Volunteer leaders and community partners championed the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which took place across Hawaiʻi’s four counties last fall and raised more than $1 million toward the organization’s cause.
LJ Duenas, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi, said that the event had more than 4,000 participants and was supported by over 500 volunteers statewide.
“This past year, we were proud of how deeply we engaged volunteer leaders in both planning and execution across all Islands,” he told Aloha State Daily. “Each Walk is volunteer chaired, and our chairs and committee members played key roles from reconnecting with past teams, building new relationships with businesses and community partners/sponsors. We have worked hard to empower volunteers, not just supporters, but an extension of our staff team and the cause itself.”
Jason Chang, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, and Dr. Mark Mugiishi, CEO of HMSA, co-chaired the 2025 event.
“This year, we want to deepen that engagement even further by expanding our volunteer pipeline earlier in the campaign, strengthening training and creating more opportunities for new volunteers to step into leadership roles,” Duenas said. “We are still finalizing our 2026 goals, but our direction is clear that we want to reach more people, in more communities, across the entire state."
Duenas said his favorite part of the Walk is the Promise Flower Ceremony.
“It is the moment our mission becomes tangible,” he said. “Each participant receives a Promise Flower that represents their personal reason for walking. It is a powerful reminder that this is a movement, and it is personal, and that no one is walking alone.”
He described the Walk to End Alzheimer’s as “one of the strongest ways we bring people together, not only on Walk day, but in many other ways: raising funds, building awareness, and connecting families to education, support and hope.”
Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi directs funding toward free education programs, caregiver support groups and respite, conferences, care consultations, and the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900). Its overall goal is to find a cure for all dementias.
Looking ahead, Duenas is most excited about the nonprofit’s momentum into 2026 and future possibilities for the community to come together.
“At the same time, I am mindful that the need continues to grow. More families are facing dementia every day, and it is on all of us to make sure support, education and resources keep pace especially for Neighbor Island, rural communities,” he said.
Part of the organization’s mission is also strengthening public awareness and advocating for policies that improve dementia care, global research and early detection.
Duenas added: “Early detection and awareness, making sure people know the warning signs and feel empowered to talk with a doctor if something is different. We can get in front of this disease now, and we are committed to making sure no one is left behind, no matter where they live or who their doctor is.
Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi’s biggest need right now is volunteers, he said, adding, “particularly volunteers we can train to help expand awareness and outreach in rural areas.”
As a volunteer organization, volunteers are essential not only to fundraising, but also to mission delivery and advocacy,” Duenas said. “They help us reach people we might not otherwise reach, and to be quite honest, we need to do a better job in reaching rural communities.”
Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi is seeking to hire a new development director, responsible for leading fundraising initiatives and donor relations, among other duties. Those interested in the role may apply here or here.
In December 2025, Lori McCarney, who serves on the local chapter’s board, was elected to the Alzheimer’s Association's National Board of Directors. Learn more about McCarney here.
A list of upcoming events with Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi can be found online here, or visit alz.org/hawaii.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
