Category: Articles

Take a Day to Organize Your Finances
If you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally important to organize your finances. This checklist can help you get started:

Cancel unused credit cards: Don’t throw away money on annual fees for credit cards you don’t use. First, cash in any rewards points you have earned and then cancel the account. Of course, take into consideration whether canceling the card will negatively affect your credit rating.

Cancel unused memberships: Did a new at-home exercise routine replace your trips to the health club or gym? Did you give up playing golf at the local club? Consider canceling your membership. Even if you have to pay a cancellation fee, you may quickly recoup your financial losses.

Consolidate accounts: You don’t necessarily need multiple checking, savings, investment, retirement or credit card accounts. The little bit of time it takes to consolidate them will be made up when you have less mail to open, less statements to reconcile, less records to file and less bills to pay. When it comes to credit, you may also earn more rewards if you stick to one or two cards.

Negotiate better deals with service providers: Whether it’s your cable, Internet or waste removal company, chances are you can negotiate a better rate. Simply get quotes from competitors. If they offer lower rates for the same services, ask your service provider if they will price match to keep your business. If not, switch to someone new.

Update your financial records: Make a list of your current financial accounts, contacts and passwords. Keep it in a safe and secure place.

Update your beneficiary designations: Your beneficiary designations override your will. Your will and your beneficiary designations both need to be up to date. So, if you’ve experienced a marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death, make sure your beneficiary designations reflect your wishes.

Review your homeowners and auto insurance coverage: Make sure your insurance coverage reflects your present needs. Also, price shop the same coverage with different providers. Whether you switch to a new provider or use this information to strike a deal with your current provider, you could save a significant amount in annual premiums.

Simplify your investments: If tracking various investments is stressing you out, consider asset allocation or managed accounts. Attempting to manage and track too many investment accounts can require a great deal of time and, if you’re not on top of the details, can prevent you making the best investment choices for your portfolio. Consider working with a financial professional to help you organize your finances and help you determine what kinds of investments might work best for you. Ask your financial advisor for more ideas and strategies on ways to save.

Michael W. K. Yee, CFP
1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu
808-952-1222 ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com

Michael W K Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner™ with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
© 2015 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File #12606695
If you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally important to organize your finances. This checklist can help you get started: Cancel unused credit cards: Don’t throw away money on annual fees for credit cards you don’t use. First, cash in any rewards points…
Women of Na Koa

The 2015 season for the Na Koa Football Club started on Aug. 31 and will continue every Monday for 11 more lunches at the Willows Restaurant, starting at 11am. This season, the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors will play 12 straight games without a week off. There is no bye for Na Koa boosters either. Coach Norm Chow kicked off their first lunch meeting to a round of applause as he announced, “This is the best football team in the three years I have been at UH.” He beamed as he talked about his players’ and coaches’ stats, noting his admiration for each one.

Coach Norm Chow speaks at the first luncheon of the season.

I noticed that women made up one-third of the audience; some with their husbands, but many alone or with a girlfriend. All listened intently to Coach, tracking every question and answer. One woman told Coach that although the stands may not always be filled, Na Koa boosters, UH fans and alums continue to support him, his staff and players. Coach thanked her and said he would take that message back to his staff and players. I caught him after lunch and asked, “Why do you think one-third of today’s meeting were women?” He grinned, “Women enjoy football!”

After lunch, I met Dana Chandler, the ultimate Rainbow Warrior booster — with season tickets for every UH sport. She’s a Cal Poly graduate, who calls Hawai‘i her home now for 35 years. She joined Na Koa to help our student athletes. Bea Shimamoto is a UH alumna who loves football and men/women’s volleyball. She can’t make all the Na Koa lunches because she attends every away game and stays to vacation. Bea broke into a big smile when I mentioned the November UNLV game. She’ll be there. Maybe you will, too!

Kim Fujiuchi, Executive Director, front far left and women of Na Koa Football Club

Both women see the educational aspect of football, preparing young men for leadership, career and raising a family. They relate to Coach Chow because of his positive attitude, family-oriented coaching method and teaching skills. He is a great spokesperson for UH because he deeply appreciates his staff, his players and their families. In return, Coach Chow and his program enjoy the enthusiastic support of 550 members of Na Koa Football Club. As he says,

“For over 25 years, Na Koa is a large part of the UH Football tradition; their support is critical to the program’s continued success, both on and off the field of play.”

Na Koa Football Club
Joyce Lau, Membership & Events Manager
808-956-4513 | joyce@nakoa.org
www.nakoa.org

The 2015 season for the Na Koa Football Club started on Aug. 31 and will continue every Monday for 11 more lunches at the Willows Restaurant, starting at 11am. This season, the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors will play 12 straight games without a week off. There is no bye for Na Koa boosters either.…
The Most Important Document

The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but it can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees as no other document can.

Karen Ann Quinlan, Nancy Cruzan, and Terri Schiavo. Sound familiar? They were three beautiful young women whose legacies are protracted legal battles over how they would be cared for after they lost the ability to speak for themselves.

Karen’s case determined that “medical treatment” includes life-sustaining measures (such as use of a ventilator to keep a person breathing), and that those measures can be declined by a patient or someone acting on the patient’s behalf.

Karen’s parents succeeded in having the ventilator that was keeping her alive removed, but Karen lived another 10 years because her parents did not believe that food and water should be withheld from her.

Nancy’s case went a step further. In that case, the battle was between Nancy’s family, who believed that Nancy would not want to be sustained on a tube, and the State of Missouri, who asserted that only the patient can make that decision.

Unfortunately, Nancy had never given written instructions about her wishes. After Nancy’s family presented sufficient evidence to convince the court that Nancy did not want to be kept alive on a tube, food and water were withdrawn.

She died 13 days later, but eight years had passed since the car accident that had rendered her incapacitated and launched the legal battle over her care.

Terri’s case involved the question of who has the authority to make end of life decisions on behalf of an incapacitated person. The law of Florida, where Terri lived, automatically conferred that authority on her spouse.

When the dust cleared following the legal battle between Terri’s husband and her parents over whether her feeding tube should be removed, Florida law was upheld, and Terri’s husband gave the order that led to Terri’s death 13 days later.

These cases teach us is that we have a right to say “enough is enough” when it comes to our medical care, including tube feeding. We also have the right to name who will speak for us when we cannot speak for ourselves.

The only way to be sure that your wishes will be known and carried out is by having a clear and comprehensive advance health-care directive.

Scott Makuakane, Counselor at Law
Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
Watch Scott’s TV show, Malama Kupuna
Sundays at 8:30 pm on KWHE, Oceanic channel 11
www.est8planning.com
O‘ahu: 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but it can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees as no other document can. Karen Ann Quinlan, Nancy Cruzan, and Terri Schiavo. Sound familiar?…
Japanese Floral Art: 35 Years in Hawai’i

Thirty-five years ago Japanese families in Hawai‘i saw the anthurium’s shiny hearts, bird of paradise’s crane neck, black berry ears of the “Mickey Mouse” plant and the mass of areca palms, fluttering in the wind. Inspired by the flowers and foliage of their new homeland, these immigrants imported Ikenobo — the soul of ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arrangement) that brought such a profound sense of peace and harmony into their western lives.

The practice of Ikenobo began over 550 years ago in Japan’s Muromachi period (1333–1568) with Ikenobo Senkei and Ikenobo Senno (headmasters at that time). Hawai‘i’s ikebana only began in 1925. After leaving Japan, Rev. Hakuai Oda and his wife, Kako Oda, began spreading the joy of ikebana from Pappa‘aloa Hongwanji Temple on Hawai‘i Island. They continued that mission at Aiea Hongwanji and Jikoen Temple Hall on O‘ahu in 1933. However, it was not until 1980 that the 45th headmaster, Sen‘ei Ikenobo, established the Honolulu Chapter under the direction of Kako Oda, its first president.

Soon, in October, Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Honolulu Chapter, shares that peace and harmony with you, as it celebrates its 35th anniversary and honors the pioneers who brought the floral tradition to Hawai‘i. Experience the force of nature that moves a branch to flow with the trade winds, creates beauty in a leaf half-eaten by insects and calms the mind with the mesmerizing allure of flowers — silent movement, creativity, harmony and color. Our special guest, Yuki Ikenobo, the 46th Ikenobo headmaster designate, will be displaying an exhibition of her art.

Fifty other Ikenobo Ikebana Society members and teachers, including Sensei Michiko Oba, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Oda, will also create arrangements.

“We are honored to have Yuki-sama celebrate our 35th anniversary with us,” said May Hiraoka-Tomita, local chapter president. “Her awe-inspiring floral arrangements will bring peace and harmony to our islands.”

October 15–18
Ikebana Exhibition
35th Anniversary
Honolulu Museum of Art School
1111 Victoria Street, Honolulu
Admission is Free!

Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Honolulu Chapter
1521 Alexander St., #1204, Honolulu 96822
800-221-9388 | ikenobohonolulu@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/IkenoboHonolulu

Thirty-five years ago Japanese families in Hawai‘i saw the anthurium’s shiny hearts, bird of paradise’s crane neck, black berry ears of the “Mickey Mouse” plant and the mass of areca palms, fluttering in the wind. Inspired by the flowers and foliage of their new homeland, these immigrants imported Ikenobo — the soul of ikebana (the…
Playtime for Tutu

On a warm Friday morning in July, I spent some one-on-one time with my four-year old granddaughter at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kaka‘ako. We’ve been going there for over two years and love visiting all three floors. During some visits, we just spend two or three hours on one floor, and then there are times when Alexis wants to explore all three!

On this particular day, as I watched her play in the familiar “Rainforest,” where kids learn about the environment. There was a 50-50 parents-to-grandparents ratio with keiki younger than one year old to over seven. I am sure there are many grandparents in Hawai‘i who babysit, some full-time and some, like me, who watch grandchildren during holidays or school vacations.

The Discovery Center is a great place for grandparents to have a few hours of fun, education and entertainment. Share the experience of “Your Town” on the ground floor, where there is a grocery store with shopping carts and food, plus a check-out counter, a bank with a drive-up teller window, mechanic’s shop to repair a car, fireman’s truck and equipment, theater for performances in costume and even a post office with mail boxes all around the town.

To learn more, check out their website at www.discoverycenterhawaii.org. Visit them at 111 Ohe St. in Kaka‘ako or call 808-524-5437. Lastly, I’d have to say, there are lots of places to SIT and enjoy Alexis at play for this Tutu!

Stories for and about seniors and their caregivers are always worth sharing, like a 100 birthday announcement, send it to me, Sherry Goya, with a photo. 808-722-8487 | SGoyaLLC@aol.com

On a warm Friday morning in July, I spent some one-on-one time with my four-year old granddaughter at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kaka‘ako. We’ve been going there for over two years and love visiting all three floors. During some visits, we just spend two or three hours on one floor, and then there…
Kailua-Kona Welcomes 67 Softball Teams

A huge rainbow of teams took to the field: Kona Gold tested their mettle and prevailed in the A Division

The 40th Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament drew 67 teams to compete at Kailua-Kona on Aug. 4–6. This year, eight divisions vied for victory on Kona Makaeo ball fields at Old A’s Airport Park. Maui fielded 13 teams, while O‘ahu gathered 17. Hawai’i Island turned out a big 25 teams, and 12 more teams flew in from Kaua’i. When all the players huddled together for the Pledge of Allegiance, their vibrant colored team shirts created a solid rainbow — a sign of the great games ahead and a unified spirit. The heat rose, as pitchers and fielders stared down batters prepared to take the bases. By tournament end, brown dirt masked tennis shoes and sticky shins. It did not matter which team came in first, second, or third. Hats off, there were happy smiles all around.

Solid competition in the A Division decided three winners: Kona Gold slid to first place, the Honomu Rockets landed second, and Kona Legends placed third. League Director Randell Kokubun honored the two longest standing teams to play in this competition: The Pomaika’i Seniors from Hilo and the Kohala Seniors.

One might assume that senior softball is an allmale game, but a number of women swung the bat too! The day shined with a love for the game, a get-together of friends, and good sportsmanship. That’s really what it’s all about — playing hard and having fun!

The 40th Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament drew 67 teams to compete at Kailua-Kona on Aug. 4–6. This year, eight divisions vied for victory on Kona Makaeo ball fields at Old A’s Airport Park. Maui fielded 13 teams, while O‘ahu gathered 17. Hawai’i Island turned out a big 25 teams, and 12 more teams flew…
Laser Therapy for Treating Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder with frequent awakenings and breathing disruptions of 10 seconds or longer, that occur when the patient’s airway becomes blocked.

Sleep apnea lowers blood-oxygen levels, puts a strain on the heart, and is associated with high blood pressure, headaches, depression and daytime sleepiness. If left untreated, severe and fatal health problems can occur, such as stroke, heart attack, diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

What is NightLase®

Fotona’s NightLase therapy is a non-invasive, laser treatment to improve sleep. NightLase reduces sleep apnea and decreases snoring by application of gentle, laser-induced heat to contract collagen and tighten oral mucosa tissue. Fotona’s patented Er:YAG laser modality optimizes the length of laser pulses, allowing the heat to safely penetrate tissue. A course of NightLase consists of three treatments over a six-week period. Results of treatment last up to a year, and the therapy can be repeated.

Patients find NightLase to be a highly comfortable and satisfying alternative to devices worn during sleep or chemical treatments. It’s a gentle and easy way to regain a good night’s rest. For further information, visit www.fotona.com/en/treatments/1627/nightlase.

Hawaii Center for Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry
1520 Liliha Street, #703, Honolulu HI 96817
808-526-0670 | www.nightlasehawaii.com

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder with frequent awakenings and breathing disruptions of 10 seconds or longer, that occur when the patient’s airway becomes blocked. Sleep apnea lowers blood-oxygen levels, puts a strain on the heart, and is associated with high blood pressure, headaches, depression and daytime sleepiness. If left untreated, severe and fatal health…
Record Crowd Packs 9th AIP Workshop

This year’s 9th Annual “Aging in Place Workshop” at the Ala Moana Hotel was the most successful that Generations Magazine and KHON2 Elderhood Project have ever hosted. Seventy-five exhibitors awaited the arrival of over 1,500 excited attendees. The workshop took place on Aug. 15, and between 8:30 am and 2:45 pm, 18 different sessions offered topics for seniors ranging from financial planning to healthy workout routines.

The workshop sessions educate seniors on ways to remain mobile, independent and alert so they can live independently in their own homes. AARP even hosted a birthday party to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Social Security with a visit from Sen. Brian Schatz. Seniors also had a special opportunity to meet three winners of the 2015 Ms. Medicare Pageant.

A key session on preparing to stay in your home drew a standing-room-only crowd. Attorney Stephen Yim suggested seniors be sure that their wills and trusts conform to current U.S. and Hawai‘i state regulations. Percy Ihara discussed how reverse mortgage programs can help seniors keep owning and living in their homes. Financial planner Michael W. Yee answered many questions on preparing for the costs of long-term home care.

Long life has many challenges. Gerry Silva, state president of AARP, spoke on the future of Social Security, assuring seniors that it’s “here to stay.” He said, “If it weren’t for Social Security, about half of the people over age 65 would be below the federal poverty line.”

The Aging in Place Workshop teaches ways to manage in our own homes as we age — to delay moving to a care facility as long as possible. That way, we can enjoy living in the place where we raised our children, surrounded by family and friends, and precious memories.

This year’s 9th Annual “Aging in Place Workshop” at the Ala Moana Hotel was the most successful that Generations Magazine and KHON2 Elderhood Project have ever hosted. Seventy-five exhibitors awaited the arrival of over 1,500 excited attendees. The workshop took place on Aug. 15, and between 8:30 am and 2:45 pm, 18 different sessions offered…
Assisted Living in the “Urban Core”

For Honolulu residents, assisted living and retirement communities used to mean moving away to a quiet suburb. They yearned for a simple life, free from home maintenance, chores, cooking and cleaning, but not seclusion — miles from their church, social clubs, stores, restaurants and civic events.

Today, assisted living facilities are being built in urban locations, and moving to a retirement community does not necessarily mean leaving friends, family and comfortable surroundings. New facilities offer “in town” living, in familiar neighborhoods, like Waikiki. Convenient and accessible high-rise communities provide support services of all kinds, including housekeeping and meal service, security and community activities. Seniors used to a vibrant lifestyle can take morning walks along the Ala Wai Canal and meet up with friends at their favorite corner café.

The growing demand for assisted living options means that Honolulu companies like The Plaza Assisted Living will be “building more facilities in familiar neighborhoods,” says Colby Takeda, administrator of The Plaza at Waikiki. “Our seniors want to remain active in their community — to stay at the ‘urban core’ of the city they love.”

Urban living is not for everyone, but if your retirement dreams include Honolulu city lights, maybe now your dreams can come true.

The Plaza at Waikiki — A Senior Living Community
1812 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu HI 96815
808-955-0800 | www.theplazaassistedliving.com

For Honolulu residents, assisted living and retirement communities used to mean moving away to a quiet suburb. They yearned for a simple life, free from home maintenance, chores, cooking and cleaning, but not seclusion — miles from their church, social clubs, stores, restaurants and civic events. Today, assisted living facilities are being built in urban…
Cold Laser Therapy for Pain

Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The American Academy of Pain Management estimates that more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Patients often explore multiple options for relief, but pain medication continues to be the mainstay of chronic pain management in the U.S.

Forty years of research supports the efficacy of cold laser therapy or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). It is a proven analgesic, anti-inflammatory and effective healing regimen. There are many modalities for pain management, but cold laser is unique because it not only reduces pain, but also stimulates healing in tissues, like bone, cartilage, muscle and spinal discs.

Under the care of a medical professional, LLLT is considered safe. It offers a non-invasive option to acupuncture and surgery. There is no prolonged recovery time, it is painless and FDA cleared. It is not addictive and eliminates the complications of long-term drug treatment.

Each session only takes 10 to 20 minutes, and it may take a series of treatments before you experience results. LLLT can provide pain relief or pain reduction, especially for patients seeking a treatment without the use of surgery or drugs. Used alone or in combination with other therapeutic tools, cold laser is changing the way physical therapists improve patients’ quality of life.

Moon Physical Therapy, LLC
320 Ward Avenue, Suite 107, Honolulu, HI 96814
Aquatic, Land-based and Manual Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com

Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The American Academy of Pain Management estimates that more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Patients often explore multiple options for relief, but pain medication continues to be the mainstay of chronic pain management in the U.S. Forty years of research supports…
Women and Social Security

Social Security values and appreciates women. Men and women with identical earnings histories receive the same benefits, yet women should know about certain trends, differences in lifestyle and patterns of earnings that may affect their benefits.

For example, some women may be caregivers for many people: spouses, children and parents. Taking time away from the workplace to care for a newborn child, ailing spouse or aging parent can impact your future Social Security benefits.

Despite significant strides, women are still more likely to earn less over a lifetime than men, and less likely than men to be covered by private retirement plans. In their retirement years, they are more dependent upon Social Security benefits.

Did you know that on average, women tend to live about five years longer than men? This means more years depending on Social Security and other retirement income or savings.

If a woman’s spouse earns significantly more than she does, she may qualify for a larger benefit amount on the spouse’s record than on her own. To learn more, read, “What Every Woman Should Know” on www.socialsecurity.gov/women.

You may also be interested in listening to Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security, on National Public Radio as she talks about women and money. Just visit www.tinyurl.com/SSA-WomenLiveLonger.

Questions, online applications, or to make an appointment to visit a Social Security office, contact:
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
www.socialsecurity.gov

Social Security values and appreciates women. Men and women with identical earnings histories receive the same benefits, yet women should know about certain trends, differences in lifestyle and patterns of earnings that may affect their benefits. For example, some women may be caregivers for many people: spouses, children and parents. Taking time away from the…
Save Crucial Time: Register for Smart911

The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com.

Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain emergency access to your home, if you are unable to answer the door.

When you call 911 in the future, your information will be available to the dispatcher and the EMTs who come to the rescue. If they already know you are in a wheelchair, or to watch out for the dog, precious time will be saved — in emergencies, every second counts.

It’s easy to visit www.Smart911.com and create your safety profile for Smart911. You choose what information you want to share with 911. This service is available nationwide, to assist you and your family in emergencies, even when you are traveling. Not on O‘ahu? Register now so your information will be available immediately when Smart911 comes to your island.

Honolulu Police Department, Smart 9-1-1
General Assistance: 808-529-3111
www.HonoluluPD.org | www.Smart911.com

The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com. Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain emergency access to your home, if you are unable to answer the door. When…

Category: Articles

What is NightLase®