The Village Model was created in Boston in the early 2000s, when a group of neighbors came together to create Beacon Hill Village as a way to support one another in aging at home through community connection and shared resources.
Across Honolulu today, more kūpuna want to stay in their own homes and communities as they age. At the same time, families are smaller, people move more often, and the cost of living keeps rising. As a result of these societal forces, kupuna often find themselves spending more time alone. For many, a little help or connection would make a big difference.
As a grassroots response to that reality in March 2025, Mālama Village was launched. Mālama Village is shaped by a deep respect for Hawaiʻi’s values of aloha, kuleana, and mālama— to care for one another, our kūpuna, and our shared community. The Village concept resonated strongly here, where connection, place, and interdependence have always mattered. Rather than focusing on buildings or institutions, Mālama Village strengthens what already exists — relationships, friendships, and people willing to help one another in everyday ways.
Mālama Village is growing as a volunteer-driven, member-centered organization committed to helping older adults remain engaged, connected, and supported in their own homes and neighborhoods. While our programs and activities evolve, our purpose remains the same: to create a caring community where aging is not about loss, but about connection, contribution, and living well together.
Our history is still being written — by every member, volunteer, and neighbor who chooses to be part of the Village.
Be part of our story.
Whether you join as a member, volunteer, or community partner, Mālama Village welcomes you.