Beyond End-of-Life: How Hospice Maui is Redefining Support

Melanie Dwyer, Executive Director of Hospice Maui

Hospice Maui is widely known for its compassionate end-of-life care—but their work extends far beyond the final chapter. Through palliative care, caregiver support, grief services, and community education, Hospice Maui is helping to redefine what serious illness care looks like in Maui County.

At Pacific Cancer Foundation, we’re proud to partner with Hospice Maui to ensure that individuals and families facing cancer receive the support they need—early, holistically, and without fear or stigma. From seamless referrals to shared programs like Mālama Circle, our collaboration is built on mutual trust, shared values, and a vision of care that starts long before the final days.

To explore this evolving role and the heart behind it, we connected with Melanie Dwyer, Executive Director of Hospice Maui. Her perspective sheds light on what hospice and palliative care truly mean—and why this partnership matters now more than ever.

Many people associate Hospice Maui with end-of-life care, but your work includes so much more. Can you share what services you offer beyond traditional hospice?

We walk with families long before and long after a loved one’s final days.  Hospice Maui offers a continuum of support for patients and families—including grief and bereavement services, caregiver support, and a beautiful residential facility, Hospice Maui Hale. We’ve recently expanded into community-based palliative care, allowing us to support families much earlier in their journey with serious illness. Whether it’s navigating a new diagnosis or managing symptoms long before hospice is needed, our goal is to bring comfort, clarity, and connection at every stage.

What are some common misconceptions about hospice or palliative care—and how do you help families move through them?
One of the most persistent myths is that choosing hospice means giving up. In reality, hospice is about making the most of the time we have. It’s about living fully, comfortably, and with dignity. Another misconception is that hospice is only for the very end—many people are surprised to learn that hospice services can begin earlier and actually help improve quality of life. We gently walk families through these fears with education, compassion, and a steady presence. Our role is to listen, support, and reframe care as a way of honoring life, not limiting it.

PCF and Hospice Maui have been working more closely in recent months. From your perspective, what makes this collaboration meaningful?
Our collaboration with Pacific Cancer Foundation reflects the best of community-centered care. By combining our strengths, we’re able to offer seamless support from the time of diagnosis through end-of-life. Our teams share information, coordinate transitions, and ensure patients and families aren’t left navigating the system alone. It’s a partnership grounded in shared values—compassion, dignity, and aloha. Together, we’re creating a more connected, caring experience for those facing cancer and serious illness.

How do you see early palliative care (now newly covered by Medicaid) changing the support landscape for families?
This is a transformative moment. The new Medicaid coverage for community-based palliative care means that families can now access support earlier—right after a serious diagnosis, not just at the end. It allows us to address symptoms, help with complex decision-making, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. It’s a proactive approach that honors the whole person and supports families over time. I believe it will not only improve health outcomes but ease emotional burdens as well.

Maui County is a uniquely spread-out community. What are some of the logistical or cultural challenges your team addresses in providing care across islands?
Serving patients on Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i comes with both logistical and cultural complexity. Travel can be a challenge, especially during emergencies or inclement weather. But beyond that, providing care in rural and island communities requires deep cultural understanding. We’re mindful of language, family dynamics, spiritual beliefs, and the traditions that shape each person’s experience. We may come from different islands, but we’re guided by shared values—compassion, respect, and aloha. Our team understands the importance of cultural connection, and that sense of trust and belonging shapes every interaction we have with the families we serve.

What role do community partnerships—like the one between Hospice Maui and PCF—play in expanding access to care?
Community partnerships are essential to the future of health equity on Maui. No single organization can meet all needs alone. Collaborations like ours with PCF allow us to share resources, strengthen outreach, and create a safety net of support. These partnerships reflect our values: working together, across sectors and specialties, to make sure no one falls through the cracks. That’s how we expand access and uphold the dignity of every person we serve.

Can you share a moment that reminded you why this work matters?
Over the years, we’ve had the profound honor of caring for the loved ones of our own team members. I’ll never forget when one team member shared “I thought I understood what we do—but I didn’t realize how much it meant until it was my own family.” That stayed with me. It reminded me that our work is about more than clinical care—it’s about presence, compassion, and love. In Hawai‘i, we are all ‘ohana, and our team cares for everyone as if they were their own. That’s the heart of our sacred work and the trust placed in us by our community. 

For someone who might be hesitant to reach out, what would you want them to know about Hospice Maui?
You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable to call us. Hospice Maui is here to walk alongside you, wherever you are on your journey. We offer support for patients, families, and caregivers—whether that’s managing pain, making difficult decisions, or simply being present. Reaching out is not a sign of giving up; it’s a sign of taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

What gives you hope as you look toward the future of serious illness and end-of-life care on Maui?
What gives me hope is the strength and resilience of this community—and the growing awareness that serious illness care needs to be about more than just treating disease. It’s about treating the whole person. The expansion of palliative care, the commitment of our staff, and the power of our community partnerships all point to a future where no one has to navigate these challenges alone. That’s what keeps me grounded and inspired every day.

If you or someone you care about is navigating cancer or serious illness, our team is here to walk alongside you. To learn more about our services or connect with a Patient Navigator, call (808) 242-7661 or explore our website at www.pacificcancerfoundation.org. If you would like to support these efforts, consider making a donation below.