Category: Living Life
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Walls of Honor
One of The American Legion’s main pillars is its concern for veterans who have served their country in any of our military branches during wartime or peacetime. I visited many longterm care facilities as a American Legion Post 1 representative to make short patriotic talks and pass out “Thank You For You Service” certificates. I…
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Safe Falling Principles & Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of non-fatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. But falling is not the inevitable result of aging. Awareness and lifestyle adjustment can help prevent falls or lessen the number of falls. And learning how to fall safely will reduce the potential for…
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Honolulu Kūpuna Shed Grows in Kaka‘ako
Founded in 2016, Honolulu Kupuna Shed was originally named the “Honolulu Men’s Shed,” based on an Australian model that promotes fellowship and well-being among senior men. For the past 8 years, “The Shed” focused on traditional woodworking, bike repair and canoe building. In 2022, The Shed renamed itself the “Honolulu Kupuna Shed” to encourage more…
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Seminars Explore Smart Homes, Brain Health
Remember those kitschy “Clap on! Clap off!” commercials of the 1980s? (See one below). Who would have guessed that “The Clapper” device they advertised to turn your lights on and off with a clap of your hand was ahead of its time? Now we have entire homes with smart devices and voice assistants. Instead of…
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It’s Obon Season Again!
Each summer from June to August, communities across the State of Hawai‘i gather for the annual Bon dance festivals. Many generations of both Buddhists and non-Buddhists gather to honor the memories of their ancestors, while nurturing the community through dancing, fellowship and, of course, food, at the same time. Obon, or just Bon, is a…
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Ice Cream Dreams
Everyone enjoys a scoop now and then, especially during those hot summer days. For something a little different, the sweet folks at Roselani Ice Cream were kind enough to share their expert ideas about how to make a good thing even better. With 42 flavors of their ice cream to choose from, their recipes are…
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Palliative Care Enhances Quality of Life
After a heart attack, 69-year-old Kumu Hula Tutu Malia developed heart failure, resulting in four trips to the ER and several hospital stays within three months. When a friend informed Tutu Malia about palliative care, she asked her doctor about it and he referred her to a new, home-based palliative care program. The program includes…
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Children’s Book Explores Dementia
Frances H. Kakugawa, a Hawai‘i Island native, began writing poetry a half-century ago, then stopped for some years to work for the public school system. But when she became the primary caregiver for her mother, she found that writing poetry helped ease her stress.