Rachel Chai, who lives in Mānoa and is raising two keiki, has called the Islands home her whole life.
She graduated from Academy of the Pacific in 2013 then from Chaminade University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She's now pursuing a master’s degree in social work from Hawaiʻi Pacific University.
“I did want to get into social work for maybe five years or so, but after having kids I felt like it wasn’t the right timing. But then I figured no timing is going to be the right timing, so I might as well just do it now,” said Chai, who started at HPU last fall and is expected to graduate in May 2027.
She has worked as a caregiver since 2014 and prior to pursuing business, was a nursing major with a passion for geriatrics.
“I started working in a nursing home and loved it. I loved building relationships with our patients and we became really close. But the downside was when they would pass away, it was hard emotionally,” Chai said, adding that she took a step back and did private caregiving before joining Griswold last June.
She remembered hearing about the in-home care franchises’ National Caregiver Scholarship Program during orientation but wasn’t sure if social work would be covered, she recalled.
“My supervisor at the time suggested I apply; it wouldn’t hurt to just try, so I filled out a questionnaire and essay in July/August and had a final interview via Zoom in December,” she said.
Administered in partnership with the Jean Griswold Foundation, the program awarded 32 scholarships totaling more than $73,000 to those associated with Griswold offices nationwide. Chai was the only caregiver from Hawai’i.
“Being a divorced mom of two young children, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school and living expenses, so finding out I got the scholarship really took a weight off my shoulders," Chai said when asked what this scholarship means to her. "I think having this scholarship will allow me to focus on my schooling and not worry about finances. I want to get my degree, so I can show up for my family, and help the community and other families.”
Finding balance as a mom, student and employee has been a learning curve, she added. “I don’t have everything figured out. I’m trying my best to manage my time. But learning as a student helps me be a better mom and person.”
One pivotal moment in caregiving, she shared, was during a Tsunami warning last July. “I was scheduled to work a double shift, but Griswold had canceled all shifts moving forward. I knew that client primarily relies on us for care and lived in a flood zone. I drove to his house, made him dinner, showered him, made sure he was OK, that he was aware of what was going on, etc. He told me go take care of my own family. [It] was second nature to me.”
For another client, Chai created a “girl’s night in” complete with her favorite dessert and spa treatment. “Little things like that are so special,” she said.
Her advice for future caregivers? “Treat them like your family and it won’t seem like you’re doing it as an occupation. … Show up and bring them dessert.”
“The most rewarding aspect of caregiving is that connection you build with clients and their families. Getting to know them as a person.,” she continued. “You see them at one of the most vulnerable seasons of their life, and being able to share that, protect and advocate for them.”
Looking ahead, Chai is excited for her path in social work.
National Caregivers Day is on Friday, Feb. 20. Applications for Griswold’s summer 2026 scholarship cycle are open now through March 31. For more information about how to apply or nominate, click here.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
