DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Hawaii

Last updated: 10 April 2026

Bottom Line: Hawaii does not appear to run one statewide public durable medical equipment (DME) loan-closet system. The best statewide starting points are the Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center and the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii, but the real answer depends on which island you live on. Maui has a clear public loan-closet website, Kauai says donated equipment may be available through the county aging office, Hawaii Island has a community loan closet listed in the county resource directory, and Oahu often relies on case managers, St. Francis, and licensed suppliers instead of one central public closet.

Emergency help now

• Call the statewide Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center at 808-643-2372 and say exactly what item you need today, such as a walker, wheelchair, bedside commode, or shower chair.
• If a hospital or rehab discharge is happening now, ask for the discharge planner or social worker before you leave and do not assume the equipment problem will fix itself later.
• If you are on Maui, check the Maui Medical Loan Closet right away; if you are on another island, ask your county aging office for the closest same-day loan, reuse, rental, or vendor option.

Quick help box

• Start statewide: Call the Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center at 808-643-2372.
• Search current listings: Use Hawaii AT4All for items listed for loan, giveaway, sale, or demonstration.
• Maui County: Check the free Maui Medical Loan Closet.
• Kauai: Call the Agency on Elderly Affairs at 808-241-4470 and ask whether donated equipment is available for loan.
• Hawaii Island: Call the Hawaii County Office of Aging at 808-961-8626 and ask about the Waikoloa Loan Closet or the closest current option.
• Oahu: Call the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division at 808-768-7700 and ask whether St. Francis Home Modification Services or another local source fits your need.

What this help is and what it is not

What this help is: A DME loan closet or reuse program gives out or lends donated equipment that someone else no longer needs. In Hawaii, that usually means basic mobility and bath-safety items like walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, bedside commodes, canes, and crutches.

What this help is not: It is not the same thing as Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage. Insurance usually needs a doctor’s order, an approved supplier, and sometimes prior approval. A community loan closet is based on donated stock, so the item may be used, limited, or unavailable the day you ask.

Quick facts

• No single statewide public DME bank: Hawaii help is local and island-by-island.
• Best first call: The Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center is the state’s one-stop help system.
• Best statewide equipment search: Hawaii AT4All lets you search items listed for loan, giveaway, sale, or demo.
• Best coverage help: Hawaii SHIP helps with Medicare questions about DME coverage.
• Same-day help usually means calling: Do not rely only on web forms if a discharge or fall risk is happening now.

The best statewide starting points

Situation	Best Hawaii starting point	Why it matters	Contact
I do not know where to start	Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center	Connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to local options statewide.	808-643-2372
I want to try equipment before buying	ATRC Device Lending	Free loans of up to three devices for up to six weeks; waitlists can happen.	808-532-7110
I want to search current listings	Hawaii AT4All	Shows items listed for loan, giveaway, sale, or demonstration by different programs and users.	Online search
I have Medicare coverage questions	Hawaii SHIP	Free, local Medicare counseling for coverage, supplier, and billing questions.	808-586-7299 or 1-888-875-9229
I think a denial was wrong	Protection and Advocacy for Individuals in Need of Assistive Technology (PAAT)	Can help when assistive technology funding is wrongly denied by Medicaid, Medicare, schools, or insurers.	Statewide website help
I need to rent or buy as a backup	Hawaii licensed DME supplier list	Official list of suppliers licensed by the Office of Health Care Assurance.	Online list

Best first call: The Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center is the state’s “no wrong door” system. Its online help form says the local ADRC will contact you within three business days, so call instead of waiting if the need is urgent.

Best statewide equipment program: The Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii are Hawaii’s statewide assistive technology program. ATRC is very useful, but it is not a full medical-equipment closet. ATRC says its reuse program does not accept power wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAPs or other respiratory equipment, or medical equipment generally. Still, ATRC’s lending library and Hawaii AT4All search are among the best statewide tools Hawaii seniors can use.

Best complaint and coverage routes: Use Hawaii SHIP for Medicare questions. If Medicare was billed for equipment you did not receive, the Executive Office on Aging says Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii helps spot and report that kind of problem. If an assistive-technology denial seems wrong, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center PAAT program is a strong backup.

What Hawaii actually offers, by island and county

Area	Most useful local lead	What stands out	Contact
Maui County	Maui Medical Loan Closet	Free online inventory; pickup is usually faster than delivery; good for basic DME.	808-276-1791
Kauai	Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs resource directory	The county says donated medical equipment and supplies may be available for loan.	808-241-4470
Hawaii Island	Hawaii County resource directory	Lists the Waikoloa Loan Closet for walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and more.	Start with HCOA: 808-961-8626
Oahu	Honolulu senior handbook plus St. Francis	The official county handbook points more to coverage help, social workers, and suppliers than to one public closet.	EAD: 808-768-7700; St. Francis: 808-547-6500

Maui County

Maui is the clearest public reuse option in Hawaii. The Maui Medical Loan Closet has a real online inventory and says each item is free. The site says delivery may be possible, but pickup in Central Maui is usually faster. It also says to return the equipment when you no longer need it, and to reach out if the item you need is not listed. The program grew out of the August 8, 2023 wildfire response and commonly mentions wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, and other basic DME.

Extra Maui detail that many guides miss: The Maui County resource directory also lists portable wheelchair-ramp contacts through Gammie Home Care, Hospice Maui, and Hospice Hawaii’s Molokai and Lanai offices. If your real problem is getting in and out of the house, that may matter more than the walker itself.

Kauai

Kauai’s official county directory is unusually direct. The Agency on Elderly Affairs resource directory says donated medical equipment and supplies are available for loan and tells residents to call to see whether the item is available. That wording matters. It means stock is limited and changes fast. Do not assume the county has the exact walker or wheelchair you need until someone checks.

If the county does not have it, use the same Kauai ADRC office to ask for the next-best path. ATRC is the statewide assistive-technology backup, and licensed suppliers are the practical fallback if the item is too specialized for reuse.

Hawaii Island

On the Big Island, start with the Hawaii County Office of Aging. The county’s resource directory lists the Waikoloa Loan Closet in Waikoloa Village and says it lends or accepts donations of walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and more. That is helpful for West Hawaii, but it is not a statewide warehouse.

If you live in Hilo, Puna, Ka‘u, or Hamakua, call HCOA first instead of driving across the island on a guess. The same county directory also lists transportation resources, including HCEOC and Hele-On Kakoo paratransit, which may help you reach a pickup site if the item fits your ride.

Oahu

Oahu is the hardest island to summarize because the official path is less “loan closet” and more “coverage plus local coordination.” In the current Honolulu Kūpuna Information & Assistance Handbook, the county points readers to Medicare, Hawaii SHIP, social workers, and supplier searches rather than highlighting one county-run public DME closet.

For some home-safety and basic mobility needs, St. Francis Home Modification Services says it provides canes, walkers, and wheelchairs at no cost for eligible seniors age 70 and older. If that does not fit your situation, the best Oahu route is usually the Honolulu ADRC/Elderly Affairs Division, a hospital or clinic social worker, ATRC, or the official licensed supplier list. Oahu families should also know that St. Francis transportation is available for eligible seniors age 60 and older, which may help you get to an appointment or pickup site.

What equipment is commonly available in Hawaii reuse programs

Usually easier to find: canes, crutches, walkers, standard wheelchairs, shower chairs, transfer benches, bedside commodes, and raised toilet seats.

Sometimes available, but less predictable: bath chairs, portable ramps, and other basic safety items.

Usually harder to find: hospital beds, power wheelchairs, specialty seating, and respiratory gear. ATRC’s own reuse page says it does not accept power wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAPs or other respiratory equipment, or medical equipment generally. In real life, those harder items often have to come through a doctor, hospice, or a licensed supplier instead of a community closet.

How loans usually work in Hawaii

Most Hawaii reuse programs are small and donation-based. That means first come, first served, no guaranteed stock, and different rules on every island. Maui says items are free and should be returned when no longer needed. ATRC’s formal device-lending program allows up to three devices for up to six weeks. Kauai tells callers to check what is available before coming in. The safest assumption is simple: call ahead, confirm the item is there, and ask what paperwork or pickup plan is required.

What to ask before pickup

• Is this free, or is it a loan? Ask whether it must be returned and when.
• Was it cleaned and checked? Ask whether brakes, tips, wheels, armrests, and footrests are present and working.
• Will it fit the person? Ask about seat width, height, weight limits, and whether a therapist recommended a specific style.
• Will it fit the home? Measure doorways, bathroom space, car trunk space, and any steps.
• Is delivery available? If not, ask whether the item folds, comes apart, or needs two people to load.
• Who do I call if something is missing or unsafe? Get a name and number before you leave.

Transportation, delivery, and rural Hawaii problems

In Hawaii, the hardest part is often getting the item home. The Maui Medical Loan Closet says it will try to deliver, but pickup is usually faster. The Hawaii County directory lists HCEOC transportation and Hele-On Kakoo paratransit. On Oahu, St. Francis transportation may help eligible seniors get where they need to go. Large items are a different problem. Always ask whether the item folds, how much it weighs, and whether someone can help load it.

If you live in a rural area: Start with the county aging office, not the closet itself. Ask three questions: Is there a closer option? Can a supplier deliver? Is a short-term rental safer than a long drive for used equipment? That question matters on Molokai, Lanai, Hana, Ka‘u, Hamakua, and other areas where geography can be the real barrier.

What to do first

• Call the Hawaii ADRC or your county aging office.
• Name the exact item you need, not just “medical equipment.”
• Ask whether there is a free loan, a reuse option, or a rental backup nearby.
• Check Hawaii AT4All for current listings.
• If discharge is involved, ask the hospital social worker to help arrange the equipment path.
• If coverage may apply, call Hawaii SHIP before paying out of pocket.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ The exact item needed: walker, rollator, shower chair, wheelchair, commode, or ramp
• ☐ Height, weight, and any seat-width or transfer needs
• ☐ Whether the need is short-term or likely long-term
• ☐ Any doctor, therapist, or hospital recommendation
• ☐ Home details such as stairs, narrow doors, or tub access
• ☐ Who can pick up the item and what vehicle is available
• ☐ Insurance status, if you also want to pursue covered equipment

Reality checks

• Stock changes fast: A closet may have three walkers today and none tomorrow.

• Free does not always mean delivered: Pickup is often the real hurdle in Hawaii.

• Fit matters: A free wheelchair that is the wrong size can be unsafe.

• Borrow now, apply later: A temporary loan does not replace pursuing the right long-term equipment through insurance if you qualify.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until discharge day to ask about equipment
• Driving across an island without confirming the item is in stock
• Confusing a community loan closet with Medicare or Medicaid coverage
• Accepting equipment without checking brakes, tips, wheels, and fit
• Assuming a borrowed item is safe for long-term use without clinical advice

What to do if the first path does not work

• Ask for a second and third option. County aging offices often know more than one local route.
• Search Hawaii AT4All. It can show listings from programs, businesses, and individuals.
• Ask a social worker, rehab clinic, home health agency, or hospice. They often know the current local workarounds.
• Use the official licensed supplier list. A short-term rental may be the safest bridge.
• Use backup funding routes. If reuse fails, ATRC’s AT Funding Guide includes private and national funding leads for mobility and daily-living equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hawaii have one statewide DME loan closet?

No. Hawaii’s best statewide starting points are the ADRC, ATRC, and Hawaii AT4All, but actual reuse help is county-by-county. Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island, and Oahu each work differently.

What is the fastest free option in Maui County?

Usually the Maui Medical Loan Closet. It has a public site, a live inventory, free items, and says pickup is usually faster than delivery.

Can Kauai seniors really borrow donated equipment from the county?

The current Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs resource directory says donated medical equipment and supplies are available for loan. The key phrase is “call to see if what you need is available,” so stock is not guaranteed.

Is ATRC the same thing as a medical equipment closet?

No. ATRC is Hawaii’s statewide assistive-technology program. Its device lending program lets people borrow up to three devices for up to six weeks, but ATRC’s reuse program says it does not accept power wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAPs or other respiratory equipment, or medical equipment generally.

What if I need a hospital bed or power wheelchair?

Those items are harder to find through community reuse in Hawaii. Ask the discharge planner, doctor, or therapist whether the item should come through insurance, hospice, or a licensed supplier. Use the official Hawaii supplier list if reuse does not work.

What should Oahu families do if they cannot find a public loan closet?

Start with the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division, Hawaii SHIP, and the hospital or clinic social worker. For some seniors age 70 and older, St. Francis Home Modification Services may help with basic assistive devices like canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.

What if Medicare, Medicaid, or a private plan denies equipment?

Get the denial reason in writing. If Medicare is involved, call Hawaii SHIP. If you have Hawaii Medicaid, contact your Med-QUEST plan or case manager. If assistive-technology funding seems wrongly denied, try the Hawaii Disability Rights Center PAAT program. If Medicare was billed for equipment you did not receive, contact Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii.

Can I donate used equipment in Hawaii?

Yes, but call first. The Maui Medical Loan Closet accepts DME donations. ATRC accepts assistive technology, but its reuse page says it does not accept power wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAPs or other respiratory equipment, or medical equipment generally. County and community programs may accept basics if they are clean, complete, and safe.

Resumen en español

En Hawái, no parece existir un solo programa estatal público para prestar equipo médico duradero. El mejor primer paso es llamar al Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center o revisar el programa de Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii. Si vive en Maui County, el Maui Medical Loan Closet suele ser la opción comunitaria más rápida para sillas de ruedas, andadores y otros artículos básicos. Si vive en Kauai, la Agency on Elderly Affairs dice en su directorio oficial que a veces tiene equipo donado disponible para préstamo.

En la isla de Hawaii, empiece con la Hawaii County Office of Aging y pregunte por el Waikoloa Loan Closet. En Oahu, muchas familias necesitan combinar la ayuda del Honolulu ADRC, St. Francis y proveedores con licencia. Antes de recoger cualquier artículo, pregunte si está limpio, completo, del tamaño correcto y si hay entrega o recogida. Si Medicare o su seguro niegan el equipo, pida ayuda a Hawaii SHIP o al programa PAAT del Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including the Hawaii Aging & Disability Resource Center, ATRC, county aging offices and resource directories, Hawaii SHIP, the Office of Health Care Assurance supplier list, St. Francis Healthcare System, and the Maui Medical Loan Closet.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency, office, utility, facility, or program guidance. Individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 10, 2026, next review August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only, not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, utility policies, complaint routes, and program rules can change. Confirm current details directly with the official office or provider before acting.