In the 1950s very few things were as iconic in Hawaii than the SS Lurline. The luxury liner brought visitors across the Pacific Ocean from California to Honolulu. Jane remembers it well. “It was so exciting to see the ships come in. People greeted the passengers, they threw coins,” 82 year-old Jane fondly recalls.
Today it is another form of transportation that makes her smile. It is the Catholic Charities Hawai‘i van. And while it may just look like another vehicle on the road, Jane says, “I cannot get along without it.”

But even though close by Jane found it difficult and often times unsafe to walk a few blocks to the grocery store. On one occasion she tripped on the sidewalk and remembers being fairly bloody and bruised after the incident. She also has many times, dodged hazardous drivers as she navigated marked crosswalks.
Now she calls on Peter and the team at Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s transportation services. “We have 14 vehicles ranging in size and capacity that can help our seniors get to where they need to go safely,” explains Peter Reyes, Senior Services Program director at Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.

“The drivers are so patient and kind and help us with our bags.” Jane shares. She is so thankful for the generous support of donors that allows this service to exist as she has found a sense of safety and independence with Catholic Charities’ transportation services.