘ike since 2009 and has made incredible contributions to the company through various positions he has held over the years, including Head Chef and Business Manager. He was promoted to Nu‘uanu’s Administrator in 2018 and again to Vice President of Operations in 2024.
He has earned degrees in Japanese and Business from the University of Puget Sound, in Culinary Arts from Kapi‘olani Community College, and is currently pursuing a Masterʻs degree in Integrative Nutrition from Bastyr University. He is also a certified Positive Approach to Care® Trainer and Coach.
Marcus sees a bright future for Hale Kū‘ike as Hawai‘i’s premier dementia-care residence. “I am very excited to help the company continue to grow and innovate to new heights. Our goal is to continually be setting the standard for memory care both in Hawai‘i and across the nation by fostering supportive, enriching environments where our residents can truly thrive.”
Jessica Marchese
Director of Nursing
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2004
When Hale Kū‘ike opened its doors in 2004, one of its first employees was Jessica, then a CNA Medication Aide. Driven by her dream to become a nurse, Jessica went to school while working part-time, first getting a Liberal Arts degree from Windward Community College, and then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chaminade University. Throughout this time, she worked her way up from CNA to RN to her current role as Director of Nursing, all while raising two daughters.
Today, Jessica thrives on making a difference in the lives of Hale Kū‘ike residents. “They're a vulnerable group: they’re elderly, they have dementia. To me it’s rewarding to be able to watch over them and be their advocate,” she says. Hale Kū‘ike’s home-like setting fosters a closeness among its employees and its residents. Jessica appreciates that the staff gets to know each resident from the time they first walk in until their end of life. “This is their home and we really get to know them and their families,” Jessica states. “That's part of what makes me excited to go to work every day.” Jessica is one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions.
Cristina Domingo
Nursing Coordinator
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2006
Cristina joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2006 and worked her way up to her present role as Nursing Coordinator for our Nu‘uanu location. She plays an active and important role in ensuring nurse aide shifts are staffed adequately and the Nursing department is running smoothly. But aside from providing operational support, Cristina serves as one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions and daily employs its methods when working with our residents.
Reeann Minatoya
Activities Director
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2012
For Reeann, what began as a volunteer opportunity in high school developed into a growing career in Hale Kū‘ike’s Activities department. In the beginning, Reeann found it hard to interact with the residents as she considered herself naturally shy. But as she entered college and thought about her career choices, she realized she loved working with the Hale Kū‘ike residents and had a passion for creating activities for them. She felt even more affirmed when she discovered that Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® justified many of the activities that she did with residents. Today she is one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions and the Activities Director at our Nu‘uanu facility. She is inspired by the residents she works with and finds great joy in coming to work each day.
Wesley Soliven
Kitchen Manager
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2020
Wesley started his culinary journey in Waipahu High School’s Culinary Arts Program, where his love for working in the culinary industry grew. From there he attended Leeward Community College’s culinary program. He went on to work as a line cook at local restaurants such as Big City Diner, Magnolia Bakery, and Stage Restaurant. After working abroad as a cafeteria cook in a Salmon Cannery in Kenai, Alaska, Wesley eventually brought his love for homecooked meals and fine dining to Hale Kū‘ike in 2020. He started as a Line Chef and was soon promoted to Kitchen Manager. Wesley loves the welcoming feel of Hale Kū‘ike and enjoys making the residents happy with food. Wesley is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
In his free time, he loves traveling with his wife, making music, and BBQing with his family.
Cookie
Assistant Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2018
Cookie is our Nu‘uanu location live-in therapy pet. She respects Mimi as the boss of the house. She is an active Havanese who loves to sit on our residents’ laps or follow our staff around. She can often be found hanging out while our residents do their activities or napping under the table at the Nurses’ Station.
Mimi
Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2013
Mimi is a rescue from the Hawaiian Humane Society and is the live-in house cat at Nu‘uanu. She has our residents trained to let her in and out at will. She is very talkative and lets our residents know when it is time to feed her and when she wants to be petted. You will often find Mimi curled up on a chair next to a resident or snuggled up in their beds.
Vita
Our First
Served from 2007 to 2018
Vita, the Labradoodle, was Hale Kū‘ike’s first live-in therapy pet and was trained by Hawai‘i Fi-Do as a companion service dog. Sadly, we lost Vita in 2018. She was a good-natured, sweet girl who roamed our home freely and gave love wherever she went.
