We ask our volunteers to communicate regularly with your kupuna according to the schedule you and your kūpuna have agreed upon. Some kūpuna are struggling with the fact that they are becoming more dependent on others, and they may need the reassurance that their volunteer is reliable.

1. If/when you are running late or if unforeseen circumstances affect calls or deliveries, please let your kupuna know. 


2. If/when you decide to resign/retire as an OK volunteer, we ask that you chat with us first, then inform your kupuna – we find this helps give the kupuna closure.

Our Kūpuna volunteers pickup and deliver essential supplies (food, pharmacy/medication, necessary household supplies) for their kupuna. Volunteers shop for the kupuna every other week, and we suggest a 2-hour time limit and 2-store limit per shopping trip. (We want this to be a sustainable volunteering experience.)

1. With your kupuna, make a plan for the shopping schedule, how and when to share the shopping list, and what to do when an item on this list is out of stock. 


2. If you’re planning a trip for 2 weeks or less, please try to stock up your kupuna to last them until your return. We may be short on volunteers in your area.

3. If you need a volunteer verification letter, please ask and one will be sent to you.

The volunteer calls the kūpuna once a week to check-in and sees how they’re doing (unless your kūpuna declines these check-in calls). These check-ins are an opportunity for volunteers and kūpuna to share information with each other, agree on logistics (such as upcoming shopping schedules), or talk story. These calls can help ease the loneliness and isolation homebound/alone kūpuna may experience.

The form of reimbursement should be discussed and agreed upon by both the volunteer and the kūpuna (cash, check, PayPal, Venmo). Volunteers will pay for the items on the shopping list then inform the kūpuna of the balance as stated on the sales receipt (we suggest doing this before leaving the store to give the kūpuna time to prepare reimbursement).

Please deliver your kupuna’s items at the doorstep of their residence, unless the kupuna specifies another preferred location (such as an outdoor table or a chair they can roll to their kitchen).

Upon delivery, the volunteer will provide the receipt for the purchased items, and the kupuna will reimburse the volunteer at that time using cash or check.

If you are unable to do a delivery, we will do our best to give the kūpuna a temporary volunteer. We ask that you let us know, as soon as possible, if you become aware of something that may hinder your ability to safely and reliably deliver groceries to your kūpuna. These may include: potential sickness and/or coronavirus exposure; unexpected family/life emergency; vacations/trips longer than 2 weeks, or needing a break.

All of our delivery volunteers have passed a criminal background check and have successfully completed the screening process. If you are not able to provide delivery to the kūpuna yourself, please do not delegate to another person on your own. OK will find another volunteer to help the kūpuna. If a relative or friend would like to be a volunteer, please have them register at ourkupuna.com.


If you will be away for longer than 2 weeks, please stock up your kūpuna before you go (if you can) and share with us your start and end dates, when you last shopped (or will shop) for your kūpuna and any other information that will help us find an appropriate temporary substitute volunteer.

We ask that our volunteers keep open communication with us, especially regarding the following: change in address or phone number, resigning from volunteering, loss of contact with your kūpuna or you haven’t heard from them in over 2 weeks, concerns regarding your kūpuna, and how we can support you as an OK volunteer. While our mission is predominantly to support kūpuna, we aim to support our amazing volunteers too! Our program wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for you!

• Service Check-in: Please provide OK staff with regular updates via text at (808) 400-7194 or through the website at www.ourkupuna.com/checkin. We especially like to know: if things are going well between you and your kūpuna, when you last spoke to your kūpuna and how they’re doing, the last time you shopped for them, and if you have any questions or concerns. (If we haven’t heard from you in a month or more, we may reach out.) 


While OK volunteers agree to provide the above-described procedures #1-7, they are not expected to provide other assistance or services as part of their volunteer engagement with Our Kūpuna. Your kūpuna may request assistance beyond the delivery of essentials - these requests may include:

1. giving kūpuna rides


2. entering your kūpuna’s home


3. providing any in-home services (such as cleaning or cooking)


4. paying for your kupuna's groceries without being reimbursed

5. accepting financial tips (financial payment beyond grocery cost reimbursement could 
jeopardize our nonprofit 501(c)(3) status)


Volunteers should not pay for a kūpuna’s groceries or essential items without reimbursement. While generosity is appreciated, this boundary helps prevent financial strain, misunderstandings, and unequal expectations. Our Kūpuna volunteers are asked to follow the established reimbursement process to ensure fairness, clarity, and consistency for everyone. In the rare event that a volunteer does not receive reimbursement from their kupuna, Our Kūpuna will work with the volunteer to ensure they are made whole.