Category: Articles

  • The Heart of Chinese Culture & Cuisine

    China is the top rice-producing country in the world; it accounts for more than 144 million metric tons of the grain annually or 28% of the global output. The per-capita consumption of rice there is estimated to be a whopping 220 pounds per year, compared to 27 pounds for the average American and 100 pounds…

  • Kūpuna Movie Mornings at Hawaii Theatre

    In May 2024, Hawaii Theatre Center launched a partnership with the Hawai‘i LGBT Legacy Foundation to host Kūpuna Movie Mornings, a monthly “pay what you can” film series created to provide seniors, the LGBT community and cinema lovers in general the opportunity to socialize and watch a classic movie in a safe, welcoming environment at…

  • Popo’s Almond Cookies

    While delicious at any time of year, Chinese almond cookies are often made and shared during the Lunar New Year celebration. Symbolism plays an important role in the foods enjoyed during Chinese holidays; these round cookies are thought to resemble coins and signify wealth. Popo (grandma) made her Chinese almond cookies during other special occasions,…

  • Celebrating Chinese Influence in Hawai‘i

    People from all over the globe have made their homes in Hawai‘i. The first to migrate and settle here were the Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands and Tahiti about 1,500 years ago. Since then, Hawai‘i has continuously welcomed immigrants from every corner of the globe, cultivating and perpetuating a tapestry of diverse cultures. In this…

  • My Dream Came True

    A poem by Linda Warne As a teen, I had a dream.It might seem common to some,yet not to others.It seemed so vivid.I was a bride,standing in a long wedding gownand there he was,a tall young man standing next to me.All I could see were our backs. While at college at the age of 20,I…

  • 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.…

  • SS Benefits Increase 2.5% in 2025

    Social Security (SS) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5% in 2025. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month for single recipients, $75 for couples. Nearly 68 million SS beneficiaries will see the 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase…

  • Social Security Changes Access to In-Person Services

    Appointment-based services at local Social Security offices are expanding, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Nov. 14, 2024. In the SSA’s ongoing commitment to serve the public more efficiently, it aims to reduce wait times, streamline service delivery, and improve the overall customer experience by scheduling appointments. Nearly 400 field offices have already moved…

  • Making Memories

    Making Memories

    Road Scholar, originally founded as Elderhostel in the 1970s, offers educational travel programs for adults aged 50 and older, with a growing focus on multigenerational trips for grandparents and grandchildren. These programs foster bonding through shared learning experiences. Jane Austgen and her granddaughter Maya participated in the “Spy Kids” program, exploring Washington, D.C., and deepening…

  • Prepare Today, Protect Tomorrow

    In our island community, where the bonds of family and tradition run deep, facing a long-term care event is one of the most challenging experiences we may encounter. Such events can place emotional, physical and financial strains on even the strongest ‘ohana. Without a clear and thoughtful plan, families often find themselves making difficult decisions…

  • Naughty or Nice?

    Your estate plan is the set of documents that you use to say who gets your stuff when you go. It is also where you can say who doesn’t get any of your stuff — with some important exceptions. In most states, you can disinherit everybody but your spouse. You can even disinherit the IRS.…

  • Is Travel on Your Retirement Agenda?

    One of the great benefits of retirement is having the freedom to pursue new interests and hobbies at your leisure. For many, travel is at the top of their retirement bucket list. The key question is how to make sure your retirement savings can keep up with your travel ambitions. The following considerations can help…