Cadirao Named Director of Executive Office on Aging

Caroline Cardiao. Courtesy photo.

Caroline Cadirao has been appointed director of the State of Hawai‘i Executive Office on Aging by Gov. David Ige.

Cadirao already has nearly two decades of program management experience within the Office on Aging. Most recently, Cadirao served as a program specialist in the Executive Office on Aging where she led the implementation of the Kupuna Caregivers Program—the first of its kind in the nation—providing a small stipend to ease the financial burden to caregivers of a senior relative or to prevent or postpone early institutional care.

In her new position, Cadirao now leads the agency and is tasked with coordinating a statewide system of elderly and caregiver support services in Hawai‘i. She will oversee crucial programs like Senior Medicare Patrol Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Healthy Aging Partnership and the Family Caregiver Support Program.

“Caroline’s extensive experience and commitment to implementing and improving programs for Hawai‘i’s kūpuna and their caregivers are invaluable,” said Cathy Ross, deputy director, Hawai‘i Department of Health. “We are confident she will be able to build a strong, comprehensive system of support for Hawai‘i’s fast-growing senior population.”

Cadirao previously worked as a program director for Helping Hands Hawai‘i and was also a program coordinator for Catholic Charities Hawai‘i. Cadirao holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Hawai‘i Mānoa in psychology and is a graduate of Saint Francis School.

To learn about the Executive Office on Aging’s services for older adults and family caregivers in Hawai‘i, visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/eoa/.