Category: Articles

Books: Memoirs and Hiking Trails

Ever wondered if the first Filipino American Governor in the United States, Ben Cayetano, got up to mischief in his youth? Or what it was like to be sent to Kalaupapa, as Makia Malo was? Or maybe you fancy going for a hike and are wondering which ones you can do. If so, read these!

An anthology of excerpts from previously published memoirs, Island Memoirs: The Days of Our Youth highlights the special experience of coming of age in Hawai’i as seen through the eyes of native born and new transplants alike.

The tales of childhood, early education and budding careers span time from pre-statehood to the new millennium, offering wonderful glimpses of Hawaii’s social and natural environment over the years.

Frances Kakugawa’s descriptions of being determined to replace pidgin with standard English in order to become a published author and of the destruction of Kapoho in the 1960 Kilauea lava event are but one example.

All 17 lives leading to careers in sports, show business, the boardroom and even the Governor’s Office are recounted with compelling honesty.

WATERMARK PUBLISHING
808-587-7766 | www.bookshawaii.net
Island Memoirs: The Days of Our Youth (2018)
Hard cover. Also available at all HI State Public Libraries

Author Stuart M. Ball, Jr. has expanded and updated The Hikers Guide to the Hawaiian Islands to include 13 hikes each on Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu.

The hikes are graded as Novice, Intermediate and Experienced and a handy index in the front of the book lets you see which suits your fitness level. That index also includes the hike’s length and elevation gain, as well as whether there are views, swimming, native plants/birds, historical sites and volcanic features.

The trail descriptions themselves are extremely detailed and each has trailhead directions (including GPS coordinates), a topographical map, and brief highlights. Many have notes about the best time of day to take the hike, what you can expect to see and the area’s history.

The appendix lists trail and camping contacts. Always call ahead to learn of current conditions!

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I PRESS
808-956-8255 | www.uhpress.hawaii.edu
The Hikers Guide to the Hawaiian Islands (2018)
Soft cover. Also available at all HI State Public Libraries.

Ever wondered if the first Filipino American Governor in the United States, Ben Cayetano, got up to mischief in his youth? Or what it was like to be sent to Kalaupapa, as Makia Malo was? Or maybe you fancy going for a hike and are wondering which ones you can do. If so, read these!…
Discovering Life Drawing

Drawing the human form has been done since early man lived in caves. Today, artists still use bits of charcoal to make marks on a page that transform into a likeness of a person.

What makes figure drawing so alluring is to somehow capture the form of a live model and imbue it with a life of its own. What makes it so challenging is that people know too well the shape of a human body and mistakes are easily spotted.

Studied in art schools and ateliers, life drawing can also be done by anyone who has the interest at open studios that are available to the public for a small fee. Models hold poses from 2 to 20 minutes — the challenge is to complete a sketch in the allotted time before the pose changes. Generally, there is no instruction. The 2- to 3-hour sessions are simply a chance to hone one’s drawing skills.

Sometimes artists form their own drawing groups. One such group has been meeting regularly at a private studio for over three years. We gather every other Wednesday for 3-hour sessions of sketching, fellowship and encouragement.

The group is primarily comprised of retired and working professionals. Herb is a real estate investor, Greg Pai a retired economist, Frances Wong a retired hotel executive, Beatrice Ku an architect, Ken Okuno a retired IT professional, Joan Shigemoto a retired speech pathologist, Flora Ling a retired financial writer and me, a financial professional.

Most in the group started drawing as they approached their senior years. Herb was inspired by the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards and happily discovered that he could draw. Greg is now a highly regarded professional artist who exhibits at Manoa Gallery and Nohea Gallery. Everyone’s sketches vary wildly, but each of us appreciates the deep satisfaction of drawing and how it can be a lifelong endeavor.

Check out your island’s local community bulletins, community colleges, or www.meetup.com. O‘ahu also has these life drawing open studios:

Honolulu Museum of Art — Linekona Art Center:
Monday evenings — contact Jared Wickware, jwickware@icloud.com

UH Manoa:
Sunday mornings — contact Scott Goto, gotoart@hawaiiantel.com

It’s refreshing to explore new creative outlets or reconnect to youthful talents. In the deep focus of drawing and the stillness of the studio environment you might even discover a new you.

Drawing the human form has been done since early man lived in caves. Today, artists still use bits of charcoal to make marks on a page that transform into a likeness of a person.
Lāna‘i: The Little Island With a Big Heart

The opening lines of an ancient mele (chant) describes Lāna‘i with the following line — “Hanohano Lāna‘i i ke kauna‘oa, koku kapa ‘ahu‘ula kau po‘ohiwi…” Lāna‘i is distinguished by the lei of kauna‘oa (Cuscuta sandwichiana), which looks like a feather cloak set upon its shoulders.

The island of Lāna‘i is sixth in size of the major islands in the archipelago, and in many ways, it is a reminder of earlier times in Hawai‘i. Prior to western contact, it was home to some 6,000 native residents. Today it is host to around 3,200 residents. The honua ola (bio-cultural landscape) of Lāna‘i is richly storied, largely untouched, and little known.

Guests from near and far explore island history at Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center. (Images courtesy of LCHC)

The Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center (Lāna‘i CHC) is a community-based charitable organization that strives to provide opportunities for students, community members and visitors to learn more about the island’s unique history. We have been privileged to partner with many organizations on both the local and national level and been the recipient of several significant grants.

Since opening in 2007, Lāna‘i CHC has served nearly 100,000 guests and residents through programs which include visiting a small museum and outdoor experiences. Among the notable programs for residents are the curation of indigenous artifacts, plantation era records and memorabilia representative of the cultural groups who have made Lāna‘i home. The collection includes thousands of records, artifacts, photos, oral history interviews, maps and more — many of which cannot be found in other collections.

The Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center. (Images courtesy of LCHC)

While artifacts and the material culture of place are fragile and in need of protection, even more fragile facets of history are the knowledge and recollections of elder kama‘āina (people of the land). Since starting Lāna‘i CHC, we have conducted nearly 150 oral history interviews with elder kama‘āina of Lāna‘i, aged 60s to 102. Many have since passed away. The interviews have been recorded in both audio and video format, include multicultural backgrounds, and share the experiences of life that have made the community what it is today.

The 100 years of life on Lāna‘i, described by those who lived through and made the history of the island make the story of Lāna‘i more than just items displayed in glass cases. The voices and faces of the interviewees ground us in our community legacy, remind us of long-held values and inspire us.

Lāna‘i High & Elementary School students at Kaunolū, with the famed Pali o Kāholo in the background.

We’ve also developed curricula and engaged Lāna‘i students in cultural literacy/place-based education programs and partnered with the majority landowner, Pūlama Lāna‘i, in access and protection of sites across the island. The access is more than a just “go see.” Through field programs, we engage residents, students (on island, from across the state and from abroad) in stewardship programs from the mountains to the reefs to build a new generation of resource managers and interpreters to lead the future in care for the honua ola.

One of the tools available to residents and visitor alike is the Lāna‘i Guide, a GPS web-enabled app (free at Google Play or the Apple store) that was designed as an interactive tool to engage users in the spirit and history of place. Because the information can also be accessed remotely from anywhere on earth (www.lanaiguideapp.org), visitors, students and researchers may also plan ahead for their time on Lāna‘i. The live GPS-enabled app directs the traveler (be it by vehicle, foot or bike) on the ground in real time. Travelers will find locations on the map and have access to various levels of information depending on their own interests. The content also includes links to other resource sites, photos and maps, audio files with narrations, songs or chants of old, and interesting video clips.

LĀNA‘I CULTURE & HERITAGE CENTER
730 Lanai Ave., Lanai City HI 96763
808-565-7177 | info@lanaichc.org
www.lanaichc.org

The opening lines of an ancient mele (chant) describes Lāna‘i with the following line — “Hanohano Lāna‘i i ke kauna‘oa, koku kapa ‘ahu‘ula kau po‘ohiwi…” Lāna‘i is distinguished by the lei of kauna‘oa (Cuscuta sandwichiana), which looks like a feather cloak set upon its shoulders. The island of Lāna‘i is sixth in size of the…
Exercise – a Panacea. Part 1: Arthritis

A healthy joint is like two smooth pieces of paper sliding against each other. Arthritis, joint damage, is like adding crinkles to the papers, with the friction causing pain and problems. However, in severe cases, and even with bone-on-bone degeneration, having no pain with “activities of daily living” is easily obtainable with a lot of hard work and the right treatments. If exercising on your own, consistency and diligence are the most important factors, so do something fun, like group classes/events, dancing, or play dates with grandchildren.

The key is dynamic muscle protection

 Muscles are about 80 percent of the body’s support and protection; bones, ligaments, and padding are only about 20 percent.

 It is very common to have strong and healthy muscles that lack the coordination to protect joints.

 Certain exercises astronomically increase muscle protection.

Any exercise helps build some protection, but most have minuscule levels of protection, necessitating high volume to feel any benefit. An optimized exercise should allow for significant and immediate improvements.

Consider working with a physical therapist to create an optimized exercise plan that brings about those improvements.

PRIME PHYSICAL THERAPY
600 Queen St., C-2, Honolulu HI 96813
808-286-0194 | www.primepthawaii.com

A healthy joint is like two smooth pieces of paper sliding against each other. Arthritis, joint damage, is like adding crinkles to the papers, with the friction causing pain and problems. However, in severe cases, and even with bone-on-bone degeneration, having no pain with “activities of daily living” is easily obtainable with a lot of…
Benefits of Diaphragmatic Breathing
Our fast-paced lifestyles have caused many of us to lose the ability to use our main respiratory muscle, the large dome-shaped diaphragm, to breathe. Instead, we use our shoulders, upper chest, neck and back muscles, causing rapid, shallow breaths.

Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it reduces stress, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. For those with pulmonary disease, such as COPD, the diaphragm often becomes weakened causing it to work less efficiently. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehab can teach proper breathing to reduce anxiety, slow breathing rate, increase full oxygen exchange, and improve physical activity. Because part of the core is the diaphragm, in physical therapy, breathing is also essential to proper posture and core stability.

Diaphragmatic breathing is one of simplest things you can do to improve your overall health and well-being.

Lie or sit, place one hand on the upper chest and the other below the rib cage.

Breathe in slowly through the nose so the stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain still.

Breathe out through pursed lips as you relax the diaphragm, letting it fall inward.

Inhale for 4 seconds; exhale for 6; 10 times.

MOON PHYSICAL THERAPY, LLC
320 Ward Ave., Ste. 107, Honolulu HI 96814
95-1057 Ainamakua Dr., F-11, Mililani HI 96789
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com
Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it reduces stress, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. For those with pulmonary disease, such as COPD, the diaphragm often becomes weakened causing it to work less efficiently. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehab can teach proper breathing to reduce anxiety, slow breathing…
Senior Day Care Offers Valuable Benefits

As our parents or loved one get older, they may need help or supervision during the day while caregivers are at work, school or other activities. Sending seniors for care during the day may be a difficult decision due to the cost and concern that they may not have “fun” or may be neglected.

A senior day care center is an ideal solution because it helps keep seniors healthy to live at home for as long as possible. Participants feel welcomed by senior day care staff, who provide individualized care. Each participant engages in enjoyable but therapeutic activities to foster greater functional independence.

Games and other activities such as tai chi, field trips, crafts and entertainment sharpen their minds. Exercise keeps them flexible and strong to prevent falls. Participants find they have a better appetite, especially if they are enjoying good food in the company of new friends. These activities can also help slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias and may result in better sleep.

Family caregivers also sleep better. They have peace of mind, are less stressed, and have more time for respite or other responsibilities, knowing their parents or loved one are in good hands.

PALOLO CHINESE HOME
2459 10th Avenue, Honolulu HI 96816
808-748-4904 | dnakayama@palolohome.org
www.palolohome.org

As our parents or loved one get older, they may need help or supervision during the day while caregivers are at work, school or other activities. Sending seniors for care during the day may be a difficult decision due to the cost and concern that they may not have “fun” or may be neglected.
Support and Resources for Family Caregivers

Because of the often debilitating nature of heart disease or stroke, the effects of those diseases often impact not just the patient, but family members who are placed in the role as caregivers.

In addition to their new family role and the hours required to perform support functions, costs of caregiving can also mount. In an analysis released in 2018, the American Heart Association (AHA) projected that the cost of informal caregiving for Americans with heart disease and stroke will more than double from $61 billion in 2015 to $128 billion by 2035. The AHA defines informal caregiving as the home care provided by family members or friends for loved ones with no compensation.

The vital role of informal caregivers

“Informal caregivers are indispensable assets to our health care system and often play a significant role in the recovery and well-being of heart disease and stroke survivors,” said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. “By 2035, the number of Americans living with heart disease and stroke will rise to 131.2 million — 45 percent of the total U.S. population. Understanding the escalating burden this will place on the family members and friends who care for these individuals is essential if we are to address this looming crisis.”

The lead author of a research study published by the AHA, Sandra Dunbar, RN, PhD, FAHA, of Emory University School of Nursing, concurs: “The dramatic rise in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the next two decades will place an intense strain on caregivers, putting their own health at risk from the ongoing distress, physical demands and costs. Our nation will ultimately bear the financial impact of this situation, especially as the caregiver pool shrinks.”

Where to find support and guidance

To address demands on caregivers, the AHA offers tips to family members that can help to ease or handle the burden. Its web page helps caregivers and patients connect through support groups and offers tips and resources to caregivers to help them take care of themselves as well as their loved one.

The resources include guidance on how to stay healthy and active yourself, healthy eating recipes and tips, ideas on how to effectively communicate with your family member, and how to deal with the emotional upheaval that can come with being thrust into a caregiver role.

The site also offers Answers by Heart, a series of downloadable patient information sheets presented in a Q&A format that’s brief, easy to follow and easy to read. They also provide room for you to write down questions to ask your doctor. Whether you or a loved one just had an acute event or procedure, have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or have had an event before or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, the sheets will help you start to reduce your risk.

The main thing is to remember you’re not alone. Others have been down this same path — and many are willing to share their experience and insights with you.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION HAWAII DIVISION
677 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 600, Honolulu HI 96813
808-377-6630 | www.heart.org/Hawaii

Caregiver resources:
www.heart.org/en/health-topics/caregiver-support
Facebook & Instagram: HeartHawaii

Because of the often debilitating nature of heart disease or stroke, the effects of those diseases often impact not just the patient, but family members who are placed in the role as caregivers.
Redirection Using Humor

Do you know a Person Living With Dementia (PLWD) who repeatedly asks the same question? Does your loved one obsess about leaving the house so that they can go home? Maybe you know of a grandmother who blames everyone in sight for stealing her items. Challenging behaviors are common among PLWD and care partners are burning out trying to address these problems.

In professional care settings where activities are offered, employees are trained to combat these “annoying” behaviors using a technique called redirection. Redirection is the art of directing a PLWD’s attention away from a frustrating situation and into a meaningful activity. It takes a lot of detective work to understand the PLWDs history, preferences, dislikes and triggers. The more you know, the more you’re able to help.

 The first rule to redirection is to become a listener. Avoid arguing at all costs! Instead of reorienting the person to what is logically happening, go along with their story and enter their reality. This concept of going with the flow with outrageous stories will be difficult at first. The idea behind losing your sanity and throwing logic out the window will enable you to help your PLWD feel comforted and you will be seen as trustworthy. You will be surprised at the smallest details that surface after the 15th time the same story has been told. Look at this as conducting research on the individual. By listening to their story, you are helping them feel like they have a teammate and you learn where they are in their mind. This is key detective work so that you can meet them where they are rather than trying to bring them into your reality.

 What to say to redirect. You’ll want to reflect everything the PLWD says and follow their physical actions. Literally repeat what the person has said and match their facial expressions, hand gestures, posture and tone of voice. This shows the PLWD that you understand their current emotion. For example, if your PLWD is upset and says “I want to go home!” you would mimic their gestures and repeat “You want to go home!” In the next few sentences you’ll try to change the subject by saying something like “You want to go home! Tell me about your home, where is it?” This will start a conversation and you’ll soon be able to redirect them by changing the subject completely.

 How do you know what to redirect someone’s attention to? Think about what your person likes, what brings them joy and how can we provide that right now? Maybe your PLWD loves chocolate. Sweet treats like chocolate, ice cream and cookies are easy snacks that could be kept around the house. Fishing, crocheting, gardening and building activities could be modified to provide enjoyment. Coloring a picture of a fish, reading a crochet book, watering the garden and children’s tool sets are viable options as your PLWD goes through the various stages.

Tapping into your PLWD’s history and preferences is key! Remember to keep things simple and be creative. Sometimes laughing at your own silliness can diffuse the anxiety. Giving care for someone with dementia is a series of trials and errors; don’t get down on yourself when something doesn’t work!

PAC HUI HAWAII
808-469-5330 | PAChawaii4@gmail.com
www.PacHuiHawaii.com

PAC Hui Hawaii is a caregiver training organization utilizing the Positive Approach™ to Care philosophy developed by Teepa Snow. To know more of the organization and current workshops and events, please visit us online.

Do you know a Person Living With Dementia (PLWD) who repeatedly asks the same question? Does your loved one obsess about leaving the house so that they can go home? Maybe you know of a grandmother who blames everyone in sight for stealing her items. Challenging behaviors are common among PLWD and care partners are…
Does Mom Need More Help?

How do family members prepare for the day their senior needs more help? The kind of help that requires loved ones to re-prioritize their lives. If only there were a date set aside for this change in everybody’s life. Planning on change at this level has never been easy because a plan may not be in place. A sudden fall, or illness could change everything and it could happen at any time.

Our seniors can have active lives up until the day they don’t. Family members may have to change directions, suddenly. This may involve taking time off work and moving other commitments to the back burner. There are some signs that show us our senior may be needing a bit more help. Here are a few to look out for:

• AGE — The older your senior is, the closer they will be to needing help, especially if they are slowing down physically.

• MEMORY — Forgetfulness could be a sign of illness affecting the brain or other systems, but it generates worry for family members who leave their senior alone for long periods of time.

• DRIVING — If your senior is not driving anymore, because it is not “safe” due to visual problems, mobility issues, or cognitive concerns, this may be a sign that other tasks may not be as easy for them as well.

• WEIGHT LOSS OR DEHYDRATION — These are real concerns that indicate they are not eating or drinking enough. Frequent urinary tract infections may indicate not enough fluid intake or poor personal hygiene in the bathroom.

• UNPAID BILLS/UNOPENED MAIL — Seniors like to have control over their finances until there comes a day when they stop opening their mail. This is a clue they are either forgetting or it’s not a priority for them anymore.

• FREQUENT PHONE CALLS AT WORK — If family members are receiving frequent calls during the day from their senior, it may mean things are about to change. This can indicate loneliness, forgetting that they just called, or anxiety about something they cannot control.

• FALLS — This could be the “last straw,” especially if there is an injury. Family members may have to find outside help, to monitor their senior for safe mobility while they are away at work.

Just like planning ahead for disasters, planning for the day your senior needs help should be a priority. Life can be busy and noticing some of the scenarios listed above should be on your radar. Of course, your senior will deny they need help, and may say something like, “I don’t want you to worry about me, I can take care of myself.” If you feel that twinge in your gut telling you that what you are seeing is not consistent with what they are saying, don’t ignore it! Now may be the time to move into a different role for your senior, or ask for help.

ATTENTION PLUS CARE HOME HEALTHCARE
Accredited by The Joint Commission
1580 Makaloa St., Ste. 1060, Honolulu HI 96814
808-739-2811 | www.attentionplus.com

AGING IN HAWAII EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
by Attention Plus Care — a program providing resources for seniors and their families, covering different aging topics each month. For class information and upcoming topics, call 808-440-9356.

How do family members prepare for the day their senior needs more help? The kind of help that requires loved ones to re-prioritize their lives. If only there were a date set aside for this change in everybody’s life. Planning on change at this level has never been easy because a plan may not be…
Military Service and Social Security

Q: I’m planning to retire next year. I served in the Navy back in the 1960s and need to make sure I get credit for my military service. What do I need to do?

A: You don’t need to do anything to apply for the special credit for your military service — it is added automatically. For service between 1957 and 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record at the time you apply for Social Security benefits. For service between 1968 and 2001, those extra military service credits have already been added to your record. So you can rest assured we have you covered. You can read the Military Service and Social Security booklet at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html.

Q: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits?

A: You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyonline. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. For your convenience, you can always save your progress during your application and complete it later. And thank you for your military service!

For questions, online applications or to make an appointment to visit a SSA office, call from 7am–5pm, Mon–Fri:

1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | www.socialsecurity.gov

I’m planning to retire next year. I served in the Navy back in the 1960s and need to make sure I get credit for my military service. What do I need to do?
Heads up! It’s Upgrade Time!

Most people use new or upgraded versions of cars, phones, appliances and all sorts of gadgets to manage their daily lives. Yet, they seem surprised to learn of a loved one’s, a friend’s or their own need for a medical procedure to maintain or improve functional capabilities. The need for a knee or hip replacement or cataract surgery comes as a shock or a hardship.

While individuals routinely replace cars on average every 7 years, cellphones whenever a new model is launched and appliances every 3–10 years, few expect their bodies to break down after six or seven decades of service. Without insurance coverage, a full hip or knee replacement can cost about $39,000 per knee or hip — the price of a new car! Cataract surgery can run about $7,000 for both eyes. That brand new kitchen suite with refrigerator, dishwasher and matching microwave would cost about the same.

So schedule your free annual wellness visit with your physician. The examination and preventive screenings may be able to determine if any upgrades are needed. Any time is a good time to develop a realistic understanding and approach for caring for the physical body that supports you daily. Accepting the upgrades and replacements that may be needed after decades of daily use can create a “new” you!

MEDICARE MOMENT WITH MARTHA
A radio program with Martha Khlopin
KHNR-690AM: Sundays 9:30am–10am
808-230-3379 | getmartha@aol.com

Most people use new or upgraded versions of cars, phones, appliances and all sorts of gadgets to manage their daily lives. Yet, they seem surprised to learn of a loved one’s, a friend’s or their own need for a medical procedure to maintain or improve functional capabilities. The need for a knee or hip replacement…
Creating Secured Passwords
You generally want to set the minimum password length to at least eight characters, but a minimum length of 14 characters is better. If it’s a single word, I recommend using a non-English word. Or you could use a phrase like “the cow jumped over the moon” without spaces between the words in the phrase.

One or more characters should be upper case.

One or more of the letters should be transposed as a numeral. For example, “i” or “l” can be the number 1. And “E” could be 3.

If permitted, include a control character such as “*” (shift-8) or “^” (shift-6).

That is the core password, which is the base from which you create the password for the account you are using it for. For example, if your core password is “theC0wjumped^0verthem00n” you can add an “F” at the beginning and a “B” at the end for your Facebook account. For your Gmail, you can add “GM” at either end.

How to remember passwords

Write them down in a notebook kept in a locked desk or file cabinet. Note what account it is for and the date it was created.

Do not keep them on your cellphone, tablet, computer or in your wallet or handbag.

When you’re done using the password, make sure to destroy the paper and discard it. Passwords ARE the “Keys to the Kingdom”.

——————-

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/
To create secure passwords, you generally want to set the minimum password length to at least eight characters, but a minimum length of 14 characters is better.