Kealii Lopez, State Director, AARP Hawaii
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Cryptocurrency ATM Scams
The latest scam tool that international criminal gangs use to take money from kūpuna is likely in your neighborhood supermarket or convenience store. Bitcoin ATMs, which look similar to bank ATMs, have become commonplace sitting next to regular ATMs, alongside the DMV registration machine and video rental box. There are nearly 100 of them in…
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Medicare, Medicaid & ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) that was signed into law this summer is big; it’s complicated and hard to explain in a short article. But know this: Most of the changes don’t take effect until 2027, so there should be time to learn how it may affect you and figure out how those who…
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Averting Hawai‘i’s Caregiver Crisis
The findings of a recent Columbia University study—that Hawai‘i is a high-risk state for a family caregiver shortage—should come as no surprise to the estimated 154,000 family caregivers who reside here. AARP estimates that Hawai‘i’s family caregivers put in 144 million hours of unpaid care a year to loved ones in Hawai‘i. If they were…
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Developing Disaster Resiliency
Even before the Lahaina fire of August, 2023, Evelyn Lane, 67, was concerned about what would happen if a natural disaster struck the Kahuku Elderly Hauoli Hale senior and disabled low-income housing project that she lives in. Who will help them if a fire broke out in the forested area near the complex? What if…
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AARP Honorees
The Feeding Our Keiki and Kupuna program by the Peace Committee of the Honoka‘a Hongwanji began as an effort to feed about two dozen children in a small Hawai‘i Island town. Miles Okumura and Lynn Higashi, retired attorneys, noticed children in their community who were going hungry. “We started off with the keiki and when…
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Caregivers Need Paid Family Leave
Lenore from Kāne‘ohe fears that one day she must choose between caring for her mother and her job and financial security. “There will come a time when Mom needs more care and supervision and it is costly to hire help,” she told us. Unfortunately, this is a corner that many Hawai‘i residents are backed into.…
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Medicare Drug Costs Capped for Kūpuna
Maui resident Susan Baylosis and her mother both use Medicare Part D insurance to pay for their medicines. So far, their co-payments have been manageable. They haven’t had to take expensive brand-name prescription drugs. But Susan, an advocate for caregivers, knows that a catastrophic illness like cancer could be financially devastating even with insurance. “The…
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Support for Veterans Who Give/Receive Care
Help is available for veterans who have served our country and who now need assistance with caregiving — either as a caregiver or someone who needs care. However, many veterans are not aware of the services available to them, a new AARP survey of veterans 45 and older reveals. About half of those surveyed said…