Category: Senior News

100 Years on Kuakini Street

In September 2018, Kuakini Medical Center celebrated the 100th anniversary of its move from Liliha Street to its present location on Kuakini. Established in 1900, the medical facility has seen many changes during its 118 years of existence.

The Japanese Benevolent Society opened The Japanese Charity Hospital in Kapalama in July 1900. It was a two-story wooden building with 38 beds, where free medical care was provided to Japanese immigrant sugar workers. In 1902, the hospital moved to a larger site on Liliha Street and soon began providing care for more than just the destitute and sick.

On September 27, 1918, the hospital moved 37 patients by car and ambulance to a 16-building campus on Kuakini Street (pictured). At that time, with 120 beds and a staff of 15 physicians, it was the second-largest hospital in Hawai‘i.

That hospital is now known as Kuakini Medical Center — a licensed and accredited medical/surgical facility with services such as ambulatory care, emergency services, oncology and cardiovascular services, an orthopedic and spine center, sleep center, and renowned biomedical research programs.

With a history of 118 years of caring, Kuakini is committed to maintaining the legacy of its founders by providing safe and high-quality care to the people of Hawai‘i and improving the health status of the community.

KUAKINI HEALTH SYSTEM
347 N. Kuakini St., Honolulu HI 96817
808-536-2236 | www.kuakini.org

In September 2018, Kuakini Medical Center celebrated the 100th anniversary of its move from Liliha Street to its present location on Kuakini. Established in 1900, the medical facility has seen many changes during its 118 years of existence. The Japanese Benevolent Society opened The Japanese Charity Hospital in Kapalama in July 1900. It was a…
Honolulu Commits to Being ‘Age-Friendly’

(L–R): Pam Witty-Oakland, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Christy Nishita, Frank Streed (back row), Barbara Kim Stanton, Dave Underriner (back row), Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, Councilmember Kymberly Pine, Momi Cazimero, Tom Dinell

Health Services

The Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative has a vision to create a livable city that is inclusive to persons of all ages and abilities. For our kūpuna, the initiative strives to maximize opportunities for active aging, independence and community engagement. Since 2014, the Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative, supported by Mayor Caldwell and AARP Hawaii, has involved hundreds of individuals from the public and private sector in the planning and implementation process.

Pedestrian Safety

On October 11, 2018, the Age-Friendly Honolulu
Initiative celebrated a milestone event, Mayor Caldwell’s signing of Bill 54 (2018), Relating to Age-Friendly Honolulu. The passage of this ordinance signifies a commitment by the City and County of Honolulu to be “age-friendly.” The celebration event also recognized all those involved over the past several years and highlighted successes thus far including the development of a Pedestrian Crossing Survey App, the work of Dementia Friends Hawaii, and the launch of the Kind2Kūpuna Business Program.

Transit Accessibility

Social Involvement

In the months ahead, the Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative will proceed with implementation of the ordinance. The ordinance requires “all city departments to encourage and incorporate age-friendly city features in the planning, budgeting, design, construction, implementation, operation, and evaluation of city programs, services, facilities, and projects.” In addition, the Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative will also establish an advisory board, train city department staff on age-friendly principles, and evaluate

AGE-FRIENDLY HONOLULU
cnishita@hawaii.edu
www.agefriendlyhonolulu.com

The Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative has a vision to create a livable city that is inclusive to persons of all ages and abilities. For our kūpuna, the initiative strives to maximize opportunities for active aging, independence and community engagement. Since 2014, the Age-Friendly Honolulu Initiative, supported by Mayor Caldwell and AARP Hawaii, has involved hundreds of…
A Very Active Centenarian

Edward Jurkens, 100 yrs. old

Hawai‘i is fortunate to be the home of many centenarians, and I love writing about them. Most recently, I spent time with Edward Jurkens, who celebrated his 100th birthday on December 23, 2017. We planned to talk at his apartment then go to lunch. On the way there, I thought, “Where should I park so I can drive him somewhere?”

Edward was born and raised in Illinois, met his wife, Frances, in the second grade, married in 1944, had three daughters, and he’s very proud of his three grandsons, three granddaughters, nine great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

Edward’s memory is so good we chatted about everything, from his college days at Knox College — where he got free tuition as a hurdle and high jump athlete and received his pilot’s license before signing up with the Air Force — to retiring from Hawai‘i’s CINCPAC in July 1968. Since retirement, he has had some fun and not-so-fun jobs, but found his love was in volunteering: for AARP giving driving lessons to seniors for 22 years, 13 years for the Service Core of Retired Executives, and looking after the “petting zoo” at Waikīkī Aquarium. Now, on Mondays, he volunteers at the Pacific Aviation Museum.

He credits his post-retirement longevity to all the walking he did when golfing up through his 90s, walking around Ala Moana and now on the grassy area of his condominium, eating salads, reading a lot, doing Sudoku, and exercising his arms with dumbbells as he watches TV.

For lunch, he walked to and from the restaurant near his condominium, while I scurried to keep up!

Hawai‘i is fortunate to be the home of many centenarians, and I love writing about them. Most recently, I spent time with Edward Jurkens, who celebrated his 100th birthday on December 23, 2017. We planned to talk at his apartment then go to lunch. On the way there, I thought, “Where should I park so…
New Support for UH-Mānoa Athletes

L-R: Bill Boyd, Executive Chairman of Boyd Gaming; David Lassner, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa President and Interim Chancellor; David Matlin, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Athletics Director

If you attend any sports events involving the University of Hawai‘i’s Rainbow Warriors or Wahine, it soon becomes obvious that local kūpuna are among their most avid supporters. From attending home games, to donating to booster clubs, to picking thousands of flowers to make lei for the Women’s Volleyball Team (as seen in S1 Ep5 of GTV), Hawai‘i’s seniors are with the athletes every step of the way.

Another long-time supporter of UH-Mānoa’s athletes is a name many of our readers are very familiar with — the California Hotel in Las Vegas. On July 25, the Cal announced a $450,000 pledge to the Athletics Department for the volleyball court naming rights of the Stan Sheriff Center. A subsequent ceremony was planned for the hometown crowd at a match at the Center itself.

The pledge will be phased over several years, supporting university student athlete success initiatives by providing assistance to student-athletes in the areas of nutrition, cost of tuition, summer school and other preparatory athletic efforts.

That’s definitely something to cheer about!

If you attend any sports events involving the University of Hawai‘i’s Rainbow Warriors or Wahine, it soon becomes obvious that local kūpuna are among their most avid supporters. From attending home games, to donating to booster clubs, to picking thousands of flowers to make lei for the Women’s Volleyball Team, Hawai‘i’s seniors are with the…
Memories from the Ewa Queen

Born in ‘Ewa to plantation workers, Sadie (Yasui) Kaya had the best childhood ever. Her memory of growing up there is so strong today, at the age of 103, that she sang a childhood song to me: “Ewa is our happy home. Yes, yes, oh yes. Never from her shall we roam. No, no, oh no. Oh how happy now are we, when we see the DPD. Soon the waters we shall see. Sing, children, sing.”

Sadie, her four brothers and a sister enjoyed ‘Ewa’s playgrounds, gyms and baseball fields. Like her brothers, Sadie was quite an athlete. Her sister Lorraine owned the Ewa Tavern with husband Eddie, who Sadie said was a great cook. This well-known restaurant had patrons coming from as far as Barbers Point for delicious meals and pies.

Sadie married and worked at the Ewa School’s cafeteria on Renton Road. She told me that the “Lincoln, the Frontiersman” statue was donated by Katherine Burke. My research showed Katherine McIntosh Burke was a teacher and principal there from 1919 to 1927. The statue was unveiled on February 12, 1944 and a celebration is held every year on Lincoln’s birthday in front of it.

Her great memories of ‘Ewa make Sadie very happy. She is called the “Ewa Queen” by her friends and the staff of the Care Center of Honolulu. I thanked her for sharing those memories, which she said “many Ewa people will remember too.”

Stories for and about seniors and their caregivers are always worth sharing, such as 100th birthday announcements. Send stories and photos to Sherry Goya.
808-722-8487 | sgoyallc@aol.com

Born in ‘Ewa to plantation workers, Sadie Kaya had the best childhood ever. Her memory of growing up there is so strong today, at the age of 103, that she sang a childhood song to me: “Ewa is our happy home. Yes, yes, oh yes. Never from her shall we roam. No, no, oh no.…
WANTED: Election Day Volunteers

The Office of Elections and county clerks of Hawai’i are looking for volunteers to help conduct the 2018 General Election on Tuesday, November 6.

More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to fill various positions on Election Day which include assisting voters at the polling place, transporting election materials and supplies, and resolving inquiries from the control center.

It is a great opportunity to get involved and contribute to the community. Many volunteers choose to work at their local polling place where they can help their fellow neighbors cast their ballot. Volunteers receive a stipend ranging from $85 to $175, depending on the position. Organizations looking for fundraising opportunities can also participate as a group and donate their stipends directly to their own project.

Qualifications to volunteer:
✓ 16 years old by June 30, 2018
✓ Registered to vote in Hawai‘i
✓ Able to read and write English

Interested individuals can easily sign up at www.elections.hawaii.gov or call the Office of Elections at 808-453-VOTE (8683). For a listing of positions, visit https://elections.hawaii.gov/voters/volunteer/

The Office of Elections and county clerks of Hawai’i are looking for volunteers to help conduct the 2018 General Election on Tuesday, November 6. More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to fill various positions on Election Day which include assisting voters at the polling place, transporting election materials and supplies, and resolving inquiries from the…
YMCA Health & Fitness Day at Kahala Mall

The YMCA’s National Senior Health & Fitness Day was enjoyed by many on Wednesday, May 30th, at the Kahala Mall. The YMCA thanked the Kahala Mall and Generations Magazine for their co-sponsorship of the day. A number of nonprofit organizations participated, as well as more than 30 Generations partners, who offered valuable information to seniors and their families. Demonstrations were held throughout the day, closing with a Vacations Hawaii drawing.

The YMCA’s National Senior Health & Fitness Day was enjoyed by many on Wednesday, May 30th, at the Kahala Mall. The YMCA thanked the Kahala Mall and Generations Magazine for their co-sponsorship of the day. A number of nonprofit organizations participated, as well as more than 30 Generations partners, who offered valuable information to seniors…
Annual Senior Classic Games

The City and County of Honolulu’s annual “Senior Classic Games” was held on March 22nd at the Hālawa Recreation Center, bringing together 30 senior clubs to compete in four games — Tunnel Vision, Pin Ball, Nine Gates and Peg Ball.

The day was a little cloudy, with soft winds — perfect for 87 teams of seniors ranging in age from 55 to 93 years old. After the competition, score cards were tallied, and medals were presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the Senior (55 to 74) and Master (75 and over) divisions. For the past few years, Generations Magazine has paid for all the medals, which are always well received. First-place winners also received a soda-cap ribbon lei made by the founder of the Senior Classic Games, retired Hālawa complex supervisor Herbert Yasuhara.

Punahele Crowell, Sports Specialist for the City and County, said: “I’m just happy that the Senior Classic Games have grown to what it is now. I’m also really pleased that all the seniors came out to get some exercise, have a little friendly competition, and promote wellness. These games are all about them and witnessing how much fun they have and how much they enjoy each other’s company is really something special.”

The next event for senior clubs to compete in is the annual bowling bonanza taking place in October. And throughout the year, clubs are making crafts for their annual Mayor’s Craft and Country Fair in November, which Generations co-sponsors with HMSA. For information on joining a senior club on O‘ahu, please contact Senior Section Coordinator Randy Yasuhara at 808-768-3045.

Above, I am pictured with Herbert and Martha Yasuhara, who never miss this wonderful annual event. The gymnasium was packed with excited active seniors; laughter could be heard from the rafters to the fields. Super fun day!

The day was a little cloudy, with soft winds — perfect for 87 teams of seniors ranging in age from 55 to 93 years old. After the competition, score cards were tallied and medals were presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the Senior (55 to 74) and Master (75 and over) divisions. For the…
Working After 50, 60 and Beyond!

Working longer and later in life is not optional for many of us and is preferred by those of us who understand that work, in some capacity, is a gift of our longer lifetimes. It is a gift to be treasured.

Consider this: One in four of us in Hawai’i is 60 or older. As the longest-living state in the nation, our average life expectancy at birth is 82 years. At age 65, you may add 20 more years to your life expectancy. Now, look ahead a few years to 2025. Your grandchildren are expected to enjoy average life expectancies of 90 years and older. Hawaiians may add an average of 30 years at age 65.

Working after 50, 60 and beyond

The lightning bolt of reality is ready to strike those of us over 50, as we come to grips with the gift of longer lifetimes. Ask yourself: What are the implications to your emotional, financial and physical health if work isn’t part of your life?

Note that I say, “some form of work.” All of your contributions qualify as work, whether you are full-time, part-time, some-of-the-time, on-call, for money or for the good of community.

Jobs are not the only way of working.

Mature workers have many options for work. Here are some ideas:

Adjunct Faculty. If you have been a teacher or professor, adjunct work is one of the fastest-growing ways of working in colleges and universities.

Barterers. Bartering, trading and sharing are the ideas behind “collaborative consumption,” which TIME magazine called one of the “10 ideas that will change the world.”

Docents and Guides. Believe it or not, maturity is an advantage.

Freelancers. Whether you call it temping or project work, freelance jobs are booming for all ages. One
in three workers is a freelancer today, and this movement is growing exponentially.

House Sitters. Many people in our beautiful state of Hawai’i frequently travel to their homelands. Leaving houses empty, and pets uncared for, is a bad idea.

Portfolio Jugglers. Think of portfolio work as if you were managing a stock portfolio. One aspect of your portfolio is work in exchange for money. Another aspect is your investment in longer-term opportunities. A third piece of the portfolio might be dedicated to your community.

I will leave you with a final question: Do you know how to plan and prepare for your future while overcoming age biases? I will discuss this in the February/March 2018 issue of Generations Magazine.

NEW WORKFORCE HAWAI’I

Carleen MacKay | 916-316-0143
carleenmackayhi@gmail.com
www.newworkforcehawaii.com

Working longer and later in life is not optional for many of us and is preferred by those of us who understand that work, in some capacity, is a gift of our longer lifetimes. It is a gift to be treasured. Consider this: One in four of us in Hawai’i is 60 or older. As…
Deborah Stone-Walls: Sailing Forward

A storm of aging is raging in America: Waves of retiring baby boomers on a tide of super seniors in need of ever-increasing care; a torrent of requests swamping eldercare agencies and charities; and financial gales battering seniors and their families as they try to shelter in place.

Deborah Stone-Walls (above) and the MCOA staff (below) optimizes support for seniors and shares their recipe for success.

Deborah Stone-Walls, Maui County Office on Aging (MCOA) executive, is optimistic as she “sails through the perfect storm.” Her peers throughout the United States recently elected her as first vice president of the National Association of Area Agencies in Aging, aka “n4a.”

On Maui, Deborah and her crew successfully optimize programs for active seniors, frail super seniors and family caregivers. They coordinate with nonprofits, county and state programs through a virtual electronic ADRC (Hawai’i Aging and Disability Resource Center) with an 800 number to intake seniors in need.

“The County of Maui allowed me to almost double the ADRC staff,” she says. “Soon, my staff came to me with new opportunities to help seniors. I never said ‘No’ but looked for a way to move forward and fill the needs.

“Traveling to a central location is difficult for Maui seniors. Our programs and services have to reach out to kūpuna. We took EnhanceFitness™ results-oriented exercise program to places where seniors gather — churches, assisted living facilities and clubs — and partnered with them. It worked, and seniors are getting stronger.

“Like all caregivers, Maui families need support when loved ones come home from the hospital. My staff loved the Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) program, but flying in trainers to certify local coaches was too expensive. We invested $5,000 to certify a Maui CTI trainer who can train as many coaches as we need.”

Innovation continued. Deborah’s staff figured out a way to assist rural seniors and their families who live beyond the reach of home care agencies. Once strict eligibility requirements and assessment standards are met, a Community Living Program (CLP) coach helps the family chart a plan. It may be as simple as installing a dog door and run for a homebound senior, or a walk-in tub. Again, the answer is listening, never saying ‘no,’ and delivering exactly what people need.

In the future, Deborah says aging professionals will have to promote an easy, attractive process for staying healthy, teach chronic disease self-management and believe that people can get stronger at any age. She encourages seniors to stay healthy and use their assets to pay for their own healthcare, as a way of blessing their children. Around the corner, Deborah sees new products like debit cards that give seniors nontechnical access to Uber and Lyft, and renal or diabetic diet meals, shipped directly to your door.

Healthcare innovator, eVillages, recently selected Flint, Mich., and Maui as two pilot communities in the U.S. Doctors at these sites will be connected via internet to extensive medical information and consultation by eminent physicians at over 300 locations around the world.

Deborah Stone-Walls is in line to lead n4a. She shares her “never say no” recipe for success on the national level and brings fresh ideas back to Hawai‘i. She charts a course, collaborating with peers, county and state government, ADRC staff and thousands of volunteers. We all benefit from their work. As the storm rages, we rest assured with Deborah Stone-Walls at the helm.

MAUI COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING

Maui: 808-270-7774 | Moloka‘i: 808-553-5241
Lāna‘i: 808-565-6818 | www.mauicountyadrc.org

A storm of aging is raging in America: Waves of retiring baby boomers on a tide of super seniors in need of ever-increasing care; a torrent of requests swamping eldercare agencies and charities; and financial gales battering seniors and their families as they try to shelter in place. Deborah Stone-Walls, Maui County Office on Aging…
Hawaii Seniors’ Fair: The Good Life Expo

More than 20,000 attendees and over 300 exhibitors filled the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall Sept. 23 through 25 for the Annual Hawaii Seniors’ Fair, The Good Life Expo. The 32nd annual event again focused on services, programs, workshops and other valuable resources available to seniors, their caregivers and families.

Publisher and Event Ambassador Percy Ihara and staff were on-hand to distribute Generations Magazine®, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life and network with attendees. Many Generations partners also enjoyed taking turns handing out the free, bimonthly magazine, which is distributed at over 200 locations statewide.

Regular readers said that they especially enjoy the food, travel, health, fitness, finance and sports information the resource magazine provides.

Generations also held a drawing for a Las Vegas trip for two from long-time partner Vacations Hawai‘i. Winner Judith Baroman of Ewa Beach, a regular reader, said she loves Generations.

More than 20,000 attendees and over 300 exhibitors filled the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall Sept. 23 through 25 for the Annual Hawaii Seniors’ Fair, The Good Life Expo. The 32nd annual event again focused on services, programs, workshops and other valuable resources available to seniors, their caregivers and families. Publisher and Event Ambassador Percy Ihara and…
Senior Clubs Take Over Leeward Bowl

Too much fun! And lots of helping hands were available to ensure that. Haruye Katakaru assisted by Joann Yatogo.

The City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation held its annual Troops for Fitness Senior Bowling event on Oct. 12 at Leeward Bowl in Pearl City. With 100 bowlers from 11 city and county senior clubs on O‘ahu, this annual event used almost every lane.

Everyone bowled two games and prizes were awarded throughout the day.

Fun challenges had winners running to collect “chips” that were drawn from bags filled with a variety of prizes. Prizes were awarded to the bowler who made a strike in the first frame, the bowler who scored exactly seven pins in the seventh frame and the bowler with a score of three or less in the third frame.

Socialization, fun and competition brought club members together. Leeward Bowl was filled with laughter, applause, fist pumps and most of all, friendship among all bowlers.

For more information about participating with a senior club in your area, contact your city or county parks and recreation department.

CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Garrett Iwai, Recreation Specialist
808-768-3030 | giwai1@honolulu.gov

The City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation held its annual Troops for Fitness Senior Bowling event on Oct. 12 at Leeward Bowl in Pearl City. With 100 bowlers from 11 city and county senior clubs on O‘ahu, this annual event used almost every lane. Everyone bowled two games and prizes were…