Category: Articles

  • Who’s in Charge?

    “We’re not in charge anymore” is the phrase I find myself repeating over and over again to my husband, Bill. The first time I heard myself say that to him was when he complained about waiting for our son and his partner to choose a date in September to move some of our furniture from…

  • Students Promote Fall Safety

    Strength and balance are essential to staying independent as we age. But fall prevention isn’t just about exercise — it’s also about confidence. To that end, McKinley High School’s occupational therapy students recently partnered with kūpuna at the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, guiding them through exercises designed to improve stability and mobility. Coached by a…

  • Hawai‘i Veteran Dr. Takashi Manago

    Dr. Takashi Manago is one of six known living veterans of the mostly Hawai‘i-born, Japanese American unit — the 100th Infantry Battalion (the 100th). At age 101, Dr. Manago is an active member of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization, affectionally called “Club 100” and tirelessly makes public appearances to represent those killed in action…

  • Finding My Purpose in Retirement

    I found my perfect niche when I met Director Kimberly Itagaki, who launched her “RSVP Newsletter” in 2020. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a nationwide volunteer program for people ages 55 and over who are passionate about sharing their time and talents with their community. For me, RSVP opened a whole new…

  • New Executive Director at Project Dana

    Project Dana proudly welcomes Maria Raiza Morales as its new executive director. Honored to uphold the organization’s mission, she builds on the vision of its founders, Shimeji Kanazawa and Rose Nakamura. With gratitude for the mentorship of Rose and former Executive Director Cyndi Osajima, Maria steps into this role with a strong commitment to their…

  • Developing Disaster Resiliency

    Even before the Lahaina fire of August, 2023, Evelyn Lane, 67, was concerned about what would happen if a natural disaster struck the Kahuku Elderly Hauoli Hale senior and disabled low-income housing project that she lives in. Who will help them if a fire broke out in the forested area near the complex? What if…

  • Ikebana – A Conversation With Nature

    By Rosa BarkerPhotos courtesy of Barbara & Roger Tinius Ikebana is instantly recognizable as a Japanese style of floral art, no matter where in the world it is created. One thing that sets it apart as a style is that the arrangement is simple and uncluttered. But that simplicity is full of deeper meaning, dating…

  • Do You Need a Trust?

    Do I need a trust?” This is a common question I am asked when meeting with a client who is unfamiliar to estate planning. My usual response is, “It depends.” It depends on the client’s intentions or wishes, the client’s goals and concerns, the types of assets the client has, the age/maturity of client’s beneficiaries…

  • The Importance of Funding Your Trust

    Your revocable living trust (RLT) is a vehicle to deliver your assets to your beneficiaries — including you, if you become incapacitated. Think of your RLT as a little red wagon. In order for your wagon to do its job, you must load it up with your stuff. Anything you do not put into your…

  • Build Financial Literacy in Your Children

    Children often learn their first lessons about money from the adults they’re closest to. Whether it’s listening to parents discuss a purchase or watching them pay bills online, kids are observant and their relationship with money is often shaped by what surrounds them. If you are a parent looking to instill financial wisdom in your…

  • Navigating Hawai‘i’s Condo Laws, Part I

    Hawai‘i’s unique housing landscape relies heavily on condominium and community association laws, which manage shared living spaces, properties and the intricate relationships within them. Governed by specific statutes, these laws include HRS 514B for condominiums, HRS 421J for community associations, HRS 421I for cooperatives and HRS 514E for timeshares. Of these, condominium laws stand out…

  • Safe Prescription Drug Disposal

    The amount of unwanted medical waste has risen considerably in recent decades. But did you know that unused or expired medicine should be properly disposed of when it is no longer needed? But proper disposal does not mean throwing it in the trash or flushing it. Proper disposal by the proper authorities during Drug Take…