Category: Dec 2020 – Jan 2021

  • Character. Duty. Honor.

    Character. Duty. Honor.

    They didn’t fight for fame or recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. Now in their 90s, events beyond their control are still shaping the lives of the Chinese American veterans of World War II. A global pandemic has now extended the delay of national and local ceremonies honoring their military service.…

  • Trust, Talk & the Grieving Process

    It’s natural to experience grief when we lose a loved one. While we often associate grief with the death of a loved one, we can also experience it when we get divorced or when ties with a friend become severed. Everyone experiences grief differently. Some are able to move on, while others are unable to…

  • The Trouble With Family Secrets

    When there are secrets within a family, it has been my experience that no good has ever come from them. Now, I am not talking about secrets that a family might keep from non-family members, such as,  grandma is a witch and Uncle Joe has 12 toes, but secrets family members keep from each other.

  • What is a Trust?

    A trust is created when a person transfers “stuff” to a trustee who will manage the stuff for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. “Stuff” includes real property — such as land and buildings — and personal property — such as bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and personal effects. The person who transfers the…

  • Is Now a Good Time to Refinance?

    Interest rates recently hit all-time lows as the Federal Reserve made cuts to mitigate the financial impacts of COVID-19. If you’re a homeowner with a monthly mortgage payment, you might be wondering if now is a good time to refinance. While a lower interest rate may yield a more affordable monthly payment, there are other…

  • New Benefit Verification Letters

    Social Security (SS) has released a new, standardized Benefit Verification letter. People receiving SS or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can obtain their letter by using their personal my Social Security account. You can use the letter as proof of income for loans and housing assistance verification purposes.

  • Program Provides Free Delivery to Kūpuna

    Not all elderly in Hawai‘i have ‘ohana nearby to look out for them during the deadliest global pandemic  of the century. In response to COVID-19, Gabe Amey established Our Kūpuna in March to connect Hawai‘i’s seniors with community members who volunteer to provide free food, supply and medication pickup and deliver services on O‘ahu, Maui,…

  • I Ola Lāhui Helps Underserved Live & Thrive

    I Ola Lāhui (IOL) was developed over a decade ago in response to the urgent needs of Native Hawaiian and rural, underserved communities for behavioral health services. I ola lāhui means “So that the people will live and thrive.” The IOL mission is to provide culturally-minded, evidence-based behavioral healthcare.

  • When Life Becomes Too Much to Handle

    Working from home may include the added pressures of home schooling grandchildren, pets running in and out, and a multitude of other issues that makes them feel as if they are losing control. Stress can have such a horrendous impact on all of us no matter what the cause or what age we are. If…

  • Ko‘olauloa Senior Mentors Needed

    To sustain a vibrant kūpuna community, younger generations must take action. Our state needs an adequately trained workforce to care for and support our older population. In response to the need to support kūpuna and family caregivers, and expand workforce opportunities for youth, an eldercare curriculum was developed and implemented at Kahuku High School’s Health…