There is an informative event taking place at the State Capitol Friday, March 14.

The full name for it is the Family Caregiver Awareness Day and Resource Fair. It's the third time the fair has been organized at the Capitol.

"We have more than 50 different exhibitors from different agencies that will be there to show family caregivers the type of services that are available to them in the community," said Lyn Moku, from the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition.

The organizations run the gamut - from AARP to Project Dana, an ecumenical non-profit providing care and assistance for the home-bound elderly.

"Not as many as we would like to see and I think part of that problem is most family caregivers don't self-identify as a family caregiver. That's one of the reasons why this family resource fair is so important," said Moku.

Moku says the reason family caregivers don't think of themselves as Caregivers is because they are taking care of a relative, someone in the family. But the fact that they could USE the resources makes it important for people to learn more about them.

"There are some respite facilities out there, but there are day care services, support groups, you may not think is very important but a support group for caregivers is very important," said Moku.

Finally, Moku says, there is a compelling reason for family caregivers to come the capitol tomorrow...to pay a visit to their representative or senator.

"And talk to them about what they're going through as caregivers and what their needs are and what they really want help with from their legislators," said Moku.

The Family caregiver resource fair runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. tomorrow with a rally in the rotunda at 1 p.m.