ABOUT PO’AILANI INC.
Founded in 1976 as a mental health clinic, Po’ailani now offers a continuum of treatment services for adults struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The nonprofit organization runs two residential treatment facilities in Kaneohe and Kailua, and provides day treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment at a separate clinic in Kailua. According to the facility’s website, treatment is geared toward individuals with a dual diagnosis who have experienced relapse or cyclical episodes of their mental illness.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Po’ailani’s screening process requires that all clients have a current psychiatric evaluation, physical exam, and TB test. The facility’s staff use evaluation findings to help determine the most appropriate level of care and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Clients who require intensive care and a high level of structure are typically referred to the center’s residential program, which utilizes individual, family, and group counseling. Group sessions cover topics including 12-step work, anger management, trauma, and relapse prevention. Clients also participate in educational workshops, group recreation, and spiritual/cultural activities. Medication management is provided as needed.
The center’s outpatient offerings include a similar mix of modalities and activities, but clients are afforded more freedom and flexibility. Those who enroll in the center’s day program attend five-hour sessions five days a week, and IOP clients receive services three hours a day, three days a week.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Po’ailani’s staff includes a multidisciplinary team of professionals including certified substance abuse counselors, registered nurses, registered dietitians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other support staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Po’ailani operates two 16-bed residential facilities, both of which are monitored 24 hours a day. Video on the facility’s website indicates that residents share simply furnished bedrooms and have access to communal meeting rooms and outside seating areas. According to the center’s website, new clients may be placed on a waiting list if a bed is not available.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Cindy, the single alum polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, told Best-rehabs.com that she would recommend Po’ailani to others. She gave the facility an overall score of five out of five stars, and submitted mostly above-average ratings, including four-star reviews in categories including the center’s accommodations, its meals, the program’s exercise options, the facility’s level of cleanliness, and the program’s visitor policy. “I have remained sober for 9 1/2 years because of the help from this facility. I continue progressing in recovery by working with a 12 step program, psychiatric help, service work as a Hawaii Certified Peer Specialist,” Cindy told Best-rehabs.com.
B.Z., a Yelp reviewer, had a drastically different experience. He gave the facility one out of five stars, highlighting rude staff and a lack of follow-through.[1] “The counselors are miserable in what they doing and they do not even care about their patients,” he wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Best-rehabs.com has not yet received any reviews from Po’ailani’s affiliated friends or family members; however, one loved one submitted a negative review on Yelp. Mai complained about the facility’s lack of organization and communication. “They don’t answer their phones, nor call you back, so you end up driving there. They are busy doing intakes but you want your process going and leave paper work with them to only find that they loose it in the middle of their move to another office,” she wrote, giving the facility one out of five stars.
WHAT STAFF SAY
The four individuals who submitted reviews to Indeed provided an average rating of 3.5 out of five stars.[2] The reviewers, a mix of current and former employees, characterized the work as rewarding, but some individuals took issue with the organization’s management and its compensation for employees. “This is a great place if you wanted to start your career in the human service sector. You will learn a lot but you won’t be compensated fairly as they hardly ever ever give out raises,” one reviewer wrote. Another respondent “enjoyed working with the clients,” but found the management to be resistant to new ideas.
FINANCING
According to the facility’s website, Po’ailani Inc. works with most major insurance providers. Those without insurance may be eligible for funding through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
[1]https://www.yelp.com/biz/poailani-kailua-4
[2]https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Po’ailani-Inc/reviews