Turnabout was fair play at Lanakila Senior Center today.

Political candidates asking for support were asked to support the center that is in dire need of funding.

This was a chance for the candidates to get up close and personal with the members of the Lanakila Senior Center. While there are many issues on hand to discuss, seniors were most concerned about keeping the center open.

"Without Lanakila, so many of us will have no place to go even if it's just once a week, we really love this place, it really does a lot for us," explained Punchbowl resident Nancy Matsunaga.

There are more than two thousand seniors who rely on the many programs Lanakila has to offer. Catholic Charities Hawaii, which manages the center, says the state has cut off the funding, leaving it about one hundred thousand dollars short come January.

"We're trying to get the state to at least fund half the center as they have been doing or a quarter way, whatever they can cause without a state contract we also lost eh building," said Stella Wong of Catholic Charities Hawaii.

And that has many of the seniors here feeling nervous. This has been a favorite gathering place to meet old friends as well as make new ones. And they know how important it is for them to stay active. So they made sure that candidates were well informed.

"I want the politicians to remember that they too are gonna be seniors sometime and have to have activities like this and the funding which they have cut off really gonna hurt," explained Harry Nakasone of Kalihi.

The lack of funding could also shut down another popular program for the elderly. Meals On Wheels delivers hot meals to homebound seniors as well senior centers.

"We have to eat, hunger can't go on vacation you know," said Esther Ramones of Kalihi.

Advocates for the elderly point out that by keeping these centers open, the state will save money in the long run by keeping seniors active and healthy.