Meet The Team | Senior Helpers of Honolulu Past main navigation Contact Us

Meet the Moanalua-Honolulu office

More than 90% of seniors want to be able to age in their own home with dignity but getting the right type of care can seem daunting.  At Senior Helpers of Honolulu we believe that getting the best care for your loved ones should not be complicated.  We recognize the growing need for in-home care services, and with our passion for helping others, we are committed to delivering the best possible care to seniors in the Honolulu community. 

We take the opportunity to provide care in your home seriously and make it a priority to provide the highest level of client service possible.  We have built an exceptional team of care professionals, each committed to remaining at the forefront of the in-home care industry through our proprietary ongoing training and education programs. You can feel confident that your loved one is in good hands with Senior Helpers.

Our History

Senior Helpers was founded in 2002 by Tony Bonacuse with the help of Peter Ross after their firsthand experience in caring for their respective family members. Tony and Peter identified a need that was not being filled properly by the other companies.  They realized that most seniors would prefer to age in their own home rather than move into an unfamiliar institution.  Unfortunately, the options available to most seniors were very limited.  Most seniors did not have access to well-trained, dependable and accessible in-home care. This was the mission-driven spark that started Senior Helpers. 

The first office opened in Baltimore, Maryland, and quickly developed a reputation for delivering excellent in-home senior care with their well-trained staff of professional caregivers. Based on the success of the Baltimore location, the company began to expand.  For more than 20 years, the Senior Helpers family has grown to include a network of more than 300 locally owned and operated franchises across the United States. 

Senior Helpers of Honolulu was proud to join the system in 2021.  Like every other owner, we too are fully-committed to the original goal of providing dependable and accessible in-home care with well-trained caregivers. Nothing is more important to us than being the best available resource for seniors and families in our community.  We are lucky to serve hundreds of seniors in our community, and we are committed to continuing to provide uncompromising levels of care to all our families.

Our process

Our process

The first step in the process is a complimentary, initial in-home care assessment with a Senior Helpers consultant.  This assessment can help you understand the true needs of your loved one, and your options. Together we can discuss their needs, our senior care services and determine what’s best for your entire family.

We will cover:

  • Your family's specific goals
  • Your loved one's daily plan design and schedule
  • Pricing and payment methods
  •  Implementation process
  • Ongoing communication and follow-up plan

Senior Helpers of Honolulu is Age-Friendly Care at Home Certified

Senior Helpers of Honolulu is Age-Friendly Care at Home Certified

Senior Helpers of Honolulu is Age-Friendly Care at Home Certified

Senior Helpers of Honolulu is proud to be Age-Friendly Care at Home certified by Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). The first-of-its-kind certification was created to help meet the demand for high-quality care for older adults and showcases companies that use all-encompassing, person-centered care to address the unique needs of every individual. The focus is on the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility), a research-backed and evidence-based approach to care.

Learn More About Age-Friendly Care

Meet the Moanalua-Honolulu Team

Jenny Cambra

Jenny Cambra

Owner

After more than a decade in the hospitality industry, Jenny Cambra founded Senior Helpers Honolulu with a vision of helping seniors age safely and comfortably in the place they call home. Originally from Beijing, China, Jenny moved to Oahu in 2016, where her passion for serving others inspired her to become an entrepreneur.

Her decision to open Senior Helpers was deeply personal. Having witnessed the challenges her own family faced while caring for grandparents living with dementia, Jenny understands the importance of providing compassionate support, trusted guidance, and personalized care that allows seniors to remain independent at home.

As Owner, Jenny oversees the company's strategic direction, operations, and team development while ensuring every client and family receives exceptional service. She is passionate about building a culture rooted in compassion, accountability, and excellence. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys hiking with her husband, Chad, spending time with their dogs, Miso and Seven, cooking, and volunteering in the community.

Vanessa Kilway, MSW

Vanessa Kilway, MSW

Client Service Manager

Vanessa brings nearly a decade of experience in clinical social work and human services to her role as Client Service Manager at Senior Helpers Honolulu. With a strong background in working with older adults, families, healthcare professionals, and community resource partners, Vanessa is driven by the desire to assist families in navigating care with compassion, clarity, and confidence.

Throughout her career, Vanessa has worked across numerous settings that serve the geriatric population including: skilled nursing facilities, inpatient healthcare systems, outpatient primary care, short-term rehabilitation, and community-based agencies. Her experience includes care coordination, discharge planning, family support and advocacy, as well as resources and referral management.

Vanessa holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University, as well as an undergraduate degree in human development across the lifespan and various certifications including Certified Case Manager. She is passionate about nurturing her ability to build meaningful relationships, communicate effectively, and approach each person and family with empathy and cultural sensitivity.

As Client Service Manager, Vanessa works closely with our clients, families, caregivers, and office team to ensure each client receives thoughtful, personalized support and a positive experience throughout their journey with Senior Helpers Honolulu. She takes pride in playing a role in helping older adults remain safe and independent in their homes for as long as possible through the implementation of evidence-based holistic wellness plans and hands-on tangible support measures.

Vanessa is fluent in Spanish and proud to bring her diverse professional expertise and heart for serving others to our Hawaiʻi community. As a military spouse, she understands firsthand the importance of adaptability, connection, and having a strong support system in order to effectively thrive at any stage of life. Outside of work, she is a proud fur mom to her 15-year-old pup, Nole, and three cats. She recharges through self-care in the form of being in-tune with nature through outdoor excursions, culinary endeavors and adventures and ample travel abroad. She also enjoys reading educational material, staying active through group fitness classes and spending too much time at Costco or thrift stores.

Fiona Kimani

Fiona Kimani

Office Manager

Fiona Kimani joined Senior Helpers Honolulu as Office Manager with a genuine passion for helping others. Originally from Kenya, Fiona’s love for caregiving began when she cared for her beloved grandmother. She later worked as a CNA and in caregiver recruitment and onboarding with Senior Helpers of Laurel, Maryland.

Fiona enjoys getting to know seniors and their families, understanding their needs, and helping make their care journey a little easier. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family—her husband and children—traveling, discovering new cultures, and visiting historical places.

Mary Anne

Mary Anne

Care Support Specialist

Mary Anne began her journey with Senior Helpers Honolulu in 2022 as a Personal Care Aide and has since grown into the role of Care Support Specialist. Her hands-on caregiving experience gives her a unique understanding of both clients' needs and the support caregivers need to succeed.

In her role, Mary Anne conducts supervisory visits, supports caregivers in the field, assists with care coordination, and helps ensure every client receives compassionate, high-quality care. She is dedicated to helping seniors age with dignity while providing families with confidence and peace of mind.

A devoted mother of three, Mary Anne believes caring for others is more than a profession - it's a calling. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and supporting her children as they pursue their dreams.

Syvel

Syvel

Scheduling Coordinator

Compassion, resilience, and family are the values that guide Syvel both personally and professionally. Originally from the Philippines, she brings those values to her role as Scheduling Coordinator at Senior Helpers Honolulu.

As Scheduling Coordinator, Syvel oversees caregiver scheduling, coordinates client services, and responds quickly to changing care needs to help ensure families receive dependable, uninterrupted care. She works closely with clients, families, and caregivers to create schedules that balance quality care with caregiver availability, always striving to provide a seamless experience.

Outside of work, Syvel enjoys spending time with her husband and children, playing badminton, and traveling together to create lasting memories.

As Featured on KITV4 Island News

As Featured on KITV4 Island News

Senior Helpers of Honolulu was recently featured on KITV 4 Island News for our holiday outreach efforts supporting local kūpuna during the Christmas season. The segment highlighted how our caregivers and team members help bring companionship, comfort, and meaningful moments to seniors, especially during the holidays when connection matters most.

We’re honored to care for kūpuna in our community and grateful to KITV 4 Island News for sharing this story.

Watch Video
Jenny Cambra Featured on the Home Care Strategy Lab Podcast

Jenny Cambra Featured on the Home Care Strategy Lab Podcast

We’re excited to share that our owner, Jenny Cambra, was recently featured on the Home Care Strategy Lab Podcast in a special conversation recorded live at the Home Care Association of America conference.

In this 15-minute interview, Jenny discusses her unique journey from hospitality to home care, how her personal experience with dementia shaped her mission, and why investing in caregivers is central to delivering exceptional service. She also highlights Senior Helpers of Honolulu’s commitment to transparency, safety, ongoing reassessments, and long-term goals—including pursuing CHAP certification in 2026.

Watch Video

I want to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the superb work Diane did for Dad while he was in the hospital. She was punctual, personable, and dedicated. She helped my Dad immensely during a difficult time for him. Her calm manner and brilliant smile worked magic. My Dad’s attitude changed completely for the better after her first visit. Thank you so much for giving us Diane. She really is a remarkable person and very caring.
 

Areas We Serve

Senior Helpers of Moanalua-Honolulu provides a full range of senior home care services for you or your loved one—from companionship and light housework help, to more complex care services, including disease management,  and 24-hour care services.