Category: Living Life

Making A Difference for Retirees in Hawai‘i

L–R: Justin Wong, Jean Dobashi,  Senator Maizie Hirono, Al Hamai.

The Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans (HARA) is our state affiliate of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), which serves as a national umbrella organization for advocacy organizations interested in working together on aging, retirees and community issues.

Founded in 2001, HARA is comprised of eight affiliate organizations in Hawai‘i totaling more than 21,000 members, including AFT Retirees, HGEA Retirees, HSTA-Retired, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, ILWU Retirees, Kokua Council, Machinist Union Retirees and UPW Retirees.

HARA works with the Legislative Kupuna Caucus and other senior/aging advocacy organizations to support legislative measures and to provide public input on issues that affect seniors. Some important examples are the Kupuna Care Program (state funds to enable the elderly and people with disabilities to remain at home) and a state-administered long-term care program. We also endorse measures to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, create permanent absentee registration and voting, and develop one-stop Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC). HARA urges support for family caregivers, affordable housing and assistance for the homeless. Besides our biennial conventions, HARA members get together with the Kokua Council to meet with members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature every May. The recent legislative session was very productive because we are in an election cycle.

HARA is part of ARA, a national grassroots movement for seniors/retirees, in which we join with 49 other independent state organizations. Our four million members work together to make our voices heard in shaping federal laws, policies, politics and institutions that affect our lives. The national ARA mission is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens, so they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security. The 2016 Legislative Session was evaluated in late May at a Legislative Review sponsored by HARA and Kokua Council.

For more information or to get involved helping other retirees, visit www.retiredamericans.org. Those who join ARA online automatically become members of HARA. Annual dues are $10. If you belong to a group of retirees who would like to align with HARA, contact President Justin Wong.

HARA officers serving Hawai‘i retirees include President Wong, Vice President Elmer Yuen, Secretary Carol Noland, Treasurer Phyllis Hiramatsu and Past President Al Hamai.

HAWAI‘I ALLIANCE OF RETIRED AMERICANS,  1953 S. Beretania St. Suite 5c, Honolulu, HI 96826
Justin Wong, President  | 808-395-9717 | wongj060@hawaii.rr.com  | www.retiredamericans.org

Making A Difference for Retirees in Hawai‘i by Justin Wong, President of Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans from the June-May 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Elks Care, Elks Share

That’s how members of the 115-year-old Honolulu Lodge 616 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks describe charitable work. Lodge members helped the community from the beginning, raising funds for charities through minstrel shows, baseball games, carnivals, circuses, dances, rodeos and boxing matches. From 1946, Ladies of the Elks, and after 1962, the Emblem Club, raised money with fashion shows, bingo and rummage sales.

From the 1930s, Elks funded lunchtime milk for schools. In the 1950s, Elks funding came from managing the Hula Bowl; “Termite Palace” football games featured milking competitions and Milk Queen contests. In 1951, Honolulu Rapid Transit and Art Rutledge’s striking Teamsters provided Hula Bowl busing. Members have also distributed Thanksgiving food baskets, children’s Christmas gifts, and hosted Kalihi Orphanage outings at Hanauma Bay and Christmas parties at children’s hospitals. They entertained students and teachers from Waimano and Diamond Head schools. A successful 1949 community toy-and-book drive filled donation barrels with Christmas gifts for children in hospitals and orphanages.

Call or go online for more information.

HONOLULU ELKS LODGE 616 , 2933 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
808-923-5722 | Elks616@hawaiintel.net   | www.elkslodge616.org

Elks Care, Elks Share by Anita Manning, Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 Historian from the June-May 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Great Competition Among Seniors

The Tunnel Vision game requires visual stability… and of course, laughter.

March seems to be the perfect time for the Annual Senior Classic Games, which was created by Herbert Yasuhara in 1989 when he was the supervisor of the Hālawa Complex. Yasuhara started the games to get the senior citizens in the club active and moving, as an addition to sedentary activities such as cards or cribbage. The games were adopted by the De-partment of Parks and Recreation to include all those enrolled in the senior clubs islandwide.

In the past few years that Generations Magazine sponsored the 72 medals, the park was a great backdrop for a beautiful day of competition. The games were played in the gym and on the grounds outside, with names like Tunnel Vision, Nine Gates, Pin Ball and Peg Ball. The two age categories are 55 to 74, and 75 and over. The 91 teams of three members each from most O‘ahu senior clubs also brought cheerleaders who encouraged the athletes with enthusiasm — and even pompoms.

There’s always a happy ending with recognitions and a group photo with Herbert Yasuhara.

Everyone had so much fun competing in the games. I heard that there were new members of the Kailua Senior Club who were very excited that they won medals. Some teams even had fun gathering for practices before this annual event.

To join a senior club, prospective members need to be 55 years of age or older and registered at a Parks and Recreation facility that has a senior club. There are over 35 senior clubs islandwide

For more information on senior citizen programs, feel free to call Randy Yasuhara, City and County of Honolulu’s Recreation Support Services of the Senior Citizen Section, at 808-768-3045 or check out www.honolulu.gov/parks/dprseniorcitizens.htm.

Great Competition Among Seniors by Sherry Goya, Generations Magazine Staff from the June-July 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource For Life
Feeding College Athletes: Body, Mind, Soul

“Show me a university that is financially secure and I’ll show you its athletic foundation; show me a championship team and I’ll show you a student body academically driven by the same zeal of excellence.” — Gov. John A. Burns

With wisdom and vision, Gov. Burns took $8,000 from his own pocket and created ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue (AKA) in 1967, providing the community with a way to contribute financial support to field competitive and successful teams at the University of Hawai‘i. Today, AKA is an efficient nonprofit that raises $6 million annually. Despite its success, UH requires more community financial support than ever.

Recent NCAA rule changes allow universities to provide 24-hour buffets to all athletes, not just those with scholarships, providing the schools with a huge recruiting advantage.

UH seized this opportunity and developed its Supplemental Meal Program, which provides that all student-athletes get one full meal a day.

Coaches love this program, which literally feeds the minds, bodies and souls of UH athletes.

Visit www.koaanuenue.org and click the “Apples for Athletes” campaign button.

‘AHAHUI KOA ĀNUENUE
Jon Kobayashi, President  | 808-956-6500 | jon@koaanuenue.org |  www.koaanuenue.org

Feeding College Athletes : Body, Mind, Soul by Jon Kobayashi, President, ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue from the June-May 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Forever Young!

Seniors stretching and exercising at Kokua Kalihi Valley.

What image comes to mind when you think of an Elderly community center? An AARP sponsored YouTube is making the rounds “Millennials Show Us What ‘Old’ Looks Like.” Have you seen it? The video reveals an interesting perspective of what the 20-somethings think. Millennials are asked what age they consider to be “old” and to demonstrate what “old” looks like. The 20–28 year olds “act out” their images of the “old,” laughing and giggling as they imitate slow, uncoordinated individuals.

Next, the host gives them a chance to meet and interact with older people (who were secretly watching how these young adults portrayed them). The Millennials quickly discover the “old,” are physically strong, active, vibrant — living rich, satisfying lives. The shock and surprise on their faces at how some older people truly function is absolutely priceless!

As a frequent volunteer at the Kokua Kalihi Valley Elderly Center in Honolulu, I regularly witness how vibrant and active the participants are; all are 60 or older. During a recent visit, after some light, chair aerobics, about 75 participants used 5-pound dumbbells to do a couple of sets of overhead, triceps extensions. Believe me, it wasn’t easy! More evidence that active seniors are busy reshaping the image of older people. Like that old Bob Dylan song, the new “old” may become “Forever Young.”

KOKUA KALIHI VALLEY Comprehensive Family Services , 2239 North School St.,Honolulu, HI 96819
808-791-9400 | www.kkv.net/index.php/elder-care

Forever Young! by Martha Khlopin for the June-July 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource For Life
Busy Doing Good

Spenner and the UH Foundation are grateful for support from donors.

Keeping busy is important in retirement. For me, doing something meaningful is key to an enjoyable life. Before I retired, I worked in philanthropy, helping to raise funds for a highly regarded private school. I felt good assisting the school with its mission, enabling donors to do “good” for the school and helping people “achieve their heart’s desire.” My specialty is estate and gift planning — working with donors as they ponder their own mortality and decide how they can make a difference with the wealth they have accumulated. If you don’t make plans for your estate, others (including the government) will make those decisions for you after you pass. I help empower people to make bequests that can help their heirs and charities they love.

When I first retired, I lived an idyllic life. I walked along beaches, swam in the surf, trekked over mountain trails, cooked delicious meals, got a library card and read dozens of books, and napped in the afternoon. I even walked around the entire Island of O‘ahu. What’s not to love about this lifestyle? I had the money to be unemployed and self-indulgent, but I wanted to do more. I volunteered for local fundraising efforts and got quite involved with my faith community. Then one day, I received an unsolicited email from either LinkedIn or a search firm, saying, “Here’s a job that you might like.” It described exactly what I had been doing for the past 10 years. I can do this, I thought. I applied and was hired.

The work environment at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is very enjoyable and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. The UH System, with its 10 campuses, is the only public university in the state. The future of Hawai‘i depends on us offering greater educational opportunities for students at every academic level, career aspiration and economic strata.

Now, a year later, my work has stopped being a hobby-job; it is a mission. I want to help young students pull themselves out of poverty through education, and help the brightest academic scholars continue their research and post-graduate studies at UH instead of going to the mainland. I want to show generous Hawai‘i residents that their current major gifts and planned estate gifts to the UH Foundation are living investments in the future of Hawai‘i. There is nothing more personally rewarding than when a grateful donor thanks me for helping make a profound difference in his or her life and the lives of students by crafting their legacy gift.

This is why I chose to work after retirement at a job that has become a life’s work for me.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I FOUNDATION , P.O. Box 11270, Honolulu, HI 96828-0270
1-866-846-4262 | www.uhfoundation.org

Busy Doing Good by Dale Spenner, University of Hawai‘i Foundation for the June-July 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource For Life
A Hand Up for Humanity

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity is great, but what do they do? Here’s what Executive Director Jim Murphy told us.

“In over 70 countries, Habitat For Humanity’s mission is to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live — by building new homes or fixing existing ones. Land is so costly in Hawai‘i that our work here is largely repairs.

“People often think that Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to families in need,” says Murphy. “In fact, we partner with the homeowner, who assists with the repair project and assumes a zero interest mortgage to cover the costs of materials and labor.” Murphy calls it a “pay-forward sustainable model,” a kind of “hand up.” When homeowners pay back the mortgage, Habitat loans the money to other families.

Candidates for Habitat Honolulu’s Home Preservation Program may be covering their monthly expenses, but cannot afford to make repairs. Perhaps the home is unsafe, or the roof is leaking. Families may not be able to qualify for a bank loan. Others may be one illness or one job loss away from being homeless. Habitat steps in as an equity partner to help the homeowner get a new roof, ramps for wheelchair access, or repair termite damage. Small home preservation projects like installing new carpeting or bathroom grab bars to prevent falls can make a big difference in the safety, value and appearance of a home.

Habitat for Humanity also pulls in community volunteers to do the construction at a very low cost. They provide professional financial counseling and usually homeowner partners are able pay back their loan within seven years.

If you live on O‘ahu and need assistance or want to donate your skills, contact T.J. Joseph at 808-538-7575. You may also donate new and lightly used appliances, building materials and furniture to the Honolulu Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Austin Lane. It’s a great place to find bargains for your home improvement projects! All sales fund Honolulu Habitat’s mission. Neighbor islands may google search “Habitat for Humanity” for the location of your local Habitat for Humanity and nearest ReStore.

HONOLULU HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
922 Austin Lane, #C-1, Honolulu, HI 96817 
808-538-7575 | tj@honluluhabitat.org

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity is great, but what do they do? Here’s what Executive Director Jim Murphy told us. “In over 70 countries, Habitat For Humanity’s mission is to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live — by building new homes or fixing existing ones. Land is so costly in Hawai‘i that our work here…
Prepare to Care for a Loved One

Do you use your lunch hour or leave work early to run errands for your parents? Spend more time tending to mom’s prescriptions than your own?

As our parents age, it’s more a matter of when, not if, they will need our help. In a recent AARP survey of Hawai‘i registered voters age 45 or older, more than one in five residents said they are currently providing care for a loved one. Four in 10 residents believe it’s likely they will do so in the future.

As Hawai‘i ages, we know that many families don’t have a plan in place to support their parents when the time comes. That’s a problem because one day you may get a call that mom or dad has slipped in the shower and has been admitted to the hospital. At that point, emotions take over. By taking some immediate steps today you can be better prepared for the future:

Start the Conversation

Many people wait until a crisis occurs before they ask their parents about their preferences, wishes for health care or the details of their finances. If you wait until a fall, accident or serious diagnosis, big decisions may be driven by inaccurate assumptions of what your parents want.

Form your Team

No one should approach the emotions and responsibilities of caregiving alone. While other family members are likely sources of support, don’t overlook friends, colleagues, clubs and faith-based organizations as resources too.

Make a Plan

Putting together a caregiving plan now will help you respond more quickly and effectively. It can also provide peace of mind. A plan helps everyone get on the same page and focus on what’s best for your parents.

Find Caregiving Resources

Look around your community for resources to help with medical needs, counseling, legal support, adult and senior services, caregiving support groups, in-home care services, veterans’ benefits, and health insurance information on Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance.

It’s also important to be an advocate for yourself and the person you care for. At the Hawai‘i state legislature this year, AARP Hawaii is part of a coalition of advocates working on a measure that will allow patients to designate a family caregiver when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. The proposed CARE Act would require hospitals to give all inpatients the opportunity to have the designated caregiver instructed, before discharge, in the tasks needed to keep them safe when they go home. The bill is meant to help caregivers with training and education on medical and nursing tasks at home, and prevent costly unscheduled hospital or doctor visits.

AARP CAREGIVING RESOURCE CENTER
1-877-333-5885 | www.aarp.org/caregiving

Do you use your lunch hour or leave work early to run errands for your parents? Spend more time tending to mom’s prescriptions than your own? As our parents age, it’s more a matter of when, not if, they will need our help. In a recent AARP survey of Hawai‘i registered voters age 45 or…
May is Older Americans Month

2015 Outstanding Older American Honorees: (left to right) Maui: Donald Jensen & Katsuko Enoki, Kaua‘i: Roger Caires & Pat Simpson, Honolulu: Alan Kumalae & Yolanda Morreira, Hawai‘i: Janet Murakami

We can’t overlook what our elder community (289,000 over 60 years) have contributed to the quality of life we share in Hawai‘i. In May, celebrations throughout the state recognize years of continued hard work and positive contributions that senior citizens make to their communities throughout Hawai‘i.

In 1963, John F. Kennedy established May as Senior Citizens Month. Kennedy recognized community contributions made by his parents’ generation, who fought and won two world wars. From the Great Depression, they worked hard to create a quality of life envied the world over.

In 1965, Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Older Americans Act, addressing elder needs, and May became Older Americans Month.

On May 6, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i counties will celebrate older Americans, followed by Honolulu and Maui County later in the month. Each County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) receives dozens of nominations from which they select two awardees—just eight for the state. They come from various volunteer groups, community associations, churches and senior centers.

Patricia Simpson, was completely surprised at her nomination by Kaua‘i’s Hospice group, Share the Care. “I‘ve always looked at volunteering as a way to give back. Getting this kind of recognition was a totally unexpected gift,” she said.

The state recognizes these awardees and Older Americans Month on June 3, at a luncheon co- operatively hosted by state offices and agencies, and led by the Executive Office on Aging (EOA). The event is organized by the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA), a volunteer board appointed by the governor to identify and address issues on aging in Hawai‘i. They advocate for legislative action and elder services program development; they also evaluate current efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens 60 years of age and older. The theme for 2016 Older Americans Month is “Blaze a Trail,” urging seniors to take action and advocate for themselves.

The 2016 State Recognition Luncheon event will be hosted by Kahala Nui Living Center. Seating is limited and by invitation only. To contribute to the support of this event or for further information, contact the Executive Office on Aging at 808-586-0100.

We can’t overlook what our elder community (289,000 over 60 years) have contributed to the quality of life we share in Hawai‘i. In May, celebrations throughout the state recognize years of continued hard work and positive contributions that senior citizens make to their communities throughout Hawai‘i. In 1963, John F. Kennedy established May as Senior…
A Fair Ride in Honolulu

Citizens for a Fair ADA Ride (CFADAR) is a volunteer organization that advocates and lobbies for seniors and disabled customers of paratransit transportation on the City of Honolulu’s TheBus or TheHandi-Van.

At CFADAR quarterly public meetings, representatives from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and Oahu Transit Services (OTS) answer questions, address transit user concerns and find solutions. CFADAR is a completely volunteer organization of individuals from all backgrounds—concerned or interested persons need not be seniors or have a disability to join.

The organization was established in 2000 by Morris Nakamura and named by Louise Horio. Since 2010, Donald Sakamoto, who is legally blind, has served as Chairman. He also served two years on the Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawai‘i and was recognized by Honolulu Star-Advertiser for his positive efforts in the senior community. DTS Director Mike Humby describes Sakamoto as “trustworthy and humble.”

CFADAR seeks volunteers and donations of printers and toner cartridges, copy paper, digital recorders for dictation, and desktop or laptop computers with printers. Cash donations and donations of in-kind personal assistant services to directly support those who are disabled would also be appreciated. The next quarterly meeting will be at 9:45am on Tues., May 17 at the State Capitol Auditorium. The public is welcome.

CITIZENS FOR A FAIR ADA RIDE
808-291-0844 | cfadarhonoluluhi@aol.com

Citizens for a Fair ADA Ride (CFADAR) is a volunteer organization that advocates and lobbies for seniors and disabled customers of paratransit transportation on the City of Honolulu’s TheBus or TheHandi-Van. At CFADAR quarterly public meetings, representatives from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and Oahu Transit Services (OTS) answer questions, address transit user concerns…
The Beauty of Hawaiian Quilting

Henrietta Mahuna learned Hawaiian quilting from another Hawaiian quilter. The handicraft has been passed down for two centuries — since the Hawaiians learned the echo style of quilting from New England missionaries. First, appliques are stitched to a plain field. Quilting follows the shape of the applique, first on the outside edge. The next row of quilting runs parallel but a short distance away, like a ripple in a pond. Soon the whole blanket is quilted. A style fashionable in the early 1800s was preserved and became a treasured tradition in Hawai‘i.

“Mama” Mahuna sits on her shady deck and quilts every day. Neighbors, friends and mainland visitors who love to quilt come not only to learn, but also to “talk story.” In the old days, conversation was always accompanied by busy hands — sewing, preparing food or finishing a church project. Henrietta, who is Native Hawaiian, was raised in Hāna and moved to West Maui in 1942. She worked for Baldwin Packers as the only female field supervisor. Later she was promoted to work the Honolua Store at Kapalua Resort. She invented the “Honolua Burger.”

Now 95, Henrietta still loves quilting and spending time with the ladies as they create beautiful “blankets” and pillow covers. “I like designing the patterns and cutting them out. I’ve made many different ones, but the Hawaiian trees and flower patterns are what people seem to like best,” she says.

Henrietta Mahuna learned Hawaiian quilting from another Hawaiian quilter. The handicraft has been passed down for two centuries — since the Hawaiians learned the echo style of quilting from New England missionaries. First, appliques are stitched to a plain field. Quilting follows the shape of the applique, first on the outside edge. The next row of quilting…
Tune in to KITV4 Saturday Morning!

KITV4 Morning News has a Saturday morning segment called “Aging Well,” hosted by News Anchor Moanike‘ala Nabarro, who opens conversations with experts on issues of importance to seniors. Generations Magazine® is partnering with KITV4, bringing to TV all the experts and resources our readers have come to trust. The segment runs between 6 and 8am on Saturdays — with health tips, information on finances, retirement, insurance, exercise, nutrition, etc.

“Kūpuna play an important role here in Hawai‘i, and I am so humbled to be a part of the conversation when it comes to caring for them,” says Moanike‘ala. The partnership brings vital educational information to Baby Boomers and seniors through KITV Island News and kitv.com.

Percy Ihara, Generations Magazine publisher and champion of senior issues, is pleased to be working with KITV4. “This is a commitment to getting more information to seniors, many of whom don’t get out as much as they would like. Now they can tune in to find out what’s going on with and for seniors,” says Ihara. “Watching  “Aging Well” can improve their lives.”

AGING WELL by KITV4 Morning News
Saturdays, 6–8am hosted with Moanike‘ala Nabarro
www.kitv.com (to watch segments, search: “Aging Well”)

KITV4 Morning News has a Saturday morning segment called “Aging Well,” hosted by News Anchor Moanike‘ala Nabarro, who opens conversations with experts on issues of importance to seniors. Generations Magazine® is partnering with KITV4, bringing to TV all the experts and resources our readers have come to trust. The segment runs between 6 and 8am…

Category: Living Life

Start the Conversation

Form your Team

Make a Plan

Find Caregiving Resources