Category: Articles

  • Move US to Racial Justice


    MoveMeHawai‘i is a joint effort of the Beta Beta Gamma Foundation and the Hawaii State Bar Foundation with the objectives of educating the public about social justice issues, promoting community unity, and supporting organizations that provide legal or social services to the underserved. This October, MoveMeHawai‘i is presenting a free, online community education program, Move US to Racial Justice, which will include an award-winning film and a lively panel discussion about racial discrimination during World War II and how we can move together to combat systemic racism that continues today.

    A Documentary: ALTERNATIVE FACTS

    Throughout October, participants can view Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066, a compelling documentary about the false information and political influences that led to the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. This film, an Honorable Mention for the 2020 American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, sheds light on the people, prejudice, and politics behind the lies and deliberate withholding of critical information that influenced the signing of the infamous Executive Order 9066 and US Supreme Court reviews of that order.

    Panel Discussion

    On Oct. 25 at 2 p.m., MoveMeHawai‘i will present a live, online panel discussion of the film and how it relates to the ongoing social injustices faced by US minority groups. The Black Lives Matter movement, Hawai‘i’s own racial issues, and alliances of people of all ethnicities in support of racial equality will be discussed by Jon Ozaki, the filmmaker and visionary of Alternative Facts; Camille Nelson, the new dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law and a leading scholar on critical race theory; and Avi Soifer, the immediate past dean of the law school and a constitutional law expert.

    Submit questions for the panelists in advance via the online registration form or use the online chatbox during the live panel. The discussion and the film will both be available through Oct. 31.

    MOVE ME HAWAI‘I (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    For details, film and panel discussion registrations:
    MoveMeHawaii@gmail.com | www.MoveMeHawaii.org.
    Access links will be sent for the film, the live panel discussion and the recorded panel discussion.

    This October, MoveMeHawai‘i is presenting a free, online community education program, Move US to Racial Justice, which will include an award-winning film and a lively panel discussion about racial discrimination during World War II and how we can move together to combat systemic racism that continues today.

  • Organized. Happy. Safe.

    As we age, staying organized and living in an uncluttered space can help reduce the stress of transitioning into different phases of life. Many seniors find themselves needing or wanting to downsize from a family home to a smaller space, such as an apartment, retirement community or multigenerational family space. Taking the time to sort through possessions accumulated over the years will make downsizing or aging in place less stressful and improve your overall health. Here are tips to help you create an organized living space:

    • Keep only those belongings most precious to you. Share other items with family and friends who will treasure them or donate items to your favorite charity for someone else to enjoy.
    • Create large, open areas for easy mobility and cleaning. Remove any unused furniture and keep steps and hallways clear of clutter.
    • Make frequently used items accessible. Store items between waist- and upper thigh-level to prevent bending over or reaching overhead.
    • Label drawers and cabinets to make it easier for you and/or caregivers to find items.
    • Use clear or translucent boxes for storage.
    • Store important documents in a secure location.

    Living in a clean and organized home is beneficial at any phase of life. Just set aside a little time each day to declutter. Remember, don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help!

    SIMPLY ORGANIZED by City Mill – Kahala Mall
    4211 Waialae Ave., Ste. #1200, Honolulu, HI 96816
    808-739-7007 | www.simplyorganizedhi.com

    As we age, staying organized and living in an uncluttered space can help reduce the stress of transitioning into different phases of life. Many seniors find themselves needing or wanting to downsize from a family home to a smaller space, such as an apartment, retirement community or multigenerational family space. Taking the time to sort…

  • Plan for Tomorrow Today

    {Play}

    To help relieve their families from stress at an already stressful time, an increasing number of people are planning their own funerals and designating their funeral preferences — sometimes paying for them in advance.

    It does not have to be a complicated process. In fact, many funeral providers have created preplanning guides that allow clients to document important details and wishes. Some providers offer online webinars to inform viewers of the options they have to preplan arrangements from the comfort of their homes.

    Preplanning will provide comfort to your loved ones and give them the confidence that comes from knowing they are honoring your wishes and following through with your plans exactly as you wanted.

    Be sure to tell your family about the plans you’ve made, including if you have prepaid. Preplanning your cemetery and funeral needs will make a difficult time just a bit easier for your family. Do it for yourself; do it for your family.

    VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES MEMORIAL PARK
    47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744
    808-824-3426 | fred.collins@vothi.com
    www.Valley-Of-The-Temples.com

    We will all face the inevitable some day. No one likes to think about their eventual passing, but loved ones can be spared anxiety and uncertainty about your final wishes if you take time now to preplan your cemetery and funeral arrangements.

  • 101 Caregiver Stories

    {Play}

    Currently, more than 29,000 people in Hawai‘i are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and over 65,000 family members and friends are providing their care, according the the Alzheimer’s Association website (www.alz.org/hawaii).

    Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing offers Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: 101 Stories of Caregiving, Coping, and Compassion, a collection of personal stories of love and lessons written by caregivers especially for caregivers. This joint project with the Alzheimer’s Association aims to provide support, advice, encouragement and comfort for caregivers, as well as those living with Alzheimer’s. Chapters includes stories that touch on topics such as, what it’s like to have Alzheimer’s, advice from other families, keeping marriages strong and loving, the role of laughter, and powerful music and art therapies. The book is full of heartfelt reflections and heart wrenching truths told by those who have endured seeing a loved one in the clutches of a cruel thief.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: 101 Stories of Caregiving, Coping, and Compassion by Amy Newmark and Angela Geiger All royalties go to the Alzheimer’s Association. The book is available at most bookstores and online.

    If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, know that you are not alone. Know that you are not the only one who has experienced the wrath of these diseases or felt the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies watching a loved one disappear.

  • What’s Happening to Papa?

    Pomai has become worried as she sees Papa, her grandfather, become more forgetful. She wants Papa to play with her, but he is losing his memory and is no longer able to make poi with her or take her to the beach. In Pomai and Her Papa: Growing Up with Memory Loss and Holding On to What Matters Most, a short, illustrated storybook, Pomai sets off on her journey to learn how to help Papa and her family. She receives guidance from a teacher, social worker and doctor, who help her understand what is happening to Papa. The story educates young caregivers about dementia, including the most common form, Alzheimer’s disease, and offers age-appropriate ways to help.

    “People in Hawai‘i are especially affected by Alzheimer’s disease, in part because of the high rate of multigenerational homes here,” said Professor Colette Browne, one of the book’s co-authors.

    “Children are deeply affected by dementia in their families, and yet often they are not viewed as caregivers who need education and support.”

    This free booklet includes information on local and national resources where youth and families can seek answers and find support. It was written by Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. It is published and distributed through Hā Kūpuna project, a resource center for Native Hawaiian elders and their families.

    FREE PDF:
    www.manoa.hawaii.edu/hakupuna/pomai-and-her-papa
    HARD COPIES:
    muneokas@hawaii.edu

    Pomai has become worried as she sees Papa, her grandfather, become more forgetful. She wants Papa to play with her, but he is losing his memory and is no longer able to make poi with her or take her to the beach. In Pomai and Her Papa: Growing Up with Memory Loss and Holding On…

  • Educating Students Supports Our Kūpuna

    The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, organized in 1979, is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of Hawai‘i’s kūpuna. One of the missions of HPGS is to raise funds and award scholarships to college students interested in careers involving aging and older people. The society just awarded three scholarships for the 2020 fall classes.

    One such awardee is University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu student Dani Waring, who wrote to HPGS. “This scholarship allows me to pay for one fall course and subsequent study books so I don’t have to rely on my income, and it will help me realize my goal of being a nursing administrator.”

    The society is also excited about the next set of awardees for 2021. In this upcoming event, HPGS is doing it differently and going virtual

    The fourth annual HPGS Scholarship Fundraiser will be held virtually on Nov. 6 with Gerontologist Cullen Hayashida as the honoree. He has helped develop over 50 elder care service projects in hospital, nursing home, home care, college and community settings. Entertainer-comedian Frank Delima will serve as the emcee. All proceeds will go to the scholarship fund. Sign up, register and donate to this worthy event online.

    HAWAII PACIFIC GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
    P. O. Box 3714, Honolulu, HI 96812
    www.hpgs.org | 808-722-8487 | sgoyallc@aol.com
    HPGS’s enrollment is open throughout the year for those interested in being part of an association that educates, communicates and continues to bring together its membership for the common goal of servicing Hawai‘i’s elders.

    The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society, organized in 1979, is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of Hawai‘i’s kūpuna. One of the missions of HPGS is to raise funds and award scholarships to college students interested in careers involving aging and older people. The society just awarded three scholarships for the 2020 fall…

  • Help Is On The Way During COVID-19

    With the reopening of the state after shutdowns mandated by local government in recent months, kūpuna and other vulnerable people have become more fearful of venturing out into the community to shop and run errands as the coronavirus continues to spread with more people out in public. The demand for food, supplies and assistance has grown in response to unemployment. An increasing number of kūpuna say they do not have sufficient resources to feed themselves.

    Help Is On The Way

    To address these issues, Gregory R. Kim cofounded Help Is On The Way in March 2020, a nonprofit grassroots  organization that offers free pickup and delivery service on O‘ahu to help meet the needs of kūpuna who are restricted to their homes, those who are quarantined and individuals with medical conditions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Services are Simple to Use

    Pickup and delivery items include groceries and household goods, prepared and frozen meals, farmers’ market produce, toiletries, prescriptions, appliances and other deliverables. Typically, Help Is On The Way clients order and pay for groceries, and volunteers pick them up and deliver them. (Volunteers do not shop or handle money.) The organization also guides clients to other agencies and resources that might assist them.

    The organization has also stepped up to help with Hawai‘i’s food security needs with its own food drives in partnership with Central Union Church that collect nonperishable food and toiletries. Angel Food Network volunteer drivers across O‘ahu have a ready supply of bags of food for quick delivery upon request to kūpuna and others.

    How to arrange a pickup and delivery

    STEP 1: Place an order by calling a store, pay, get a confirmation number.
    STEP 2: Contact Help Is On The Way to request delivery of your order. (Delivery may take one to two days.)
    STEP 3: Volunteers will deliver your items to your location.

    Help Is On The Way is a member of the Kupuna Food Security Coalition managed by the City and County of Honolulu, Elder Care Division; and the Aloha United Way 211 network. Contact Help Is On The Way for a delivery, to make a donation or to sign up as a volunteer, through the information provided below.

    HELP IS ON THE WAY
    1926 Kakela Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822
    406-426-1013 | hihelpisontheway@gmail.com
    www.hihelpisontheway.org
    Help Is On The Way also connects those who cannot afford food with programs and organizations that can help.

    With the reopening of the state after shutdowns mandated by local government in recent months, kūpuna and other vulnerable people have become more fearful of venturing out into the community to shop and run errands as the coronavirus continues to spread with more people out in public. The demand for food, supplies and assistance has…

  • Keeping Kūpuna On the Move is Essential

    An interview with Denise Soderholm of Soderholm Mobility Inc.

    How has the transport business for seniors been affected by COVID-19?

    Initially, I think the overall private transport business literally fell off a cliff in early March as tourism abruptly stopped and the State of Hawai‘i went into lockdown. The businesses in Hawai‘i quickly came together to provide solutions to safely transport our kūpuna. Fortunately, transport vehicles for retirement facilities and adult day programs have still operated. I was glad that was happening because transportation is vital for our seniors, even though they’ve cut back on traveling because of the lockdown mandates. But the necessary travels to the doctor are essential, as well as to the grocery store and pharmacy. Right now, a lot has fallen onto family for transportation — and that has caused an extra burden for them. However, there have been alternative solutions that businesses have adopted and included in their services, such as special senior and disabled shopping hours as well as store-to-door delivery so that the most vulnerable can still obtain their necessary medications or food.

    During the state’s pandemic mandates, how have client services changed?

    Well, the most obvious for businesses was to incorporate extra safety measures to keep staff, technicians and customers secure. Safety concerns for the more vulnerable and aged populations were paramount for everyone. COVID-19 just couldn’t take hold in those businesses. Many acquired new disinfectant products that are known to be effective for up to 30 days.

    How are seniors faring with changing businesses and client services?

    We’re in such a different time now. Everything around us just seems to be moving by so quickly. So I can only imagine how our seniors are viewing the world around them. I don’t expect them to keep up, but it just seems you almost have to, because technology is now playing a major part in our lives. Seniors must learn the devices we are using in our shifting business landscape.

    Our business as well as many others are focusing on maintaining client communication via tablets, smartphones or what have you. FaceTime and Zoom are being widely used for one-on-one interaction and demonstrations with customers. Something that was once done in person is now an alternative norm — such as virtually examining new mobility equipment. Of course, the old phone call interaction is still always available. But definitely going virtual for businesses has dialed up the client services format.

    YouTube videos are also another method businesses used as they began to think out of the box. Video demonstrations have been popular and businesses have incorporated those videos into their websites. And that’s where and how businesses are adjusting. Not only are clients able to get information about certain products, but transactions are done completely from their own home.

    While online shopping may be popular, we need to recognize the importance of buying local. Warranty, service and repair for products purchased is best done on a local basis by a trusted provider. We want to recognize that as we all try to rebuild our local Hawai‘i economy.

    For businesses in the senior industry, what has been the biggest challenge overall?

    The biggest challenge in this COVID-19 environment was the initial shock and stress of how to do business with restrictions and constantly changing situations. Thinking out of the box was required. With that, new opportunities became available. In a way, there’s always a silver lining to every situation because it forces you to adapt and be flexible, and to change along with uncertain footing. You certainly remain light on your feet just so you’re always prepared.

    In conjunction with the first question, I think the biggest challenge overall for seniors, still, is travel. Travel is such an integral part of our daily lives. We never thought twice about it before this pandemic. We’ve taken that and a lot of other things for granted; socialization stands out enormously. Seniors aren’t able to attend their daily social events, such as going to the park, a friend’s house, a senior club, etc. Travel is essential as they need to get from point A to point B.

    Businesses in this industry must know the importance they play in this modality. They have stepped up and found creative ways to continue their business while keeping seniors mobile in a safe environment.

    I have no doubt that the businesses that serve the disabled and aged communities in Hawai‘i will continue to evolve.

    How do you think Generations Magazine has impacted our kūpuna community?

    I would say Generations Magazine has made a great impact by providing a plethora of valuable information for our kūpuna and their related community. As an individual with mobility challenges, I started reading the magazine in the doctor’s office years before I dreamed of being close to the kūpuna target age group.

    Generations Magazine contains so many resources and I learn something new with each issue. The Generations community of contributors is also one of compassion and understanding. To have a single, reliable source of ku¯ puna-related information is vital to our community.

    We’re proud and honored to be a Generations Magazine partner!

    Initially, I think the overall private transport business literally fell off a cliff in early March as tourism abruptly stopped and the State of Hawai‘i went into lockdown. The businesses in Hawai‘i quickly came together to provide solutions to safely transport our kūpuna.

  • Beware of Coronavirus Scams!

    Cybercriminals and online fraudsters are sending out phishing emails, text messages and setting up robocalls offering “discounted” coronavirus test kits, masks and even hand sanitizers — all bogus offerings — in an attempt to scam the public.

    Claiming to be medical experts, they are also advertising bogus treatments and vaccines.

    They are also creating fake websites purporting to be the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) or even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and tricking unsuspecting visitors into clicking on links that will infect their devices with malware that steals financial and personal information.

    Phishing emails have also offered to expedite government relief checks.

    Here are some preventive tips on how not to be duped by these cybercriminals:

    • Beware of online requests for personal information, such as your Social Security number.
    • Check the email address or link. You can inspect a link by hovering your mouse button over the URL to see where it leads.
    • Do not click on links in emails or texts.
    • Watch for spelling and punctuation mistakes, and bad grammar.
    • Beware of contact tracing scams. Do not provide personal information or click on any links from an unverified source.
    • Avoid emails that insist you act now. Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action.
    • Do not download, view or open any email attachments sent to you.
    • Do not reply to the email, text message or robocall.
    • Ignore online offers for vaccinations. They do not exist yet.
    • Be wary of ads for test kits. Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA and are not accurate.

    If you feel you have been victimized by a scam, contact your financial institution or credit card company, and report it to your local law enforcement agency.

    THE DEPARTMENT OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
    1060 Richards St., Honolulu, HI 96813
    808-768-7400 | Office hrs: Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 4:30 pm
    www.honoluluprosecutor.org/contact-us/

    It may be hard to believe, but even during the coronavirus pandemic, criminals are targeting and preying upon the public via phony websites, bogus emails and text messaging, and by phone.

  • Timeshares Pt. 3: Scam or Investment?

    {Play}As I indicated in the last issue, under Hawaii Revised Statute §514E-9, timeshare companies are required to give clients all information regarding the unit for purchase, including all the fees attributed to that unit that are due immediately and the “hidden” fees that require seemingly endless future payments — the monthly mortgage, property tax, maintenance fees and interest.

    Don’t Succumb to Pressure

    Because timeshare agents usually don’t verbally deliver the “caveats” of the transaction to the clients, it is with utmost importance that prospective timeshare buyers read through those contracts  thoroughly. If the salesman tries to subtly pressure you into just signing the paperwork and indicates you can change your mind later, stand up and walk away.

    There have been local stories of people feeling trapped in the sales pitches, having their intelligence questioned, having their emotions played upon and being made to feel guilty for “wasting” the salesman’s time.

    How to Exit From Ownership

    If you have actually bought into a timeshare and you can no longer afford it, options include renting or selling, going into foreclosure, or hoping that the hotel/resort can take back the deed of the unit if the mortgage agreement will allow it.

    These options in exiting a timeshare, however, are fraught with pitfalls. It’s important to verify the legitimacy of the companies that approach for the purpose of resale. There are also signs to be wary of, including huge initial fees, overseas bank account addresses for wire transfers and asking for personal or financial information. Reputable companies will use written contracts specifically outlining the services to be provided. These contracts should include the services the resellers will perform, outlined fees with deadlines, the length or term of the contract to sell the timeshare, and it should note the person responsible or documenting and closing the sale.

    A timeshare is not a bad thing in itself. It is the lack of understanding of the industry and contracts that lead people to become victims of the system. So, read and understand the details of everything you sign — or prepare for unforeseen and unpleasant consequences.

    If you suspect elder abuse, call these numbers:
    – Police: 911
    – Adult Protective Services: 808-832-5115
    – Elder Abuse Unit: 808-768-7536
    If you have questions about elder abuse, call or email:
    808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov

    As I indicated in the last issue, under Hawaii Revised Statute §514E-9, timeshare companies are required to give clients all information regarding the unit for purchase, including all the fees attributed to that unit that are due immediately and the “hidden” fees that require seemingly endless future payments — the monthly mortgage, property tax, maintenance…

  • Estate Planning Mirrors Life

    As a member of ACTEC, I am privileged to learn from and exchange ideas with some of the most skilled and dedicated trust and estate lawyers in Hawai‘i. I often wonder why most of our discussions focus on probate and litigation issues rather than on how we can help plan to mitigate family conflict and avoid probate.

    As professionals, we must continue to fight against the inclination to treat estate planning as “the preparation of documents.” Rather, we ought to consider ourselves more as  counselors of law” who guide their clients through a process that considers all factors — understanding  clients’ intentions and hopes, first and foremost — as well as convenience, probate avoidance, minimization of tax, family relationships, liability and fashioning a plan well-suited to their unique needs. This includes proper counseling and assistance in the funding of a trust, and engaging in meetings with family members and professionals to communicate intentions and the plan so that everyone — family, client and professional — are working together seamlessly with common goals.

    Estate planning is not a commodity of different pieces of documents put into a three-ring binder. Estate planning mirrors life, where change is constant and communication is key.

    STEPHEN B. YIM, ATTORNEY AT LAW
    2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96826
    808-524-0251 | www.stephenyimestateplanning.com

    As a member of ACTEC, I am privileged to learn from and exchange ideas with some of the most skilled and dedicated trust and estate lawyers in Hawai‘i. I often wonder why most of our discussions focus on probate and litigation issues rather than on how we can help plan to mitigate family conflict and…

  • The Time to Plan is NOW

    When I was in elementary school in the 1960s, my family’s set of encyclopedias claimed that I could expect to live to the ripe old age of 70. That seemed incredibly old to me. Fast-forward to 2020, and the current consensus is that I will live into my 80s, barring a catastrophic illness or an accident. Advances in medical science are probably the primary reason for this difference, but now, when 80 seems pretty young to me, I have to ask, is a longer life necessarily a good thing? It is not that difficult to think of compelling reasons in order to answer that question in the negative.

    Although science has stretched our lifespans, it has not yet perfected a way to keep us mentally and physically competent until the ends of our lives. The net result is that we live longer, but our quality of life in the extra years that science has granted us may not be what we would desire. In our grandparents’ day, senility was not unknown, but back then, most people died before they had a chance to plumb the depths of Alzheimer’s. Each person reading these words must recognize that he or she has about a 70 percent chance of being incapacitated to the point of needing long-term care for some period of time before the final bell.

    Planning for the likelihood of eventual incapacity can make our final years much more bearable for ourselves and our loved ones than will otherwise be the case. So each of us needs to include in our estate planning arsenals against the inevitable — not only clear instructions about passing on our things, but also clear chains of authority and clear instructions about how decisions will be made on our behalf if we lose the ability to make those decisions.

    Most of us would prefer not to think about these things and most of our children (the good ones, anyway) want to think about them even less. But that is a poor excuse for leaving our loved ones in a haze of difficult decisions that could have been considered, analyzed and planned for in advance. Seeing how our minds and bodies are unlikely to improve over time, a plan delayed may very well end up being a wishful thought and the source of deep regret.

    Gather your loved ones and your trusted advisors and document the path that you will follow if time and health take you where you do not want to go. This process requires honesty, courage and wise counsel. Ultimately, it will be a source of tremendous peace.

    SCOTT MAKUAKANE, Counselor at Law
    Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
    www.est8planning.com
    808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

    When I was in elementary school in the 1960s, my family’s set of encyclopedias claimed that I could expect to live to the ripe old age of 70. That seemed incredibly old to me. Fast-forward to 2020, and the current consensus is that I will live into my 80s, barring a catastrophic illness or an…