Category: Articles

The City’s Complete Streets

New law paves way for safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled

Pedestrian and bicycle safety advocates celebrated in May as the Honolulu City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that paves the way for the development of a multi-modal mobility infrastructure, making it safer and easier for residents of all ages and physical abilities to get around.

The passage of Bill 26 is the culmination of nearly six years of work at the state and county levels of government by advocates concerned that Honolulu’s roadways are predominantly designed for use by automobiles and provide dangerous conditions for those who don’t drive. Bill 26 requires that Honolulu’s roadways accommodate access and mobility for all users of public highways, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists and persons of all abilities. The new law is a significant milestone in the fight to ensure that city transportation planning and design takes into account Hawai‘i’s aging population.

“This law is the beginning of a culture shift in Honolulu transportation planning,” said AARP Hawai‘i Director of Community Outreach Jackie Boland. “Hawai‘i has the highest fatality rate in the country among pedestrians age 60 and older, and that has to change. Our city streets belong to everyone — pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, young and old, the able and the disabled.”

Bill 26 sets the stage for the implementation of Complete Streets in Honolulu. It describes Complete Streets features and principles, provides for the interdepartmental coordination and transparency necessary to ensure that city streets are made more accessible for all users.

Examples of Complete Streets features include such things as sidewalks, crosswalks, accessible curb ramps, curb extensions, raised medians, refuge islands, roundabouts or mini-circles, traffic signals and accessible pedestrian signals, shared-use paths, bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, street trees, planting strips, signs, multi-modal pavement marking and striping, street furniture, bicycle parking facilities, public transportation stops and facilities, including streetscapes, dedicated transit lanes, and transit priority signalization.

AARP is a membership organization for people age 50 and older with nearly 150,000 members in Hawai‘i. We champion access to affordable, quality health care for all generations, provide the tools needed to save for retirement, and serve as a reliable information source on issues critical to older Americans.

For more information, please visit www.aarp.org/hi, www.facebook.com/AARPHawaii or www.twitter.com/AARPHawaii.

New law paves way for safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled Pedestrian and bicycle safety advocates celebrated in May as the Honolulu City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that paves the way for the development of a multi-modal mobility infrastructure, making it safer and easier for residents of all ages and physical abilities…
Your Mind & Body: Sleepless Seniors
Insomnia is defined as having trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia affects 1 in 3 adults every year in the United States. Fifty percent of people over 65 years have various sleeping disorders. It can be transient, acute or chronic. Acute insomnia is brought on by situations such as stress at work, family pressures or a traumatic event. Chronic insomnia lasts for a month or longer and is the symptom or side effect of some other problem. Individuals with insomnia and short sleep duration are at increased risk for developing a number of health issues, including diabetes and hypertension.

Adults need 7½ to 8 hours of sleep each night. As we age our need for sleep decreases slightly to 6½ to 7 hours at night. Normal aging includes a general trend toward more time in bed but the same or less time asleep. Older people tend to go to sleep earlier in the evening and wake up for the day earlier in the morning. Compared with young adults, the elderly tend to have delayed sleep onset, fragmented sleep, early morning awakening and decreased time in deepest stages of sleep.

Causes of insomnia:

Changes in sleep patterns because of different work hours or travel

Acute stress, such as hospitalization or illness of a relative

Behavior-related problems, such as anxiety or depression

Medical problems, such as sleep apnea or hyperthyroidism

Use of alcohol or caffeine

Medicines, such as those used to treat heart problems and cancer

Pain, shortness of breath and other discomfort

How is insomnia diagnosed?

The health care provider will take an interview, perform a physical exam and take a blood sample for laboratory tests. A person may be asked to keep a sleep diary. The provider may order a sleep study that involves sleeping overnight in a sleep center.

How is it treated?

Avoid daily use of sleep medications as they can become addictive. Cognitive behavioral therapy encourages good sleep habits and uses several methods to relieve sleep anxiety. Techniques such as relaxation exercises sleep, restriction therapy and reconditioning may be useful.

Chronic insomnia involves treatment of the underlying disorder. For example, if insomnia is caused by depression, the medicine used to treat depression should help insomnia. In some situations, a medication may be prescribed to aid sleep. Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone) are some of the newer drugs on the market replacing benzodiazepines as sleeping pills. Herbal supplements such as Melatonin, L-tryptophan or Valerian tea are also used to treat insomnia.

What lifestyle changes are recommended?

Good sleep habits include:

Stick to a schedule of sleeping time and waking time

Get regular exercise

Avoid or limit caffeine or alcohol, especially after lunch

Stop smoking

Drink less liquids after dinner to avoid going to the toilet at night

Don’t eat a heavy meal late in the day

Finds way to relax before the bedtime, such as reading, warm bath, massage

Avoid or limit naps during the day

Do not read or watch television in bed

Minimize sleep interruption by closing the bedroom door to avoid noise and keeping the bedroom temperature comfortable
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Dr. Ritabelle Fernandes, MD, MPH, FACP is Clinical Associate Professor at the Geriatric Medicine Department of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i. She is board certified in Geriatric medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine and Home Care. She is a practicing physician at the Kokua Kalihi Valley and Kalihi-Palama Health Center.
Insomnia is defined as having trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia affects 1 in 3 adults every year in the United States. Fifty percent of people over 65 years have various sleeping disorders. It can be transient, acute or chronic. Acute insomnia is brought on by situations such as stress at work, family pressures or…
Genealogy is for Generations

Why is a hobby that revolves around dead people so popular?

Genealogy is derived from the Greek word genea, “generation” and “knowledge.” It is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history.

Oftentimes, family histories are passed down in the desire to preserve the past for future generations.

Hobbyist genealogists try to understand not just where and when people lived, but also their lifestyles, biographies and motivations. This often requires - or leads to – knowledge of antiquated laws, political boundaries, migration trends and socioeconomic or religious conditions.

Generations come and go. Who will know them? Who will keep track? Oftentimes, the sense of responsibility falls on the “senior generation,” as they hold most of the information, photos and papers. However, regardless of your age or generation, getting involved in your family genealogy and watching your tree grow with new an old faces can take you to unexpected places.

Genealogy and You

Who do you think you are? Your lineage? Do you want to know?

Apparently Americans do want to know who they are. Millions tune in each week to watch the T.V shows, Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots. Shows that deal with investigating the genealogy of celebrities.

These shows, each in their own compelling way, take a different celebrity on a journey into his or her family history. Viewers are taken on an emotional, personal and often mysterious quest as these celebrities discover their ancestors - many of whom had to overcome huge obstacles while struggling for freedom and opportunity.

Why is a hobby that revolves around dead people so popular? Genealogy has become the fastest growing hobby in North America. It has even surpassed scrap booking and gardening in popularity. According to Kim Farah, spokesperson for the Family History Library (LDS), it is because genealogy touches on a fundamental need. “It’s universal; it crosses all faiths and cultures. The benefits of knowing our heritage, of the sacrifices others have made for us, give us a sense of responsibility and self-esteem.”

Genealogy has also taken a giant scientific step forward. DNA can now to be organized into haplogroups that give insight into the broader scopes of racial makeup and ancestral migration patterns.

Most people know little of their ancestry. So, who were they – our unknown ancestors? Will we find pirates, smugglers, criminals? Perhaps we’ll discover we are descendents of queens, kings and noblemen? We each have our own stories: the black sheep, the Civil War hero, the ancestors who fled to the United States, or the lost family fortune. Now is the time to get out your faded pictures, start asking your oldest relations about what they know, and discover your own family history.

Local Genealogical Society

Honolulu County Genealogical Society meets on the second Saturday of each month. You may find more information online at www.honolulu-countygenealogicalsociety.blogspot.com. Or at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hihcgs.

Other resources are www.ancestry.com, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com, and .

Why is a hobby that revolves around dead people so popular? Genealogy is derived from the Greek word genea, “generation” and “knowledge.” It is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Oftentimes, family histories are passed down in the desire to preserve the past for future generations. Hobbyist genealogists try…
Time for Thanks!

Join in on healthy, summer events

Every once in a while an opportunity comes along to say, Thank you. We never grow too old to express our thanks, and we should graciously receive thanks from others. In truth, being thankful should be woven into the fabric of life. This is true for individuals and it is true for community organizations, such as the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i (NKFH).

This summer, with a weeklong series of free concerts, fairs and events, the NKFH would like to thank the community for its year-round support in the fight against kidney disease.

The signature event occurs in late June when NKFH hosts the XVI International Congress on Nutrition and Metabolism in Renal Disease and First World Renal Nutrition Week, from June 26 – 30, 2012. The congress is a biannual gathering of doctors, nutritionists and medical researchers in renal disease and nutrition from around the world.

Sixth Annual Peace on Earth Concert

Hawai‘i Theatre – June 27, 6:45 p.m.

Free admission; open to public

This concert event, with Al Waterson as emcee, will feature some of Hawai‘i’s best performing artists from a variety of music genres. Among the performing artists is Ginai performing with Pierre Grill, the Thursday Night Jazz Band, the a cappella choral group known as the Samoan Gospel Heralds, Haw’n Boy Mike Ka‘awa and his band, and The Carmen Haugen Quartet.

National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Health and Craft Fair

Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, Tapa Lounge – June 28, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Free admission; open to public

The National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Health and Craft Fair has two components, separately staged. The first component of the event is a craft fair featuring Hawaiian crafts made by local artisans.

The second component is a health fair that will offer various health screenings sponsored by WE, a “hui for health” program that provides health screenings throughout Hawai‘i in conjunction with other healthcare organizations. Screenings include spirometry, glucose, kidney, hepatitis and hearing tests. While anyone can contract kidney disease, people with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as certain ethnic groups such as Filipinos, Native Hawaiians, Japanese and others of Asian background are most at risk. A free screening can lead to early detection and treatment.

Quilted Memories Tour

Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, Tapa Lounge – June 26– 30

Free admission; open to public

The Quilted Memories Tour will be on display throughout the week in the Tapa Ballroom area. This tour features quilts made by families of organ donors. Each 7 x 7-inch square fabric swatch includes a “life vignette” that portrays a part of a donor’s life. Once the swatches are sewn together into a quilt, it is a powerful testimony of the ultimate gift of life. The Quilted Memories Tour is an outgrowth of the bereavement support group of the Hawai‘i Donor Family Council and is supported by the NKFH.

If you are a medical professional and want to attend the XVI International Congress on Nutrition and Metabolism in Renal Disease, or if you would like to attend the gala and silent auction on Friday evening, June 29, please contact jeff@kidneyhi.org.

National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i

589-5976 | www.kidneyhawaii.org

Join in on healthy, summer events Every once in a while an opportunity comes along to say, Thank you. We never grow too old to express our thanks, and we should graciously receive thanks from others. In truth, being thankful should be woven into the fabric of life. This is true for individuals and it…
All About Retirement

Social Security is as American as baseball and apple pie. Not everyone likes apples or baseball games, but almost every American who reaches retirement age will receive Social Security retirement benefits. In fact, 96 percent of Americans are covered by Social Security.

If you’re ready to retire in the near future, this article is for you. We’d like to share with you a few important items about Social Security retirement benefits and how to apply for them.

When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits.

To qualify for retirement benefits, 10 years is the minimum. However, the amount of your benefit is determined by how long you work and how much you earn. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years when you did not work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily or earned more.

Also, your age when you retire makes a difference in your benefit amount. The full retirement age (the age at which full retirement benefits are payable) has been gradually rising from age 65 to age 67. You can retire as early as age 62, but if benefits start before you reach your full retirement age, your monthly payment is reduced. Find out what your full retirement age is by referring to the convenient chart in our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html. It’s in the second section.

Just as you can choose an early retirement and get a reduced payment, you also can choose to keep working beyond your full retirement age to take advantage of a larger payment. Your benefit will increase automatically by a certain percentage from the time you reach your full retirement age until you start receiving your benefits or until you reach age 70.

The decision of when to retire is an individual one and depends on a number of personal factors. To help you weigh the factors, we suggest you read our online fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

You may want to consider your options by using our Retirement Estimator to get instant, personalized estimates of future benefits. You can plug in different retirement ages and scenarios to help you make a more informed retirement decision. Try it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

When you decide to retire, the easiest and most convenient way to do it is right from the comfort of your home or office computer. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, there are no forms to sign or documents to send; once you submit your electronic application, that’s it!

In addition to using our award-winning website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY, 1-800-325-0778) or visit the Social Security office nearest you.

Either way you choose to apply, be sure to have your bank account information handy so we can set up your payments to be deposited directly into your account.

To learn more, please read our publication, Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html.

Social Security is as American as baseball and apple pie. Not everyone likes apples or baseball games, but almost every American who reaches retirement age will receive Social Security retirement benefits. In fact, 96 percent of Americans are covered by Social Security. If you’re ready to retire in the near future, this article is for…
Got Game? Show it with this Recipe: Mini BBQ Chicken & Carmelized Onion Sandwiches
Perfect for game time. Set it up in your crock pot and you won’t even miss a pitch.

Ingredients

Pre-roasted chicken is best for this recipe — you can’t beat it for the convenience and flavor. This is an easy recipe to make using your crock pot, or you can slowly cook it on your stovetop. All it requires is gentle simmering. If you have some coleslaw handy, it goes great in the sandwiches!

2 large onions, sliced thick

1 Tbs. olive oil

4-5 cups roasted chicken, shredded

1 cup prepared BBQ sauce

Salt & ground black pepper, to taste

Dinner rolls

Directions (Serves 6 to 8)

In a large saucepan with the olive oil, cook the onions until they are fully browned and caramelized – they will have lost most of their moisture and turned a beautiful golden-brown color. Mix in the chicken, BBQ sauce and season. Then cover and cook on low heat for 40 minutes (or put into a crock pot on high and walk away!). Check back to stir occasionally, if the liquid seems to be evaporating too quickly, add a little water. When ready to serve, cut each dinner roll and scoop about a 1/4 cup of the mixture on each roll.

Chef Michi’s recipes center on healthy yet easy to prepare flavor-packed dishes. Visit www.cookingfreshforyou.com or contact Michi at cookingfreshforyou@gmail.com or (808) 286-6484.
Perfect for game time. Set it up in your crock pot and you won’t even miss a pitch. Ingredients Pre-roasted chicken is best for this recipe — you can’t beat it for the convenience and flavor. This is an easy recipe to make using your crock pot, or you can slowly cook it on your stovetop. All…
Assistive Technology on Loan

Have you ever wanted to try a new technology without having to buy it? If so, you may be interested in the AT Depot/Equipment Loan Program — it is one of five programs offered by Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ARTC) of Hawai‘i. The center is a 501c (3) non-profit organization that receives federal funds to provide assistive technology. Last year, the center celebrated 20 years of service in the Islands.

The assistive technology devices are designed for individuals with learning, mobility, hearing and vision challenges. Examples of devices that can borrowed include telephone amplifiers, hearing amplifiers, hand-held magnifiers, iPads, intel readers, pocket pro talkers, smart pens and more.

The program allows you to take the assistive devices home to explore and use on your own terms. If you need help with the technology, the ATRC offers training and demonstrations. Once you give the device a test run, you simply return it to the ARTC. If you choose to purchase the device, ARTC can help you locate a vendor. Funding information and options are also available so you can get the technology you want and need.

The latest mobility aid in the ARTC’s depot is the iGlasses. Designed for the blind and visually impaired, the iGlasses is a perfect complement to a walking cane or guide dog. It is a head-mounted device that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect objects as far as 10 feet away. Gentle vibrations on the lenses alert the wearer of objects, and the vibrations increase as objects become closer. It is definitely something to “see”!

Assistive Technology Resource Centers
www.atrc.org | 532-7115 | 1-800-645-3007

Have you ever wanted to try a new technology without having to buy it? If so, you may be interested in the AT Depot/Equipment Loan Program — it is one of five programs offered by Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ARTC) of Hawai‘i. The center is a 501c (3) non-profit organization that receives federal funds to provide assistive…
The Third Guarantee: Change
An often-heard quote about lifetime guarantees is the one about death and taxes. I would suggest that there is a third guarantee — that life changes. Nothing stays the same. So, once you’ve completed your estate plan, you’ll want to review it every so often to address life’s changes. What could a review with your estate planner do for you?

First, reviewing your plan will force you to locate it. Often, after we prepare an estate plan, we put it in a very safe place. And, sometimes, we forget where that very safe place is. Take your plan out every once in a while, dust it off, review it and remind key people of its location.

Second, a review can ensure that you’ve properly funded your trusts. Check your beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement accounts, and make sure that other assets are properly titled in the trust. This not only helps you avoid probate, it also ensures that the correct beneficiaries receive the distributions. All too often, we find that life insurance or retirement accounts do not have beneficiaries listed, or that the beneficiary was not changed due to life changes. For example, a client’s wife recently passed away. Prior to her getting married, she had named her mother as beneficiary of a life insurance policy. She had every intention for the proceeds to go to her husband and their child. However, she did not change the beneficiary to note this change.

Third, because relationships are fragile and change, reviewing your estate plan allows you to examine your relationship with the people you’ve named as guardian, agent under powers of attorney and trustee. Make sure that they are still the one’s that you want to make decisions for you during any period of incapacity or to follow out your instructions upon your death.

Fourth, you can see how your beneficiaries are doing. For example, you can explore questions such as:

Are my children now adults and not in need of guardianship?

How are my young adult children doing? Do they need more time to mature before they handle a significant amount of money?

Have some of my beneficiaries gotten into trouble with drugs, the law or misspending of money?

Have marriages, new births, divorce, death or other circumstances changed relationships?

These questions can help you determine whether you want to change the time and manner of distributions.

Fifth, you can meet with a lawyer to get an update on any law changes, tax or otherwise. It’s an opportunity to discuss any changes in the community standards and policies as they relate to estate planning. For example, during the past couple of years, many financial institutions have established policies where they will not accept powers of attorney older than 2 or 3 years old. A couple of financial institutions have established policies that they simply will not accept powers of attorney.

So much like with your physician, dentist, automobile mechanic and financial advisor, you will want to get an estate planning check-up and tune-up every now and then.

Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law | 2054 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com
An often-heard quote about lifetime guarantees is the one about death and taxes. I would suggest that there is a third guarantee — that life changes. Nothing stays the same. So, once you’ve completed your estate plan, you’ll want to review it every so often to address life’s changes. What could a review with your estate planner…
Coaching and Teaching

On the cover of this magazine, you will see former UH baseball coach Les Murakami. Over the years, he’s made a tremendous difference in the lives of young men. He has a stadium named after him, afterall.

My dad was also a coach. I still hear from people 50 years later who tell me what an impact he had on their lives. And very little of his influence had anything to do with athletic endeavors. He was a coach, but first and foremost, he was a teacher. He taught us [yes, he was my coach, too] about discipline, hard work, teamwork and pride. But most of all, he taught us how to be men. Coaches and teachers have a more profound impact on their young charges than they may realize. As a coach, you are tired when you get home. And you may wonder if any of your lessons reached the youngsters. Believe me, they do.

Coach Murakami has the wonderful opportunity to recognize that fact. But to all of you who touch the lives of young people, as teachers, coaches and mentors, I ask you to think about it every day.

There is no more important task in our lives than teaching the lessons we have learned. It can be as simple as looking both ways before crossing the street, or as complex as the relationship between men and women. As you know, that can be complex!

To coach Murakami, my deepest congratulations and heartfelt, Hurrah! To my dad and all the other coaches, a loud, Hurrah!

I got to be a coach once. It was a long time ago. One of my young basketball players now helps my mother through knee rehabilitation. You just never know. Keep on coaching.

On the cover of this magazine, you will see former UH baseball coach Les Murakami. Over the years, he’s made a tremendous difference in the lives of young men. He has a stadium named after him, afterall. My dad was also a coach. I still hear from people 50 years later who tell me what…
Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?
By age 65, one-third of all Americans have a vision-impairing eye disease. However, poor sight doesn’t have to be a part of aging. By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual eye exams, seniors can preserve their sight.

In the U.S. there are four common eye diseases: glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. As with any other health issue, it is better to catch these problems early, as there are often no warning signs.

During a comprehensive annual eye health check, your eye care professional will:

check eye pressure, as high eye pressure can be a risk factor for glaucoma

dilate your eyes to get a clear view of your retina and check for macular degeneration

evaluate the blood vessels of the retina to check for diabetic retinopathy

check for cataracts with a variety of tests

Cataracts rarely pose any real health concern for the eye. They can, however, interfere with your vision and affect quality of life. Traditional cataract implants only allow focus at one distance. Newer technologies include cataract implants such as the Crystalens that mimic a younger eye’s natural ability to focus at near and far.

Also, several advancements in dry eye treatment, including a tear osmolarity analyzer, have recently been released.

Dr. John Olkowski and Dr. Jon Etter of EyeSight Hawaii say that annual eye exams are a must for seniors, especially for diabetics who should have annual dilated eye exams to evaluate the retina closely. Both doctors are ophthalmologists with specialty in cornea and cataract surgery. EyeSight Hawaii’s office is current with the latest technologies and procedures, and prides itself in catering to senior patients.

EyeSight Hawaii, 650 Iwilei Road, Ste. 210. | 808-735-1935 or visit eyesighthawaii.com
By age 65, one-third of all Americans have a vision-impairing eye disease. However, poor sight doesn’t have to be a part of aging. By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual eye exams, seniors can preserve their sight. In the U.S. there are four common eye diseases: glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.…
Lookout: Contractor Scams

Recently, across the Islands, senior citizens have become the target of “contractor” scams, where scammers perform home improvement and repairs that ultimately cheat or rip off consumers. Senior citizens are often the target of these scams primarily because they are more likely to be home during the day, have some form of steady income or a savings in place. And, many seniors tend to have a trusting nature and find it difficult to tell door-to-door solicitors ‘no.’

The most common type of contracting scam is the pavement scam, where scammers go door-to-door offering to pave driveways for homeowners. Other types of contracting scams include plumbing, roofing, remodeling and yard service projects. Usually these scammers will find something “wrong” with your house and will “repair” it with inferior quality and materials.

Warning signs that generally indicate a scam:

Selling door-to-door: True contractors will rarely sell their services door-to-door.

Left over from another job: Contractors know their material and most of the time there is no left over.

The quick decision: Take the time to think about it, never hire someone on the spot, and always get at least two estimates from different contractors.

No Contract: Get it all in writing. Write up a contract specifying the amount of work to be done and the total price.

Cash Only and Upfront Fees: The majority of contractors will accept forms of payment other than cash. Beware of those who demand full payment before the job is even started.

For any job, get a written estimate, compare prices and check references, licensing and insurance.

If you’re having problems with a contractor or if you feel that you have been scammed, please call the BBB. The BBB can offer help and get the word out to others in the community.

For more information on how to hire contractors, please visit www.hawaii.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau of Hawai‘i1132 Bishop Street #615, Honolulu, HI 96813-2813
Phone & Phone Hours:808-536-6956 (O‘ahu) | 877-222-6551(Neighbor Islands) | 808-628-3970 (Fax) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Mon. – Thurs., 9:00 am – Noon, Friday
File Complaint: www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/

Recently, across the Islands, senior citizens have become the target of “contractor” scams, where scammers perform home improvement and repairs that ultimately cheat or rip off consumers. Senior citizens are often the target of these scams primarily because they are more likely to be home during the day, have some form of steady income or…
Who’s on First?

The humor behind the classic comedy routine, Who’s on first?, comes from the fact that the speakers are using identical terms to mean different things. Yet they both pretend not to recognize the problem. The language of estate planning can raise problems for the uninitiated, and the problems may not be funny at all. The vocabulary of estate planning is very precise, and a seemingly innocuous slip of the tongue can make a world of difference.

A good example is the term “estate.” What does it mean? Does it mean land, as in “real estate,” or what passes by way of my Will, as in “probate estate,” or does it mean what is subjected to “estate tax” after I am gone? It can mean a wide variety of things, depending on the context and the adjectives that surround it.

Because the word “estate” is central to estate planning, here is a brief glossary of the most common uses of the term.

An “estate” can be land, or just an interest in land. An example of an interest in land is a life estate. A life estate gives the owner the right to use the land for the life tenant’s lifetime, but then the estate terminates and the land goes to the remaindermen (a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit property upon the termination of the former estate owner).

Probate estate is whatever you own at death that will pass by way of your Last Will and Testament. It might include such things as land, bank accounts, cars and jewelry.

But wait! How come an estate tax return covers not only a person’s probate estate, but also things that have nothing to do with the persaon’s probate estate — like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, jointly-owned assets and trust assets? That is because your estate for estate tax purposes includes just about everything you own or control at the moment of your death. However, with the right estate planning, you can have a lot of control over assets that are not included in your estate for estate tax purposes.

For example, assets (sometimes called a trust estate) that you own and control as the trustee of a trust may or may not be part of your taxable estate, just depending on the words in the trust agreement that say what you can do with the trust estate. Choosing the right words is critical.

You can see how proper estate planning requires careful attention to detail and precise use of language. Helpful legal information at www.hawaiilaw.tv. You also can find elder care information by clicking here.

SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Attorney at Law of Est8Planning Counsel LLLC, specializing in estate planning and trust law.
Honolulu: (808) 587-8227 | Maui: (808) 891-8881 | Email: maku@est8planning.com
www.est8planning.com

The humor behind the classic comedy routine, Who’s on first?, comes from the fact that the speakers are using identical terms to mean different things. Yet they both pretend not to recognize the problem. The language of estate planning can raise problems for the uninitiated, and the problems may not be funny at all. The…