Ronald McDonald House Family Room


At Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

Since opening in 2003, the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Family Room at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC) has provided respite and assistance for more than 9,000 people annually. When serious illness or injury strikes a child and he or she is hospitalized, a family’s entire world turns upside down. Often, parents are only able to leave their child’s bedside for brief periods of time, if at all. The RMH Family Room is there to support families during these very critical times, to help family units and supportive relationships endure.

entrance to family room

The Family Room provides a caring environment, a home-away-from-home inside the hospital where immediate family members of seriously ill inpatient children can take a respite from patient care. It is a place to reflect, rest and gather strength while still remaining close to their ailing kids.

“ The Family Room is a place I can just go, sit down, take a breath and briefly take my mind off of everything that is going on just a short distance away. I can get this occasional escape, regain my bearings, and when I go back to the NICU for round two that day, I can be who I need to be in there.”
--Darrett Schoeppner, Maui

Who can use the RMH Family Room?

  • Immediate family members of children in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).
  • If space is available, special consideration will be given to immediate family members of children in the Wilcox, Carter and PAU units.
  • Patients are allowed in the room provided they are mobile and will not need any medical treatment or nursing services while visiting.

What does the RMH Family Room offer?

  • Kitchenette/refreshments
  • Telephone
  • Internet Computer Station
  • Living Room
  • Toys, Books and Videos
  • Teen/Privacy Room

When is the RMH Family Room open?

  • 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Seven (7) days a week, including holidays
  • There is no fee charged to use the RMH Family Room
  • The RMH Family Room is staffed entirely by RMHC-HI Volunteers

For more information on how you can become an RMH Family Room volunteer, please call Michael Ahakuelo at 973-5683 ext. 241, or use the contact page.

This special room is made possible by alliances between Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and other generous individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations from throughout our island community.

Download Family Room Volunteer Application Packet