The Blood Bank of Hawai‘i (BBH) is the state’s only center for blood collection and distribution, supplying all 18 civilian hospitals. Because shipments from the continental US take time, local donations are essential to meet daily patient needs. BBH often relies on 150 to 200 donors each day to support surgeries, cancer treatments and childbirth. When emergencies spike, demand can exceed 300 units. On days with low supply, reserves can fall below a single day’s worth, forcing hospitals to make difficult choices about who receives life-saving treatment immediately and who must wait.
Traci Takehara, senior recruiter for donor services at BBH and a multiple-time donor herself, oversees Lifesaver Clubs and coordinates drives throughout the islands. “Every donation has the power to save a life right here in our community,” Takehara says. “It’s life, hope and time for families who need it most.”
Because blood cannot be manufactured, Hawai‘i’s hospitals depend entirely on volunteer donors to maintain a stable supply. Each unit has a limited shelf life, and demand fluctuates with surgeries and emergencies, making regular donations essential. All blood types are needed—including the most common—O-positive and A-positive—while O-negative remains especially valuable due to its universal compatibility.
Many kūpuna rely on a consistent blood supply, especially those managing chronic conditions or preparing for procedures like dialysis, heart treatments or joint replacements. Yet fewer than 2% of Hawai‘i residents donate regularly, leaving hospitals with little buffer when demand is high. One pint can support up to three patients, so supplies can run low quickly.
Different types of donations address specific medical needs. Whole blood, the most common, is used for a wide range of treatments. Platelets help cancer and trauma patients. Plasma supports burn-care and clotting disorders. Rare types like Jk3-negative, more common among Polynesian populations, are in high demand because they are harder to match.
Most adults in Hawai‘i can donate if they are generally healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and meet screening requirements. Many kūpuna remain eligible, depending on medications and medical history.
BBH operates fixed locations on O‘ahu and regularly holds mobile drives to make donations accessible across the islands. Staff guide donors through every step, from check-in to recovery, and follow consistent safety protocols to protect both donors and patients. By maintaining a reliable supply, the Blood Bank supports care that keeps families together and ensures treatment remains close to home.
Takehara emphasizes, “A steady blood supply ensures hospitals can care for all patients without making impossible choices.”
For more information or to schedule a donation, visit bbh.org.
The Blood Bank of Hawai‘i (BBH) is the state’s only center for blood collection and distribution, supplying all 18 civilian hospitals. Because shipments from the continental US take time, local donations are essential to meet daily patient needs. BBH often relies on 150 to 200 donors each day to support surgeries, cancer treatments and childbirth.…
This soup has become a new tradition for the Kim family—the dumpling soup my kids ask for every time we want a quick, comforting and easy dinner. And it is simple enough that at age 10, my daughter, Sophia, could make it on her own. Mandu (dumplings) are usually made during holidays like the Korean New Year or Chuseok, an autumn harvest festival. Families make them together and eat them together. There’s something special about a meal that is stress-free and still brings everyone to the table. On chilly days, manduguk is our go-to and a perfect recipe for kids who are learning their way around the kitchen.
Ingredients
1 pack Store-bought beef bone broth 8–10 Store-bought dumplings (any brand) 1 egg Chopped green onions, to taste Minced garlic, to taste A little sesame oil
Directions
1) Pour 1 pack of store-bought beef bone broth into a pot and add the same amount of water. Bring to a boil. 2) While the broth is heating, mince the garlic and finely chop the green onions. 3) Crack the egg into a bowl and beat it lightly. 4) When the broth comes to a boil, add about 8–10 dumplings. Cook until the dumplings float to the surface. 5) Once the dumplings float, add the minced garlic and stir. 6) Slowly pour in the beaten egg in a circular motion. When the egg starts to set, gently stir with a spoon. 7) Add the green onions and a little sesame oil, then stir. 8) Season with salt and pepper if needed.
If you add sliced rice cakes (tteok) along with the dumplings, it becomes tteok-mandu-guk (rice cake and dumpling soup).
Prep & cook time: 45 minutes Serves: 2
Do you have a favorite recipe and story to share? For consideration, include a photo and mail them to Generations Recipe, PO Box 4213, Honolulu, HI 96812, or email them to Cynthia@generations808.com.
This soup has become a new tradition for the Kim family—the dumpling soup my kids ask for every time we want a quick, comforting and easy dinner. And it is simple enough that at age 10, my daughter, Sophia, could make it on her own. Mandu (dumplings) are usually made during holidays like the Korean…
Since more than 1,500 years ago, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have welcomed immigrants from every corner of the globe, cultivating and perpetuating a tapestry of diverse cultures. In the eighth article of this ongoing series on the many cultures that comprise Hawai‘i, we will focus on the Koreans, how they arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, the culture and celebrations.
Korean Arrival in Hawai‘i
The story of Korean immigration to Hawai‘i officially began on Jan. 13, 1903, when 56 men, 21 women and 25 children arrived in the islands. Like many other ethnic groups migrating to Hawai‘i, the men were recruited as laborers for sugarcane plantations. Their situation was unique in that Korean laborers were primarily seen as strikebreakers when Japanese laborers refused to work under exploitative conditions.
By 1915, Korean presence in Hawai‘i had grown to over 7,000 strong. In these early years of immigration to Hawai‘i and then to the United States continent, some Korean intellectuals believed that emigrating from Korea would be useful in modernizing their homeland. As a result, the recruitment of Korean laborers and those willing to move to Hawai‘i saw little issue. Today, around 55,000 residents of Hawai‘i claim Korean heritage—about 4% of the population.
Culture and Tradition
The Koreans in Hawai‘i were self-starters. They immediately began organizing themselves through churches, establishing schools/social organizations and becoming business owners, and these practices continue today. As proof of this living history, Ke‘eaumoku Street in Honolulu – also affectionately called “Koreamoku”—features plenty of Korean-owned businesses, restaurants and sites for communal gathering.
Many keiki grow up going to taekwondo practice and learning seoye (calligraphy). Hallyu (South Korean popular culture), Korean pop (K-Pop) and dramas are enjoyed across generations.
The most beloved manifestation of the different cultures in Hawai‘i is, of course, food, and delicious and comforting Korean cuisine—like bulgogi, kalbi and meat jun, and banchan (sides) like kimchi and mandu—is no exception.
Celebrations
Organizations such as the United Korean Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Korean Cultural Center offer culturally relevant classes and events throughout the year. The two largest cultural celebrations are the Korean Festival in August and the newer Kimchi Day Festival in November—both annual, held on O‘ahu and featuring events such as dance and drum performances, eating contests and celebrations of the arts.
The next article in this series will feature the influences of Mexican culture in Hawai‘i.
Since more than 1,500 years ago, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have welcomed immigrants from every corner of the globe, cultivating and perpetuating a tapestry of diverse cultures. In the eighth article of this ongoing series on the many cultures that comprise Hawai‘i, we will focus on the Koreans, how they arrived in the Hawaiian Islands,…
Children process and experience grief according to their developmental stage. If we try to determine their grief status by an adult measure, then something may be missed.
Grieving kids can experience a wide range of emotions, expressing sorrow through tears one moment and wanting to play the next. From an adult lens, this can be perceived as the child being “fine,” but in actuality, playing is one way they process their emotions. Another indicator of grief in children may be a regression in behaviors. The child may have a consistent developmental skill, then suddenly, they are no longer exhibiting their typical abilities. For example, a child may have independent toileting skills, then they begin to have bathroom accidents. This can be frustrating for a parent or the child’s caregiver, especially if they are unaware of the root cause. Healthy support includes talking story with them using simple words about their feelings, allowing them to cry, assuring them that what they are going through is normal and modeling healthy coping skills.
Good conversation starters may include encouraging the child to draw their emotions, reading through a children’s grief book or discussing a movie. Disney movies have many threads of grief sewn through their storylines.
Addressing grief can be uncomfortable, but it does not have to be overwhelming.
Children process and experience grief according to their developmental stage. If we try to determine their grief status by an adult measure, then something may be missed. Grieving kids can experience a wide range of emotions, expressing sorrow through tears one moment and wanting to play the next. From an adult lens, this can be…
If you or a loved one have surgical implants, be aware that metal implants will not be in your loved one’s urn following cremation. Handling of incombustible semi-precious metal implants following cremation is not something we think about when we are grieving. However, there are a few reasons why this will be a consumer protection concern increasingly affecting a growing segment of Hawai‘i:
Hawai‘i, like much of the US, is experiencing a rapid growth in its retiree population.
Significant medical advances and the increased use of surgical implants are becoming common-place for repairing or replacing bones and joints due to deterioration or fractures.
Hawai‘i has the fourth-highest cremation rate in the US, therefore, a continued accumulation of surgical implants after cremation is likely.
These incombustible remains will need to be discarded, recycled or resold by the mortuary industry in Hawai‘i. These metals may include, but are not limited to, silver, gold, titanium, platinum and palladium, in the form of dental fillings, plates, rods and screws for your teeth, neck, spine, hip and other joints. What happens to them? Are they donated, recycled, sold or discarded in a landfill? Are families providing their informed consent regarding their approved method of disposition?
Is there evidence of unreported revenue generation? The fact is, we do not know what Hawai‘i’s mortuaries are doing. Meanwhile, companies in the continental US are harvesting these metals from mortuaries. Some company websites indicate that they can donate the proceeds to a nonprofit upon a mortuary’s request. The proceeds can also provide the mortuary with an additional revenue stream.
But what is happening in Hawai‘i is unclear. The mortuary industry is silent. If a financial transaction is made, should mortuaries reimburse families for the value of these metals? That might be an insurmountable administrative task and a challenge to enforce. If there is revenue, a donation to a nonprofit would impress the community. Through community dialogue, it is possible to create a collaborative framework that ensures transparency, ethics and community benefits.
CULLEN T. HAYASHIDA is an affiliate faculty member with the Center on Aging, and the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Over the past 50 years, he has been involved with developing over 50 elder care service projects in hospital, nursing home, home care, college and community settings, and has provided technical assistance to other organizations locally, nationally and in East Asia. He has taught at the University of Washington, Willamette University, Case Western Reserve University, Kapi‘olani Community College, University of Hawai‘i and JF Oberlin University.
If you or a loved one have surgical implants, be aware that metal implants will not be in your loved one’s urn following cremation. Handling of incombustible semi-precious metal implants following cremation is not something we think about when we are grieving. However, there are a few reasons why this will be a consumer protection…
Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, many go unnoticed, with their efforts sometimes taken for granted. These “unsung heroes” are a model of compassion who contribute valuable, often challenging work without receiving recognition or praise for their efforts. But once in a while, a recipient of their kindness steps up to sing their praises. O‘ahu resident Diane Wright contacted us to help her make that happen.
“TheHandi-Van drivers do more on the van for passengers than most people know,” says Diane. “They work hard and do it with compassion and care.”
“They are well trained,” says Diane. “The nice, friendly drivers greet you when you get onboard, then, if the van is full, the driver helps to space the people apart in the van so we can all fit. They move around a lot to help the passengers, buckling wheelchairs to the floor and strapping in rollators and walkers. They even help seatbelt you in, if you need.”
When the passengers disembark, the driver unbuckles each rider and helps them to the exit lift, lowering the lift so they can get out easily. “The drivers always say a friendly ‘have a nice day’ when we leave,” adds Diane.
“TheHandi-Van drivers have a lot of compassion and patience, so I thought I’d tell others about them,” says Diane. “I admire them. Thank you to all hard-working Handi-Van drivers who show compassion every day!
To share your story of gratitude for possible publication, email the editor at debra@generations808.com.
Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, many go unnoticed, with their efforts sometimes taken for granted. These “unsung heroes” are a model of compassion who contribute valuable, often challenging work without receiving recognition or praise for their efforts. But once in a while, a recipient of their kindness steps up to sing their praises.…
Getting old has its blessings and its challenges. The blessings are many, especially here in Hawai‘i where kūpuna are usually treated with a bounty of respect and kindness. However, I have found that to be less true while traveling on the continent.
Among my many blessings, I count my three kids. My eldest daughter, Kalei, age 54, who lives upstairs from me with her husband, Paul, are there to help when asked. Kala‘i, age 51, and his partner, Lawrence, are also both willing and able to help in any way that they can. Puna, my youngest daughter, age 47, lives in Florida, but comes when needed, as she demonstrated when her father was diagnosed with brain cancer. She appeared two days later and stayed for two months.
(L–R) My son-in-law Paul, daughter Kalei, husband Bill, me, son Kala‘i and his partner, Lawrence.
But challenges are also many. Pesky little obstacles include being unable to recall the names of actors and classmates from long ago, and forgetting appointments, even though they are in my cell phone calendar and written on a paper calendar. Trials include being unable to do the simple, everyday tasks that were once so easy to do, like bending to tie shoelaces, reaching for dishes from a high kitchen shelf, opening a jelly jar and even popping open a can of cola. All the little things…
The big things are getting short of breath during a slow, 18-minute walk halfway around the loop, or during a 45-minute sitting-fitness class at the YMCA, enduring the pain from my knees and feet from arthritis while walking and exercising or even just trying to fall asleep at night.
But the biggest challenge in my life is grieving for a lifetime companion who died and left me to survive without him, dealing with the pain of turning over in bed and seeing an empty pillow, preparing meals for one person instead of two, filling out forms required by the government after the death of spouse for VA, Social Security, military retirement, medical insurance…
Yes, getting old has its blessings and its challenges. Getting old is getting old!
ANITA ‘ILIMA STERN is a retired elementary school teacher and writer who taught hula for 33 years. Her students liked learning hula and chant from her and appreciated the positive feedback they received. She lives in Kailua, O‘ahu.
If you have thoughts or a story to share, email the editor: debra@generations808.com. It may be published in Generations Magazine, Facebook or our website.
Getting old has its blessings and its challenges. The blessings are many, especially here in Hawai‘i where kūpuna are usually treated with a bounty of respect and kindness. However, I have found that to be less true while traveling on the continent. Among my many blessings, I count my three kids. My eldest daughter, Kalei,…
When I got the save-the-date card for my 50th high school reunion, I was shocked! Hey, 50th reunions are for old people! Then I realized I must be one!
So I volunteered to be our Class of 1975 reunion secretary and sent out emails asking for life updates and attendance plans. As I sifted through the replies, I began getting information about classmates who had passed away. A girl I had dated died of cancer. Another I had a crush on had died the year before. I received a heart-breaking email from the widow of a wrestling team buddy saying he had passed. All told, I found out a dozen classmates had passed on.
Those sad responses convinced me that I must go to the reunion to reconnect with people with whom I had spent four important years.
The 50th reunion of Western Reserve Academy’s Class of 1975 was well-attended. Following “the road less traveled,” Rob paved his own path to a permanent home on Maui, where he enjoys life with wife Kelly
When my wife and I arrived in my hometown for the reunion, we went for a long walk around the school grounds. Memories came flooding back. The next evening, we dined with our 50th reunion group. I was pleased that 36 classmates of the 100 (about) in our graduating class attended. Everyone looked great! Granted, now in our late 60s, our definition of “looking great” is far more forgiving than it used to be!
During dinner, we didn’t compare accomplishments, cars or careers—we honored the past as we reminisced about our classmates who are no longer with us. We remembered a classmate I had known since we went to preschool together. After I shared precious memories of her, others who were close to her shared theirs. We remembered another friend—a funny, well-liked, brilliant and athletic student who became a leading brain surgeon at Johns Hopkins. His widow joined us; we all cried with her. And so it went through the list, with shared recollections triggering tears and eliciting laughs. I was pleasantly surprised that as we all told our stories, old friends recalled things that I had forgotten and I was able to jog their memories, as well.
As we talked, my classmates transformed in my mind’s eye to how they looked in our school days. Grey hair turned brown again and bald heads regrew shoulder-length locks. Guys shuffling painfully to their tables were once again fleet-footed soccer jocks and track stars. Grandmothers with etched laugh lines and crow’s feet transformed into gorgeous young girls again.
Saying goodbye at the end of the reunion was bittersweet. I hugged it out with everyone.
I had viewed reunion group photos of the older classes above us, hanging in the hallways. Seeing fewer people in each five-year grouping, I realize that at our next reunion, I may not be seeing some of these dear friends again.
So I’m glad I went back for the Big Five-O and I’m going to attend all of my class reunions for as long as I am able, God willing.
ROB MELDRUM was born and raised in Hudson, Ohio, and graduated from Middlebury College in Vt. summa cum laude, with high honors for his senior thesis. After a 20-year career with AT&T, he started a telecomm software company and is a patent-holder. He and his wife, Kelly, moved from Seattle to Maui in 2019. In retirement Rob enjoys playing guitar, writing songs, playing pickleball and baking sourdough bread.
If you have a story to share, email the editor: debra@generations808.com.
When I got the save-the-date card for my 50th high school reunion, I was shocked! Hey, 50th reunions are for old people! Then I realized I must be one! So I volunteered to be our Class of 1975 reunion secretary and sent out emails asking for life updates and attendance plans. As I sifted through…
r. Steve L. Chaplin, a 64-year-old Honolulu psychiatrist, has seen the world from a unique perspective. He has ridden his bicycle through South America, Asia and Europe, cycled through 39 countries, including Morocco, Myanmar, India, Chile and Vietnam, and most recently, biked through Iceland and Greenland.
What inspired him to see the world this way? Dr. Chaplin’s father taught him to ride at age 6, but initial lessons didn’t include how to stop by using his brakes, which caused him some scrapes. His interest in bicycling blossomed while biking with a friend in San Francisco. The bicycling bug really took hold of him as he navigated the city’s highly textured topography. By then, of course, he had learned how to brake.
Today, adhering to the hypothesis “safety in numbers,” his excursions always include a friend or a group. He says he has never experienced a bad bike trip. To the contrary, friendly foreigners often approach him, asking about the details of and reasons for his international bicycle trek. He says that riding a bicycle has proven to be an easy way to make friends in a foreign country, as natives are always eager to give him advice and share information about their country.
Dr. Chaplin says that the most interesting country he visited was Vietnam in 1995. The Vietnamese were very welcoming, saying, “America number one.” And, of course, Dr. Chaplin fit naturally into the culture, as most Vietnamese rode bicycles as their primary transportation.
Riding his bicycle in a foreign country also gave Dr. Chaplin an opportunity to appreciate the culture and natural beauty at a pace that could not be accomplished in motorized travel mode, yielding time and space for contemplation and reflection, in addition to social interaction.
Dr. Chaplin says, “Somehow, foreign residents and I succeed in communicating. English seems to be an international language and there is always someone who can speak it to some extent. In the remote parts of a country, where English is barely spoken, we use hand motions and somehow we manage. We smile, we laugh and catch on to what each is saying.
“For example, when a foreign resident points at my bicycle, I know from experience that they are asking me why I am traveling in their country on a bicycle, especially in a far-off region. Traveling to a foreign country is always an experience. It depends on your attitude of why you are there. So I tell them that riding a bicycle abroad is a priceless experience if your aim is to learn, have fun and meet the people. The bottom line is to be pleasant and patient.”
Dr. Chaplin believes in exercise and encourages his patients to do so, because studies have shown that such activity promotes mental alertness, stamina and positive interactions. Such being the case, bicycling in a foreign country with his interest focused on a new environment stimulates his mind and memories of people and places.
Studies have shown that a human on a bicycle is more efficient than a swimming salmon or flying seagull and jet plane. Dr. Chaplin concurs that it reduces global warming and conserves natural resources as well as introduces the bicyclist to different cultures, cuisine, history and people—up close and personal. “There is no doubt that bicycling is good for the health, for the preservation of our Earth and if you travel to a foreign country, I like to believe that in some ways it leads to international understanding, friendship and world peace.”
His philosophy of life is simple—“enjoy the moment. Enjoy the ride.”
r. Steve L. Chaplin, a 64-year-old Honolulu psychiatrist, has seen the world from a unique perspective. He has ridden his bicycle through South America, Asia and Europe, cycled through 39 countries, including Morocco, Myanmar, India, Chile and Vietnam, and most recently, biked through Iceland and Greenland. What inspired him to see the world this way?…
Kūpuna Power, a platform that seeks to educate and empower Hawai‘i’s elderly, is both a movement and a mindset—a reminder that Hawai‘i’s elders carry not only our history, but our momentum. Born out of an immediate response to a church family member being scammed, I launched the initiative after witnessing firsthand how vulnerable Kūpuna can be when clear, reliable information is hard to find—or when a kupuna is too embarrassed to reveal such a situation. The experience exposed an urgent need for information to accessible resources at the federal, state, county and private levels—and the spark that ignited Kūpuna Power.
Kūpuna Power is about helping them tap into resources that enable them to live their golden years the way they want to, as independently as possible and without worries. Kūpuna Power helps restore dignity, visibility and agency to the people who built the foundations we stand on today.
At its core, the initiative insists that kūpuna are cultural anchors and political stabilizers whose lived experiences—from plantation life to the Hawaiian Renaissance—give them a clarity that Hawai‘i still depends on. When elders speak, they bring generations of insight.
Kūpuna Power channels that wisdom into present-day action by encouraging kūpuna to stay informed, vote, testify, organize and guide the lāhui (people) with the same steady hands that raised families and communities.
The movement also strengthens intergenerational connection, creating joyful, dignified spaces where young people learn directly from elders through stories, mele and lived truth. That exchange fuels coherence, unity and disciplined civic participation.
KŪPUNA POWER 808-768-7700 | info@wearekupuna.com wearekupuna.com
Kūpuna Power, a platform that seeks to educate and empower Hawai‘i’s elderly, is both a movement and a mindset—a reminder that Hawai‘i’s elders carry not only our history, but our momentum. Born out of an immediate response to a church family member being scammed, I launched the initiative after witnessing firsthand how vulnerable Kūpuna can…
Tucked between campus classrooms near the College of Education, the leafy paths of the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH) Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili garden come alive every third Thursday afternoon. Soft laughter blends with the rustling of leaves and the hum of gentle conversation. Under the shelter of liliko‘i shade tents, a kūpuna presses seeds into the soil, a caregiver smiles from across the table and a UH student leads a memory-based activity. It’s a quiet, powerful moment when generations meet, stories resurface and healing takes root. This is the Memory Café and its garden in action. But it’s much more than a soothing gathering place. It’s what the UH Center on Aging (COA) was created to do — bring research, community and compassion into one space.
A Vision Grows into a Vital Hub
The UH COA was formally established in July 1988 after years of planning by educators and community advocates who saw Hawai‘i’s shifting demographics as both a challenge and an opportunity. By the late 1980s, the islands were already home to one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the nation.
About 311,000 seniors (aged 65 and over) live in Hawai‘i today—roughly 21.5% of the state’s 1.4 million residents, according to Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s summary of the US Census 2024 population characteristics.
Since its founding, COA shifted through reorganizational umbrellas and now finds its current home within the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at UH Mānoa. This signaled a larger vision. Aging isn’t just about health. It is social, emotional, environmental and deeply human.
Its mission remains steady: to enhance the well-being of older adults through collaboration, applied research, education and service.
In addition to measuring success by journal citations, the center quantifies its accomplishments in smiles, independence and community strength.
COA has become a hub for interdisciplinary research and hands-on community engagement that touches nearly every aspect of aging in Hawai‘i. Today, it supports dozens of projects that address issues such as dementia awareness, caregiver education, intergenerational connection and public policy for elder care. COA’s faculty and students collaborate with health systems, schools, state agencies and nonprofits to turn research into action, improving how Hawai‘i understands and supports its kūpuna.
Right now, the UH Center on Aging is behind some remarkable efforts to make life better for Hawai‘i’s older adults. Through Age-Friendly Honolulu and the Kūpuna Collective, a statewide network co-founded by the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, they’re shaping how our cities grow—pushing for engaged and inclusive communities that welcome everyone. And with the CARE Registry (Collaborative Approach for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Research and Education), they’re helping ensure that island and Pacific voices are finally represented in national studies on aging and dementia.
COA helps ensure that local voices and cultural perspectives are included in studies that shape future healthcare policies. The center also partners with the state’s Executive Office on Aging, the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division and supports the Pacific Islands Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program’s efforts to train healthcare and social service professionals across the state.
Together, these efforts reflect COA’s mission—to not just study aging, but to improve what aging looks and feels like in the islands.
Hawai‘i residents were living longer, often healthier lives, and the cultural tradition of multi-generational homes meant new kinds of caregiving needs were emerging. Families wanted to keep their elders close to home and not necessarily in institutions. COA became a bridge, linking university research to real families and real challenges.
Early COA projects explored caregiving education, senior employment and aging-in-place initiatives. As the population aged, the center expanded to address Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and the emotional well-being of kūpuna and their families. That early foundation has grown into today’s blend of community programming, applied science and hands-on service.
Nurturing Lives Touched by Dementia
More than 30,000 people in Hawai‘i live with dementia today. It’s a group of symptoms. The most familiar and common is memory loss, which is caused by brain disease. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia and accounts for approximately 60% to 80% of dementia cases.
“A dementia diagnosis is scary and overwhelming,” says Christy Nishita, PhD, a gerontologist at UH COA and the Memory Café program lead. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma regarding dementia. It can make people afraid or embarrassed to go outside and engage in our community.”
Life with dementia calls for more than medical care. It thrives on connection. Both those experiencing memory loss and their caregivers benefit from strong circles of support that keep each day meaningful and full of purpose.
Staying socially active, moving the body and keeping the mind engaged through activities like conversation, gardening, music or puzzles can help lift the spirit and preserve a sense of joy, even as memory and thinking evolve.
Recently, the Alzheimer’s Association reported that Hawai‘i faces one of the most rapid increases in the number of dementia cases in the nation. With people living longer and kūpuna making up a growing share of the population, families across the islands are feeling the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Apparently, tens of thousands of Hawai‘i residents are currently living with dementia and nearly twice that number serve as unpaid caregivers.
The challenge isn’t just medical; it’s emotional, cultural and social. Many caregivers juggle full-time jobs while tending to loved ones, and families often struggle to find culturally appropriate resources that fit local ways of living and caring.
That’s where UH’s COA plays a vital role. Through community-based programs, caregiver training and research partnerships, COA helps families navigate the complexities of dementia with compassion and knowledge.
The center is also a partner in the Hawai‘i Dementia Initiative (HDI), which promotes public awareness, professional training and memory support services statewide. And through projects like the Memory Café and garden, COA offers a model of social connection that restores dignity and joy to those living with memory loss.
Together, these efforts help make Hawai‘i not just a place where people live longer, but where they can live better, surrounded by care, understanding and aloha.
Ground Preparation: Establishing Partnerships With Purpose
COA is built on connection. Faculty, students and local leaders work hand-in-hand with city agencies, nonprofits and health systems. Their goal is simple but profound—to make Hawai‘i a place where aging feels supported, not feared.
One of the most impactful collaborations is with Age-Friendly Honolulu, a long-term partnership with the City and County of Honolulu that reimagines how the city supports residents as they grow older. This initiative brings together City and County of Honolulu departments and community organizations to create neighborhoods where seniors can stay active, connected and independent.
Through surveys, walk audits and community trainings, the project has promoted more accessible spaces and engagement of kūpuna in community life. What began as a pilot has now become part of Honolulu’s citywide strategy for livable, age-friendly communities, shaping how the islands plan for accessibility and inclusion for years to come.
Age-Friendly Honolulu’s mission is to change mindsets about aging by empowering kūpuna, promoting intergenerational engagement, and supporting accessibility and inclusion for all. It’s a community endeavor.
Planting a Dementia-Friendly Garden
The dementia-friendly garden and Memory Cafe are UH COA initiatives. Research by Melody Halzel, PhD candidate in Public Health, under the direction of Dr. Nishita, complements these initiatives by examining how outdoor spaces like the Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili Garden at UH Mānoa—can be designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Melody’s research evaluates how accessible, safe and engaging these environments are, aiming to create practical guidelines for developing dementia-friendly gardens that nurture memory, comfort and social connection across Hawai‘i’s diverse communities.
Dementia Friends Hawai‘i is part of the Age-Friendly Honolulu initiative, which is also coordinated by UH COA in partnership with the state’s Executive Office on Aging and other community organizations. The center trains volunteers and community partners—healthcare workers, students, local businesses and faith groups—to host Dementia Friends Hawai‘i sessions across the islands.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) plays a meaningful role in extending the reach of UH COA’s community work. RSVP volunteers—many of them kūpuna themselves—bring decades of experience, empathy and local knowledge to the center’s initiatives. They assist with events like the Memory Café and garden, and support outreach activities that connect older adults and caregivers with resources.
Their participation adds a powerful layer of peer-to-peer connection. When RSVP volunteers share their time and stories, it helps build trust and encourages other seniors to stay active, engaged and informed.
For COA, it’s a win-win. The program gains capable, community-minded helpers, and volunteers gain renewed purpose by giving back in ways that directly improve the lives of fellow kūpuna across Hawai‘i.
Another key initiative is the CARE Registry, which invites Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents to participate in national aging studies. Historically, these groups have been underrepresented in research. CARE 2.0 helps close that gap and ensures local families see themselves reflected in data and solutions.
The COA is involved in dozens of projects and partnerships—too many to list or fully explain here—all designed to improve the lives of Hawai‘i’s seniors and their caregivers. From statewide policy work to neighborhood-based initiatives, each effort reflects the center’s deep commitment to community well-being.
Among its many programs, one in particular has captured the heart of that mission—the Memory Café and garden, where connection, compassion and learning come together in the most down-to-earth way.
Research Meets Heart at the Memory Café & Garden
A dementia-friendly garden, situated on an underutilized space within the UH campus off Metcalf Street, now flourishes with plants like mamaki (a Native Hawaiian tea plant), kalo, ‘ōlena, rosemary, liliko‘i, cherry tomatoes, basil and more. It features elevated planter boxes, resting areas and wide pathways, all designed with accessibility in mind.
Monthly gatherings at the garden welcome people of all ages and abilities, including those living with dementia, along with their caregivers and friends. Supported by COA staff and student volunteers, participants connect through shared, nature-based activities that nurture both body and spirit. The space is thoughtfully designed for comfort and inclusion, featuring shaded seating, raised garden beds and nearby restrooms—ensuring everyone can take part and feel at ease.
“ ‘ Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili’ translates as ‘restore/regenerate, to bring life back,’ to ‘āina—the land which feeds,” says Melody, the garden’s co-founder and Memory Café program coordinator. “And ‘pilipili’ refers to the name of the smaller land division (ili), where the garden is located. Together, it means ‘to restore and bring life back to the land.’ ‘Pili,’ such as ‘pilina,’ is for close relationship between people and connection to nature.”
Often called the person with “the heart behind the project,” Melody finds it deeply rewarding to see how much it’s grown. “It’s wonderful to bring back to life and regenerate unused land,” Melody says. “The garden has become a place for people to reconnect—with nature, with each other and sometimes with themselves.”
Last April, the garden and its caretakers welcomed dozens of visitors who helped pilot a new Dementia-Friendly Garden Checklist, developed by Melody as part of her dissertation research. The project evaluated how outdoor spaces could better support people of all ages and abilities.
The garden also serves as a living classroom for ‘āina-based learning and community connection.
Summer Maunakea, garden co-founder and associate professor of curriculum studies in the College of Education, incorporates it into ‘āina-based education courses, while the COA continues to guide its growth as a model that supports engagement of older adults, particularly persons with memory loss and caregivers.
The Memory Café and garden have grown into the living heart of the UH COA’s mission—where research meets compassion. “The program has a lot more engagement now… digging right in and maturing nicely,” says regular garden visitor Gary Simon, state volunteer president of AARP Hawai‘i. The garden’s steady growth mirrors the café itself—vibrant, welcoming and deeply rooted in community connection.
It’s not therapy in the traditional sense, but it is healing. Under shaded tents, laughter drifts through the air as kūpuna and students plant seedlings, paint stones or simply talk story. On one recent afternoon, 100-year-old Doris Inouye attended her first session with her 77-year-old daughter, Kathy Umemura. “They enjoyed being outdoors and intermingling with other people of all ages,” a volunteer shared. Moments like these show that joy and connection don’t fade with age, they just take new forms.
The garden itself was designed for inclusion. Wide paths, shaded seating and adaptive tools make it easy for anyone to join. Everything is provided, from gloves to refreshments, so participants can simply show up and fellowship together. Each session ends with quiet reflection and feedback that helps COA keep improving what matters most—that human connection.
“The café is like a family gathering,” one participant said. “We come, we talk, we plant and we leave feeling lighter.”
Ongoing discussions regarding how Honolulu can be more age- and dementia-friendly that began years ago resulted in the creation of UH COA’s Memory Café. The project is just one example of many efforts to improve quality of life for island kūpuna.
Planting the Next Generation
If the seniors are the roots, the youth are new shoots. At the COA, youth involvement is guided in part by Kevin Y. Kawamoto, PhD, a gerontological social worker, whose work bridges students and kūpuna through shared learning and service. Dr. Kawamoto describes COA as giving young people a chance to learn by doing—to sit beside elders, listen and serve with empathy.
Students who volunteer at the Memory Café and garden gain firsthand experience working with older adults and caregivers. Through conversation, gardening and shared laughter, they build the kind of intergenerational understanding that strengthens both community and workplace relationships. These connections go beyond volunteer hours—they nurture compassion and respect across generations.
Among those students is Brayden Jadulang, an 18-year-old UH biology major. “I’m interested in healthcare and sustainability,” he says, crediting his parents for inspiring his volunteerism. Students like Brayden show up at the garden to volunteer and cultivate not only plants, but empathy, the kind of insight that will shape Hawai‘i’s future caregiving workforce. And he does this without any expectation of college credit.
Melody Halzel (with lei) and student volunteers evaluate how accessible, safe and engaging dementia-friendly gardens and environments such as UH COA’s Memory Café are. Supported by COA staff and student volunteers, participants connect through shared, nature-based activities that nurture both body and spirit.
“Many students volunteer simply to help kūpuna, but its also a wonderful educational opportunity that will ideally drive more students to careers in aging.” She goes on to state that the café thrives because of the sincerity of those volunteer youth who show up. Their kindness turns research into relationships and classrooms into communities. “Our youth need to learn about aging,” she adds. “When generations connect, they build bridges of understanding and find common ground.”
Through the CARE Registry, students also serve as ambassadors, helping to recruit participants and share information across island communities. Others lend their voices to social media campaigns promoting brain health or storytelling projects that connect generations. To promote careers in eldercare, Dr. Nishita has partnered with ‘Iolani School and other public high schools to promote awareness, foster empathy and provide intergenerational programming. This approach reflects one of COA’s long-held goals, which is to develop a workforce that values and understands aging. The Memory Café is where that vision takes root—students learning the human side of healthcare, while seniors rediscover purpose through mentorship and friendship.
The Memory Café and garden at Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili. Under the guidance of (L–R) Kevin Y. Kawamoto, PhD, a gerontological social worker; Christy Nishita, PhD, UH COA project lead; and Memory Garden cofounder Melody Halzel, a PhD student in Public Health; young people are given the opportunity to learn by doing and build inter-generational understanding by sitting beside elders, listening with full attention and serving them with empathy.
Deepening Community Roots
What happens when a university research center steps off campus and into the heart of neighborhoods? For the COA, it means transformation on both sides. The university learns from lived experience and the community gains access to knowledge, tools and relationships once tucked away in academic buildings.
Because the center is based in Hawai‘i, it naturally embraces the islands’ cultural mix—Native Hawaiian, Asian, Pacific Islander and immigrant families—all with a deep respect for elders. That cultural awareness makes every project more personal, more local and more grounded in aloha. From neighborhood workshops to ‘āina-based gatherings, COA’s work reaches people where they live, work and talk story.
Programs like Dementia Friends Hawai‘i and the CARE Registry open doors to understanding and inclusion, helping residents learn how to better support those living with memory loss, while encouraging participation in research that reflects Hawai‘i’s diverse voices. The CARE Registry, in particular, helps researchers across the nation understand how culture, language and community shape the aging experience—insights that may one day influence how healthcare, caregiving and mental wellness are approached across the Pacific.
These community partnerships don’t just educate—they strengthen ‘ohana connections and restore confidence in aging with grace. They give kūpuna opportunities to share wisdom and remind younger generations what compassion and continuity look like in everyday life.
But numbers and studies tell only part of the story. At the heart of it all is something that can’t be measured—dignity. Whether through an awareness session, a volunteer’s kind word or a quiet chat in the garden, the goal is always to remind seniors that they matter, that their stories still shape Hawai‘i’s future and how every generation has something to give and something to gain.
Cultivating a Successful Future
While the laughter in the garden is real and immediate, COA’s leaders are also thinking about the future. The center hopes to expand Memory Café gatherings to neighboring islands and to develop partnerships with local hospitals and nonprofits to reach more caregivers. There’s also talk of blending technology with tradition—perhaps introducing virtual garden sessions for those unable to travel.
Dr. Nishita envisions Hawai‘i becoming a model for aging in place—where kūpuna can live independently, surrounded by support, culture and community. “Aging is something we all share,” she often says. “It’s a journey we take together.”
COA’s ongoing research on dementia-friendly design is another seed for the future. As cities across the Pacific look for ways to make public spaces more inclusive, UH’s work may help guide how communities everywhere design for dignity.
The story of the UH COA isn’t about numbers or programs. It’s about people. It’s about kūpuna like Doris, students like Brayden and visionaries like Melody, who see potential where others see wilderness. It’s about finding joy in the soil and meaning in the shared act of caring.
Growing Together for a Bountiful Harvest
As a kūpuna myself, I visited the garden and spoke with those who gathered there. What I witnessed was more than a program—I saw and experienced a sense of belonging.
Students laughed alongside elders, caregivers shared stories and the simple acts of planting and conversation bloomed into connection. For this kūpuna-writer, it was a reminder that aging is not about slowing down. It’s about staying rooted in purpose, community and aloha.
Each seed planted in the garden reflects the center’s larger mission, to cultivate a community where learning, service and compassion thrive side by side. Here, research blossoms into relationships and the wisdom of one generation nurtures the promise of the next.
In every way, UH COA continues to prove that the best kind of growth happens when generations work together—listening, laughing and helping life take root in the spirit of aloha.
If you would like more information about the University of Hawai‘i Center on Aging, the Memory Café and garden or for inquiries about volunteering, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/aging.
Tucked between campus classrooms near the College of Education, the leafy paths of the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH) Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili garden come alive every third Thursday afternoon. Soft laughter blends with the rustling of leaves and the hum of gentle conversation. Under the shelter of liliko‘i shade tents, a kūpuna presses seeds into the…
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Selling real estate is one of the most impactful financial decisions you make. Understanding taxes, especially capital gains, can make the difference between simply selling a property and creating a lasting legacy. When you sell your property for more than you paid for it, the profit is called a “capital gain.” If the property was…
