The stereotypical grandparents, spend a few hours with the little ones from time to time.

Then it's off for a walk or tap dancing on stage at Ala Moana.

But the fact is, more and more grandparents are virtually full time caregivers for their grandchildren. And it's not easy.


Kaui Castillo from the Liliuokalani Children's Center says, "Basically many of them are financially on a fixed income. They also don't have as much energy as they had when they were raising their children."


Whether the grandchildren are tots or teens, looking after them is a different matter than it was a generation ago.

"Drugs are another thing that is different than when they raised their own children, the complexity of technology today is another one and they're always asking for respite because it's very energy-draining," says Castillo. She works with families on the Garden Isle, and says there are resources available.

"Well, we try to encourage them to look at support. We also do run two support groups presently with Child and Family Services throughout the island. So there's a monthly support group."

It's estimated that 13 percent of grandchildren are primarily cared for by their grandparents.

That's why the childrens center and other sponsors are holding the Ohana Caregivers Conference on Kauai October 26.

We wondered if there is a higher percentage of grandparents providing care on neighbor islands.

Castillo says, "I think possibly because families and communities are a bit closer, however I think it's nationwide."

And the situation is likely to continue for some time.