Taking Care of Tutu - Navigating Estate Planning and Probate with Aloha

Meg Obenauf
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

Welcome to "Taking Care of Tutu," the podcast that explores the legal mechanics of how we care for our loved ones and ourselves using the tools of estate planning, probate, and elder law. Join us as we dive into the world of legal intricacies with a touch of aloha spirit. In this podcast, we follow the journey of a dedicated estate planning, probate, and elder law firm as they share insights, stories, and expert advice. They're on a mission to be a one-stop resource in Hawaii for all things related to creating trusts and wills, passing on the family home, and helping tutu qualify for the care she needs. Our hosts are passionate about their community and have one main goal for this podcast: extending a helping hand to those in need in the Maui community. They're here to tackle the exploitation of the elderly, greedy family members, and unscrupulous attorneys head-on and share stories that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the heartbreak of improper planning or family disputes. Our hosts are here to guide you through it all and offer tips for listeners interested in avoiding drama in their own families. Join us as we answer your major questions: Do I need a trust or a will? A Power of attorney? When would I need to file a probate? How do I get my mom on Medicaid? Get ready for a podcast that combines legal expertise with heartfelt stories, making the complexities of estate planning and probate on Maui accessible and relatable. Your ohana deserves the utmost care and attention.

  1. Oct 23

    069: Help at Home for Our Kupuna: Bayada Helps Tutu with Home Care and Home Health in Hawaii

    What's the difference between home care and home health, and how do you pay for each? In this episode of Taking Care of Tutu, we sit down with Teana Kaho'ohanohano, director of the Bayada Home Care office on Maui, and Gabe Givnish, director of the Bayada Home Health office, to sort it all out. Teana explains that home care is non-medical support for kupuna who want to age in place: help with bathing, dressing, toileting, meals, shopping, errands, and companionship, with caregivers available around the clock, including overnight. It's paid for privately or through Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or VA benefits. Gabe explains that home health is short-term skilled care ordered by a doctor, with nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists helping someone recover after a surgery, a hospital stay, or a stroke. It is covered by Medicare and private health insurance. Gabe also clears up a common point of confusion: "Homebound does not mean someone is bedbound." Along the way, we chat about what in-home care Medicaid may cover (Teana has seen anywhere from 12 hours a day to 12 hours a week), how Bayada coordinates directly with long-term care insurance so families aren't left to untangle the paperwork, and what to do when it's difficult to get a doctor's appointment on Maui. They also share what to look for when you're choosing a provider: a long track record, strong star ratings on Medicare.gov, how quickly they can get to your loved one, backup plans when a caregiver calls in sick, and the kind of welcome you get on that very first phone call. As Teana puts it, "You will always get someone in our office who answers the phone, 24/7." You'll also hear about care for visitors at a hotel, care that can follow your loved one to another Bayada office on the mainland, and Bayada's paid caregiver training class for anyone 18 and older who wants to start a career in healthcare. To reach Bayada Home Care, call 808-244-4700. For Bayada Home Health, call 808-667-5440. You can also visit Bayada.com and filter by island to see what's available near you. Mahalo to Teana and Gabe for the work they do for our ohana! Related episodes: In this episode, we refer to Medicaid paying for long term care services. To learn more about how to financially qualify for Medicaid, tune in to Episodes 7, 8, and 18 of this podcast! Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    069: Help at Home for Our Kupuna: Bayada Helps Tutu with Home Care and Home Health in Hawaii

  2. Oct 9

    068: AARP Hawaii Wants to Help You Age in Place

    Episode summary We welcome Jackie Boland of AARP Hawaii back to the show as our first repeat guest! Jackie tells us all about the free Maui Successful Aging Conference, set for October 17, 2026. Then she hands the mic over to Keali'i Lopez, who catches us up on what AARP Hawaii is up to across the state: housing and condominium advocacy, Community Challenge Grants awarded across Maui, Hawaiʻi's new ban on cryptocurrency kiosks, and upcoming legislation to support the state's 210,000 family caregivers. Keali'i also shares how her family took turns caring for her mother at home for five years, and why she sees caregiving as a blessing rather than a burden. Upcoming events Maui Successful Aging Conference When and where: Friday, October 17, 8:00 a.m. to noon at Kaunoa Senior Services. Cost and membership: Free and open to all ages. You don't need to be an AARP member. Food: Snacks, water, and coffee are served at breaks. Schedule: 8:00: Check-in and resource fair. 8:30: Legal Issues for Successful Aging, with Meg Obenauf, or Successful Aging Starts at Home, on home modification and fall safety using AARP's HomeFit Guide. 9:45: Care Options for Aging in Place, or Memory Strategies for Successful Aging. 11:00: Train Your Brain: Move It, Use It, Stay Healthy, with Amy Kelly, or Stay Housed on Maui, a conversation with Hale Mahaolu. All morning: Drop-in tech help from Tech Savvy Teens. Bring your phone, tablet, or laptop. Register: Go to aarp.org/hi, click Events, and enter your zip code. If you have a hard time, call Kaunoa Senior Services. Caregiver Pit Stop When and where: Saturday, November 14, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., Azeka Shopping Center, Kīhei. What it is: A drive-through pickup of gift bags and resources to thank family caregivers. Register: Registration is required at aarp.org/hi. Get involved Condo concerns: Email hiaarp@aarp.org with "Condominium" in the subject line. Keali'i is personally handling this issue. Caregiver legislation: To support the caregiver tax credit or paid family leave, email the same address. Volunteer driving: The Maui ride program relies on volunteers. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    068: AARP Hawaii Wants to Help You Age in Place

  3. Sep 24

    067: Welcome back to OLG, Jasmine!

    Episode Summary We welcome Ms. Jasmine Joao back to Obenauf Law Group! Many clients will remember Jasmine from her time at our front desk. Now she has gone and gotten herself graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law and is back as our associate attorney. In addition to her work on Maui, Jasmine will play a big part in our new Big Island office, which opened in Kona in July. Meg and Jasmine chat about Jasmine's path to law school and back to OLG. They also share what really happens in a client meeting and why planning ahead matters so much. Key Takeaway Estate planning isn't just for someone else's family. Good planning protects everyone and keeps families out of court. Many of our clients go on to encourage their parents, siblings and children to plan too, and some even buy estate plans for their kids. An Important Update: Jasmine told us on the podcast she was expecting her bar exam results in October, but she got them early. She passed! Huzzah! She'll be getting sworn in in October. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    067: Welcome back to OLG, Jasmine!

  4. Sep 11

    066: Kaibigan ng Lahaina is Helping Their Community Rebuild

    In this episode, Meg sits down with Sieny Corpuz, one of the founders and the current Director of Community Operations at Kaibigan ng Lahaina, a nonprofit born in the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. Sieny shares the organization's origin story, its intentional, culturally-rooted approach to disaster case management, and the many ways the team supports survivors — from legal and mental health support to assisting kupuna with loan paperwork and even grocery shopping. Sieny shares that Kaibigan ng Lahaina has provided over 1000 hours of mental health counseling to fire survivors, free of charge. Kaibigan ng Lahaina's Upcoming Event Community Wellness Fair - September 18th, 2026, 5:00 – 8:00 PM at their new resource center located at 70 Kupuohi Street, Suite 104 Featuring: 14-day disaster preparedness kits Kupuna kits (including haircut certificates) Self-care kits Resources and giveaways for the whole family! How to Connect with Kaibigan ng Lahaina Website: kaibiganlahaina.org Email: info@kaibiganlahaina.org Instagram & Facebook: @kaibiganlahaina Phone: 803-999-6761 Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    066: Kaibigan ng Lahaina is Helping Their Community Rebuild

  5. Jul 16

    065: How Our Kupuna Supports Hawaii's Seniors Through Grocery Delivery, Care Navigation, and Friendly Check-ins

    In This Episode We chat with Juna Sanchez and Primrose Lehualani Kekahuna Harris from Our Kupuna, a Hawaii nonprofit helping kupuna stay independent, connected, and supported at home — through the power of volunteers. About Our Kupuna Our Kupuna's Volunteer Connections Program, launched in 2020, matches volunteers with kupuna across the islands to help with grocery shopping, medication pickup, and essential errands. The organization also runs a Phone Buddy program, offering weekly check-in calls, and a Pen Pal program, where volunteers — often local high schoolers or Girl Scouts — send handwritten letters and cards to their matched kupuna each month. Both programs were created to fight isolation and bring a little joy into seniors' daily lives. In late 2023, Our Kupuna launched the Aloha Maui Program in response to the fires, serving kupuna 60 and older who were directly impacted. The program has grown from urgent essential-needs delivery into an ongoing effort that includes monthly food deliveries in partnership with the Maui Food Bank, Lyft-coordinated transportation to medical appointments, and hands-on care navigation to connect displaced kupuna with housing, financial assistance, and other resources. Many of the seniors they serve are not on social media or comfortable navigating services online. Join us as Lehua and Juna talk story about the work they do and its impact on our Hawaii kupuna! Get Involved Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or referring a kupuna can visit ourkupuna.com or call 808-215-0073. While kupuna referrals are typically made through a healthcare professional, social worker, or case manager, Juna and Lehua encourage anyone with questions to simply reach out. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    065: How Our Kupuna Supports Hawaii's Seniors Through Grocery Delivery, Care Navigation, and Friendly Check-ins

  6. Jul 16

    064: But Who Helps Tutu After the Hospital? Bridging the Gap in Post-Acute Care with Kalele Care Services

    When Tutu returns home from the hospital or the care home, who helps her get organized? Maybe Kalele Care Services! In this episode, we chat with Erin Salez, Clinical Operations Manager for Kalele Care Services. They play a critical role in post-acute (after the hospital or rehab) care across Hawaii. Erin breaks down what happens — and what can go wrong — in the gap between leaving the hospital and getting back to your regular doctor, and she explains how Kalele's nurse practitioner and community health workers step in to keep people safe, supported, and out of the hospital. We cover everything from medication management and "white coat syndrome" to home safety checks, social determinants of health, and a powerful client story about what's possible when care is delivered with compassion instead of judgment. Resources & Contact Learn more or refer yourself/a loved one: Search "Kalele Care Services" online — you'll find their referral form on the Ohana Pacific Health website Phone: 871-9215 Referrals: Self-referrals and primary care referrals (including by fax) are both accepted Service area: Available across Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and other Hawaii islands served by Ohana Pacific Health Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    064: But Who Helps Tutu After the Hospital? Bridging the Gap in Post-Acute Care with Kalele Care Services

  7. Jun 4

    063: Episode 45 Re-run: Supporting Loved Ones with Alzheimer's & Dementia — A Conversation with Cindy Fowler of the Alzheimer's Association

    Aloha! June is Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, so in honor of that we're re-broadcasting our interview with Cindy Fowler, Program Manager for Kauaʻi and Maui County at the Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter. I keep telling caregivers about Cindy and her Care Bears at the Alzheimer's Association, because they offer individual consultations for caregivers to troubleshoot real caregiving challenges, such as refusing to shower, resistance to adult daycare, or insisting on attending medical appointments alone.  With a background in physical therapy and years of working with kūpuna in home health, Cindy brings deep professional and personal experience to the conversation—including caring for her own mother and father-in-law through dementia. She shares with us the Ten Warning Signs of Dementia so we know what is typical aging and what symptoms mean it's time to seek medical attention. In this episode, you will hear: What support does the Alzheimer's Association of Hawaii offer caregivers of individuals with dementia in Hawaii? How can families form meaningful partnerships with loved ones affected by dementia while maintaining independence? What are the unique challenges associated with different types of dementia, such as Lewy body, vascular, and frontotemporal dementia? How can caregivers recognize early warning signs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to ensure timely intervention? What strategies can be employed to manage Alzheimer's-related challenges like driving restrictions and elopement risks? What are the latest advancements in Alzheimer's treatments and diagnostics, including new FDA-approved therapies and blood tests? LINKS Resources from this Episode Guest's Website - https://www.alz.org/hawaii Guest's Office Number: (808) 518-6655 Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: (800) 272-3900 Email: cfowler@alz.org Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    063: Episode 45 Re-run: Supporting Loved Ones with Alzheimer's & Dementia — A Conversation with Cindy Fowler of the Alzheimer's Association

  8. May 20

    062: Navigating Cancer on Maui: Pacific Cancer Foundation

    Aloha! This week on the Taking Care of Tutu podcast, we sit down with mother-daughter duo Andrea Bacos (patient navigator) and Tori Golis-Bacos (care coordinator) from Pacific Cancer Foundation on Maui. They share their deeply personal path into this work, walk us through what the foundation offers, and explain why no one facing a cancer diagnosis on Maui should have to navigate it alone. In This Episode: What is Pacific Cancer Foundation? What is a Patient Navigator? What Services Does PCF Offer? What is PCF's Greatest need? How Does Someone Access PCF?   Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    062: Navigating Cancer on Maui: Pacific Cancer Foundation
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About

Welcome to "Taking Care of Tutu," the podcast that explores the legal mechanics of how we care for our loved ones and ourselves using the tools of estate planning, probate, and elder law. Join us as we dive into the world of legal intricacies with a touch of aloha spirit. In this podcast, we follow the journey of a dedicated estate planning, probate, and elder law firm as they share insights, stories, and expert advice. They're on a mission to be a one-stop resource in Hawaii for all things related to creating trusts and wills, passing on the family home, and helping tutu qualify for the care she needs. Our hosts are passionate about their community and have one main goal for this podcast: extending a helping hand to those in need in the Maui community. They're here to tackle the exploitation of the elderly, greedy family members, and unscrupulous attorneys head-on and share stories that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the heartbreak of improper planning or family disputes. Our hosts are here to guide you through it all and offer tips for listeners interested in avoiding drama in their own families. Join us as we answer your major questions: Do I need a trust or a will? A Power of attorney? When would I need to file a probate? How do I get my mom on Medicaid? Get ready for a podcast that combines legal expertise with heartfelt stories, making the complexities of estate planning and probate on Maui accessible and relatable. Your ohana deserves the utmost care and attention.

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