Category: December – January 2014

  • Frank, as Always: Big-Band Musical Baggage

    When Generations invited me to write an article about my high school days, one of the first memories that came to mind was of riding in the backseat of my dad’s 1959 Chevy Impala every morning, heading to school and listening to his favorite radio program. In the 50s, there was this DJ named Hal…

  • Important Notice: Your Medicare Plan Not Offered in 2014?

    Every year, a few weeks before Halloween, I get dozens of calls from Medicare beneficiaries with questions about Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, which begins October 15 and ends December 7. It is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can decide to keep their existing health plan or select a new plan that becomes effective January 1…

  • Solar Savvy: Tips from the Industry Pros

    Look around. Gleaming new solar panels are going up on roofs all over Hawai‘i. It’s no wonder — with our exorbitant electricity rates, year-round sun and substantial tax credits, installing a PV system in Hawai‘i makes so much sense, especially if you’re on a fixed income. Homeowners who educate themselves before investing will enjoy reliable…

  • UH Press Presents: IF IT SWINGS, IT’S MUSIC: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HAWAI’I’S GABE BALTAZAR, JR.

    Hawai‘i’s legendary jazz musician Gabe Baltazar, Jr. has thrilled audiences since the late 1940s with his powerful and passionate playing. In his memoir, If It Swings, It’s Music, Gabe takes readers along the long road to becoming one of the very few Asian Americans who has achieved worldwide acclaim as a jazz artist. Born in…

  • Welcome to the Generations808.com Homepage

    Main navigation menu: Use these topics to navigate to the various pages in our site. As you run the cursor over the word, it’ll become bold. These topics will always exist on every page. Throughout the homepage, there are also various other buttons that’ll take you to any one of these topics. Home is the…

  • Hawaii Connector Must Be Consumer Friendly, Accountable and Sustainable

    Beginning in January 2014, Hawai‘i residents who are without health insurance, small businesses, and those who are self-employed will be able to be covered by insurance purchased through an online marketplace known as the Hawaii Health Connector. The Connector was established by the state Legislature in 2011 to offer health plans to the public under…

  • Home Care for Stroke Survivors

    Caring for stroke survivors at home can be overwhelming for anyone. Getting outside help from home care agencies can make a difference in your ability to balance your life with your loved one’s needs. Ask the following questions to find a trustworthy company with qualified, reliable caregivers who are also compassionate and dedicated. Does the…

  • Represent: Neighbor Island Seniors

    I was attending a legislative hearing some years ago dealing with senior issues. The hearing went on for some time as the committee members talked about significant health care problems affecting seniors in Honolulu. At some point, a respected senior advocate from Maui raised his hand and said, “Excuse me, this NOT the state of…

  • Mind & Body: Sober Seniors

    According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2012, nearly 41 percent of adults 65 years of age or older drink alcohol. Most of them don’t have a drinking problem, but some of them drink too much. Men are more likely than women to have problems with alcohol. What are the…

  • Conversations About Wishes

    Auntie K was having trouble breathing at home and her son called 911. She is now in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor asks the family, “What would your mother want us to do if she could speak for herself right now? She’s having more trouble breathing. Do you want us to “‘do everything?’” Unfortunately,…

  • Downsize & Declutter the Easy Way

    Most of us who have lived in the same home for decades have collected a good amount of personal treasures. And before you know it, you’re shocked by all the things you own. Some people may call these things clutter or trash, but to the owner these things could be a lifetime of memories. The…

  • Message from The Editor – December / January 2014

    The end of this year was highlighted with an island hop to Maui, where Generations Magazine discovered why some of the happiest seniors in Hawai‘i call the Valley Isle home. The cover story, Maui Mindset, explores how Maui County is committed to its seniors and their families … and how seniors are eager to give…