The concept of hospice whole-person palliative care was conceived and championed by Dame Cicely Saunders, a United Kingdom physician, in the mid-20th century. It made its way across the Atlantic to the U.S. mainland in the early 1970s and grew quickly in popularity, offering terminally ill patients an alternative to aggressive curative medical treatments.
With nearly 8,000 hospice and palliative care organizations operating throughout the country today, 14 serve the state of Hawai‘i, including three non-profit groups on Hawai‘i Island: Hospice of Kona in Kailua-Kona, Hospice of North Hawai‘i in Kamuela and the Hilo-based Hawai‘i Care Choices — formerly Hospice of Hilo. All are committed to creating a safe, caring environment where patients’ symptoms can be relieved comfortably, improving quality of life and preserving dignity during one of life’s most challenging journeys.
Patients diagnosed with six months or less to live are eligible for hospice, with all medical expenses covered by Medicare, Medicaid and nearly all private insurance providers with few exceptions.
Laura Varney, Hospice of Kona CEO since 2006, says she and her professional team, together with tireless volunteers, take a wholistic, family-centered approach to the care of each patient, addressing their physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs as well as that of their loved ones.
“We share the primary goal of all hospice groups — ensuring that every moment counts in the final days of life. We embrace the reality that when a cure is not possible, end of life can still be filled with love and comfort,” Laura says.
However, Hospice of Kona is the only one in the state to operate two boutique thrift stores. Memory Lane, centrally located in Kailua-Kona, opened in 2010 as a center for giving, sharing and volunteering.
“Requests to donate belongings from so many in our community — clothing, houseware, jewelry and vintage items — became so overwhelming that we finally said yes,” Laura says. “The name reflects what donors are giving us. Not just things, they are treasures, they are memories.”
Mary Villaverde, who joined Hospice of Kona in 2008, has managed Memory Lane since day one. A gracious host who loves engaging with people, it’s her aloha that has made it such a special place, according to Laura.
“This store is what it is because of Mary — her warm hospitality makes it much more than a place to shop. It’s become a gathering place for regulars coming here for years. Many refer to Mary as ‘The Queen of Memory Lane,’” she says.
Before joining Hospice of Kona, Mary spent 55 years working in the Kona hotel industry, honing her creative skills and executing special events. Today, these skills are displayed by attractive merchandising at Memory Lane and fundraisers, according to Laura.
“Mary has a knack for making everything pretty. All year long, she collects the most unique items donated to the store and uses them to create centerpieces for our fundraising event in December — The Royal Holiday Tea. It’s one of two annual fundraisers, the other being our Casino Night Gala in May,” Laura says. “Proceeds from the events and cash donations from individuals and businesses throughout the year help fund patient expenses not covered by insurance.”
“They make it possible for us to provide so much more to patients and their families — badly needed groceries, medicine, equipment, home deliveries, transportation and more,” Laura says.
The second store, Memory Lane Too, was opened in 2021. Occupying 8,000 square feet of warehouse space in Kona’s Honokōhau Industrial Park, it showcases larger donated items — indoor and outdoor furniture, appliances, artwork and more. Medical equipment loaned to patients, such as hospital beds, oxygen tanks and wheelchairs, are also stored at the location.
Store revenues generate $450,000 annually with proceeds funding Hospice of Kona’s Nakamaru Hale, a five-bed residential home opened in 2012 on a peaceful coffee plantation in Holualoa, according to Laura.
Kona resident Leo Bonamy joined Hospice of Kona in 2013, serving as a volunteer at Nakamaru Hale. He has been a member of the board Since 2019, “I started at the Hale, helping with breakfast on Sunday mornings. I absolutely loved it! Occasionally, I would take patients who were well enough on outings — shopping or whatever. It was a fun and rewarding time for me,” he says.
“I always wanted to do some sort of community service, so when I became gratefully retired, living on this beautiful island I had the chance to do that. A friend told me about Hospice of Kona and introduced me to Laura and team. I admire them all – they are some of the most hardworking people I have ever met,” Leo says. “Of course, I respect everything this organization does for our community, volunteering with them was an easy choice,” Leo says.
Learn how to support at HospiceOfKona.org.
We share the primary goal of all hospice groups — ensuring that every moment counts in the final days of life. We embrace the reality that when a cure is not possible, end of life can still be filled with love and comfort.