Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset steering committee organizing Hawai‘i’s first Men’s Sheds (L– R): Jerome Taniyama, Jonathan Okabe, Doug Kam-Young, Glenn Sears, Win Schoneman and David Talbert
Men’s Sheds began in Australia 10 years ago. The nonprofit is a communal version of the old-fashioned backyard shed where a man could tinker with his tools. Thousands of Men’s Sheds in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and Finland belong to the international association, but every group is unique. Its members decide what they want to do: woodwork, metalwork, gardening, bicycle repair, cooking or bookbinding. The thing that all sheds provide is a safe, comfortable place for older men to congregate, talk and work shoulder-to-shoulder.
It might appear that a shed is just a place to work, but it is much more. Older men tend not to socialize, are reluctant to do anything new and often ignore their health. When hearing and memory start to go, it is easy to just tune out. Friends from work are not as available; old buddies move away or pass on. The Men’s Sheds is a way to reverse the slide into isolation.
Mens Sheds Honolulu members (L– R): Jonathan Okabe, Jerry Tanyama, Doug Kam-Young, Glenn Sears, Jim Hoban and Leon Bower
We opened the first Men’s Sheds in Honolulu and are looking for a few good (old) men. We gather on Thursdays from 10am until 4pm. Hours and days will expand with membership. “If this sounds like something fun for you or for a friend, give Glenn a call for details. Come by, take a look, have a cup of coffee and talk story.
HAWAI‘I MEN’S SHEDS ASSOCIATION
Glenn Sears | 808-373-6140
Hi fellow Shedders,
I am the Secretary of Helensburgh Men’s Shed in NSW Australia and I am visiting Hawaii from Jan 27 – Feb 3 with Christian Surfers Old Salts. We would love to visit your shed.
Awesome want start one in Waianae a lot older men need a feel useful who have who have a lifetime of skills
I just realized that there were comments on Generations. Yes, we would really like to to see a Shed in Waianai. Contact me at GSears@Stanfordalumni.org or text me at 8083736140
Congratulations Glen for your insight to introduce Men’s Shed to USA.
I am sure the concept of Men’s Sheds will flourish thought USA when the concept is recognised for the tremendous benefit it is to the lonely, single, disadvantaged, and generally for the men wishing to connect with others to do what would have been done in their own back yard shed but through circumstance no longer exists. Australia started the movement which is going viral through out the world. I hope you and the Rotary movement will run with the introduction, advertising and start up more sheds in the USA.