Category: Articles

  • Honoring Emmet White

    The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society will honor Emmet White at its virtual fundraiser on Nov. 4. His service and dedication to so many families, and his professional career serving kūpuna through the Arcadia Family of Companies, Hawaii Long Term Care Association, Hawaii Healthcare Association and the Central Union Church are legendary.

  • Veterans to Gather for Memorial Celebration

    For the past 20-plus years at midnight on the 23rd of December, a gathering of veterans has taken place near the Capitol, by the memorial for our Korean and Vietnam brethren. The group includes men and women who have served in various campaigns. It is a big crowd.

  • Lei of Aloha

    Lei of Aloha

    Lei Day, May 1, is dedicated to the Hawaiian tradition of making and giving lei. But some may not know the the tradition entails much more than the officially dedicated day. The traditions that surround lei make them appropriate for many occasions. Hawaiian tradition also offers particular lei for celebrations and seasonal events.

  • Define Your Legacy’s Intentions

    According to the book, Preparing Heirs: Five Steps to a Successful Transition of Family Wealth and Values, “60 percent of transition failures were caused by a breakdown of communication and trust within the family unit.” With the aging demographic of baby boomers, the high cost of living in Hawai‘i and the increase in multigenerational homes,…

  • Ingredients for Cooking Up a Scam

    In the dozen-plus years I have specialized in prosecuting elder financial fraud cases at the Prosecutor’s Office, it has become pretty easy for me to spot and disassemble how the majority of scams work. Like how a master chef can taste a dish and tell you the ingredients he tastes, I can smell a “business…

  • Give While You Live

    Making gifts to your loved ones during your lifetime will enable you to see how your beneficiaries handle newfound wealth. This could be a great way to “test drive” your estate plan and determine how well it works while you are still able to make adjustments. If one beneficiary turns out to be a poor…

  • Demystifying Life Insurance

    The COVID-19 pandemic reminded Americans how fragile life is. Applications for life insurance policies in the United States increased 4 percent in 2020, according to the MIB Life Index. If you’re thinking about purchasing life insurance coverage, here’s some basic information to help you make an informed decision.

  • Are You Ready for Medicare?

    Turning 65? Congratulations! You  are now eligible for Medicare! But what do you do next? Firstly, it’s important to know that your Initial Enrollment Period or IEP begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after your 65th birthday. Secondly, you aren’t required to sign up for Medicare.

  • Advance Designation

    The Social Security Administration’s Advance Designation program allows you to pre-select a trusted individual if a time comes when you need a representative payee to help manage your money. Advance Designation enables you to identify up to three people, in priority order, who you would like to serve as your potential representative payee.

  • Benefits Enrollment Center

    The Benefits Enrollment Center program helps low-income kūpuna 65-plus and disabled Medicare beneficiaries to access food benefits. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, kūpuna were encouraged to stay home and self-isolate. Dining in restaurants or grocery shopping became difficult for all of us, but particularly for seniors who were most vulnerable.

  • ATRC Links People With Assistive Technology

    Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawai‘i (ATRC) is a nonprofit resource center that provides information about assistive technology (AT) to persons with disabilities, as well as their family members, employers and educators. Its mission is to link people with AT and empower individuals through its use.

  • Caregivers Can Help Seniors Downsize

    When the time comes for Mom and Dad to move or downsize for safety reasons, they may find it difficult to decide what to do with what they consider to be their precious heirlooms. Designating items to friends, family or charities in a will or trust will ensure their destination, while passing on these items…