Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall

You could feel the excitement and electricity in the center of Windward Mall in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, on Friday, May 19, when Generations Magazine held our first “Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall” since January 2020. There were six rows of Generations partners, offering their services, knowledge and experience. Everyone brought their wealth of information and welcomed attendees, who were able to speak one-to-one with professionals in the many fields serving kūpuna and their families.

Sustainable Transitions in Gerontology

The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS), is thrilled to announce its 2023 biennial conference from September 7–8 following the success of its virtual conference in 2021.Designed for a diverse audience that includes kūpuna practitioners in the health and human service fields, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations serving kūpuna, HPGS extends a warm invitation to its two-day event at the Ala Moana Hotel.

Carl “Kini Popo” Hebenstreit, 1929-2022

Carl “Kini Popo” Hebenstreit was well past retirement age when he made the decision to launch Generations Hawai‘i, which he described as “one of the happiest and most satisfying activities” of his life. “There is a need for it. That’s been a Trade [Media Hui] DNA tag since [1954],” when the original parent company of Generations was founded, he explained in an email to a colleague in 2006. Even then, at the age of 77 himself, Carl could tell the Great Silver Wave was nowhere near its crest.

10-Digit Dialing Starts in October

Starting this October, you’ll have to dial “808” with all phone numbers you call in Hawai‘i. It seems easy, right? But the change could lead to complications. Starting Oct. 24, 2021, all calls — including those on the same island — must be dialed using 10 digits or the call will not go through.

MDX Lends a Hand to OurKupuna.com

OurKupuna.com is a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit that started in March 2020 in response to the global pandemic and its impact on the state’s seniors. In the face of this adversity, the group envisioned a Hawai‘i where all kūpuna have food security and access to essentials. Through grants and donations, the organization has made great strides in helping Hawai‘i’s aging population.

Hawai‘i Honors Its Senior Volunteers

Every May during National Older Americans Month, Hawai‘i’s four county Area Agencies on Aging recognize seniors from each county for their volunteer accomplishments. This year’s national theme was Communities of Strength. Each county received nominations from the public for Outstanding Older Americans. A man and a woman were chosen from each county.

How to Navigate Travel Requirements & Restrictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Whether traveling interisland or out of the state, you will first need to set up your Safe Travels account at www.travel.hawaii.gov before your arrival to Hawai‘i. You will then need to get a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) or NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) from a State of Hawai‘i-approved testing site within 72 hours prior to your arrival. Most results take up to 48 hours, so you will want to take that into account when scheduling your test.

Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 Vaccination Information

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH) is moving forward with its implementation of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Points of dispensing (PODs) are open across the state for the initial phases of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
As Hawai‘i continues to receive more vaccine, dosages are being distributed to vaccination PODs throughout the islands as quickly as possible.

Transforming At-Home Care

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health systems to rethink how to effectively manage preventive care and chronic diseases when regular in-person visits are challenging, and patients are  apprehensive of conducting telehealth visits. With many adults across the county delaying preventive care, and with six in 10 having at least one chronic condition, regular health management is a matter of life and death, with added COVID-19 risks.

Help Is On The Way During COVID-19

With the reopening of the state after shutdowns mandated by local government in recent months, kūpuna and other vulnerable people have become more fearful of venturing out into the community to shop and run errands as the coronavirus continues to spread with more people out in public. The demand for food, supplies and assistance has grown in response to unemployment. An increasing number of kūpuna say they do not have sufficient resources to feed themselves.

Survey Says: Seniors Arenʻt Ready to Age

An AARP survey of Hawai‘i residents age 50 years old and over shows a gap between the importance they place on health and financial security and their confidence in meeting those needs. More than 9 out of 10 older residents in Hawai‘i say staying healthy, mentally sharp and having adequate health insurance coverage are extremely or very important to them. Yet only 3 out of 10 say they have everything they need relative to these concerns.

Nā Tūtū – Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

For generations grandparents in Hawai‘i have helped raise their grandchildren while the parents worked the farms or harvested the crops. While things changed in modern Hawai‘i, the tradition continued as busy parents headed off to work, grandparents often took the grandchildren to school or after school activities. And, by the late ’90s, many grandparents found themselves caring for their grandchildren on a full time, 24/7 basis.

Lanakila, a Place to Thrive

Given the rapidly growing senior populace, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i remains dedicated to creating and providing services that keep seniors engaged and independent. Services include case management, transportation, chore and housekeeping, affordable housing, respite for caregivers, socialization and volunteer opportunities.

Senior Tuition

SECOH, a private, not-for-profit provider of adult day care services, is offering tuition assistance to individuals 65 and older who are in need of but can’t afford out-of-home Adult Day Care services. The tuition assistance is made possible by a generous grant from the May Templeton Hopper Fund administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

US Commissaries Open to 3M More Vets

On Jan. 1, 2020, 15,000-plus veterans in Hawai‘i — a “high cost area”— became eligible to shop in military stores. Commissaries have low prices and no state tax. Commissaries are like big box stores — some brands may be missing, but they carry almost everything you need. (Note that you will pay an additional fee if you use a credit card, so use cash if you can.)

Honorees Take a Stand Against Falls

More than 9,950 injuries from falls occur annually among seniors statewide. Each year, the Hawai‘i Fall Prevention Consortium (HFPC) identifies individuals with passionate dedication to reducing the number and severity of injuries from falls among seniors and honors their efforts to promote fall prevention initiatives in the state.

2020 Census Forms Will Be Available Online

Every 10 years, the U.S. government embarks on the herculean task of counting every person in the country. An accurate decennial census count is important in order to allocate more than $675 billion in federal  funds annually for community programs and services, such as healthcare services for the elderly, education programs, housing and community development, and job training. For example, in federal Fiscal Year 2016, Hawai‘i received over $3.6 billion from 55 different federal programs, including nearly $1.5 billion in Medicaid funding.

Thoughts on Aging

Hawai‘i is generally a retirement-friendly state. Taxation of retirement income is relatively benign. Our warm climate and surrounding ocean allow ample opportunities for year-round outdoor exercise and connecting with nature. Our culture is generally inclusive and promotes venues for social interaction. All of these factors form a foundation for a thriving senior population that can enjoy fulfillment and longevity. The key is recognizing the treasure trove and taking full advantage of it.

Partnering for a Better Senior Community

To better serve Hawai‘i’s senior community, Generations Magazine held a networking event for its partners on Sept. 17 at 15 Craigside, where a delicious breakfast was provided, thanks to Kind2Kūpuna and Margaret Wong of Copeland Insurance Group. Generations Magazine partners met, greeted and learned about each other, making contacts with those who support and serve kūpuna and their families.

50 Years of Transplantation in Hawai‘i

On Aug. 9, 1969, a surgical team headed by Dr. Livingston Wong performed the first kidney transplant at St. Francis Hospital. Since then, more than 2,300 lives in Hawai‘i have been saved and transformed by organ transplants. To celebrate this remarkable milestone and the man whose vision drove it forward, St. Francis Healthcare System hosted a special event on Aug. 7 at its Liliha Campus.

Time to Honor the 100th Battalion

Punchbowl was once used as a lookout for Hawaiian warriors. Now, it’s one of only two national memorial cemeteries in the USA — the other is Arlington, Virginia. It is the final resting place for those that have courageously served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For the 14th year, the 100th Infantry Battalion Club 100 members invite the public to help decorate 1,000 heroes’ graves with flowers Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 to 11am.

The Plaza at Kaneohe Opens This Summer

The Plaza at Kaneohe, The Plaza Assisted Living’s sixth location, is undergoing construction with an anticipated opening in Summer 2019. In line with its other locations, The Plaza at Kaneohe embraces the concept of familiar faces in familiar neighborhoods, believing that people want to reside in a community that they grew up in, raised their kids, or where their adult children currently live.

Help us Sew a Lei for Memorial Day!

Each year the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is honored to help organize the Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly known as “Punchbowl” or Pūowaina. This year the ceremony marks the 70th year under the tutelage of the City and County of Honolulu, and will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019.

New Support for UH-Mānoa Athletes

If you attend any sports events involving the University of Hawai‘i’s Rainbow Warriors or Wahine, it soon becomes obvious that local kūpuna are among their most avid supporters. From attending home games, to donating to booster clubs, to picking thousands of flowers to make lei for the Women’s Volleyball Team, Hawai‘i’s seniors are with the athletes every step of the way.

WANTED: Election Day Volunteers

The Office of Elections and county clerks of Hawai’i are looking for volunteers to help conduct the 2018 General Election on Tuesday, November 6.
More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to fill various positions on Election Day which include assisting voters at the polling place, transporting election materials and supplies, and resolving inquiries from the control center.

YMCA Health & Fitness Day at Kahala Mall

The YMCA’s National Senior Health & Fitness Day was enjoyed by many on Wednesday, May 30th, at the Kahala Mall. The YMCA thanked the Kahala Mall and Generations Magazine for their co-sponsorship of the day. A number of nonprofit organizations participated, as well as more than 30 Generations partners, who offered valuable information to seniors and their families.

Annual Senior Classic Games

The day was a little cloudy, with soft winds — perfect for 87 teams of seniors ranging in age from 55 to 93 years old. After the competition, score cards were tallied and medals were presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the Senior (55 to 74) and Master (75 and over) divisions. For the past few years, Generations Magazine has paid for all the medals, which are always well received. First-place winners also received a soda-cap ribbon lei made by the founder of the Senior Classic Games, retired Hālawa complex supervisor Herbert Yasuhara.

DANA is a Joy!

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