Category: Nov – Dec 2024

  • Should Seniors Purchase Travel Insurance?

    As we age, the desire to explore new destinations and enjoy life’s adventures often grows stronger. For kūpuna in Hawai‘i, traveling overseas offers the opportunity to experience different cultures, visit loved ones or simply relax in a new environment. While planning these trips, it’s crucial to consider potential risks and ensure you’re adequately protected. One…

  • Beware of Scams While Shopping Online

    Holiday shopping has shifted dramatically from in-person to online in recent years. Although this change gives us new opportunities for finding unique gifts while supporting small businesses — it also comes with risks. With 33.2 million small businesses now able to showcase their products online, you have infinite options at your fingertips. However, the rise…

  • A Labor of Love: Sweet & Sour Chicken

    This is one of my Grandma Goya’s recipes and one that my dad requests for Father’s Day or his birthday — it’s one of his favorite meals. My family loves eating this dish, as well. It is a labor of love because it takes a long time to make, but it sure is worth the…

  • Hilo’s Lyman Museum is Superb!

    I’m not the first to fall in love with Mauna Kea. Sarah Lyman — a missionary who came to Hawai‘i from New England in 1832 — wrote in her journal about the beauty of Mauna Kea when the clouds and rains cleared. You can hear readings of several journal entries in one of the exhibits…

  • Holidays Without Your Loved Ones

    Like birthdays and anniversaries, holidays are filled with loving memories of special times celebrated with family and friends. But when you have experienced the loss of a loved one and are grieving, it is sometimes difficult to authentically participate with others during the holidays. Your world has changed, often in profound and very personal ways.…

  • Transfer Seats Help Kūpuna On the Go

    Falls are a significant concern for our kūpuna, often leading to serious injuries and diminished quality of life. However, proactive measures can help prevent falls. First, maintaining physical strength and balance is crucial. Gentle exercises like tai chi, yoga or strength training enhance stability. Simple daily activities like walking or using a stationary bike can…

  • She’s Such a Positive Crackerjack

    Having a very strict father was the key to the life of Jeanette S. Akamine because she has always been very independent. She said that his teachings were always with a positive attitude. She graduated from St. Francis Convent, then helped support the family’s Nu‘uanu Avenue Myogaya Restaurant in the kitchen. Jeanette completed beauty school…

  • Home of the Brave

    To see Jacqui and Chuck Probst smiling on the pickleball court as they battle their opponents, one may never guess they experienced an actual war at a young age. Both volunteered for service in the Army during the Vietnam War in the late 1960s. They enlisted separately, as they had not met — yet. Jacqui…

  • Thank You

    I cannot believe that the holidays are already upon us, so let me step back and take a moment to reflect and thank each of my clients for allowing me to be part of their life. Please know that each of you have had and continue to have a tremendous impact on my life. As…

  • ‘Ohana Also Means Extended Family

    When we say “‘ohana” in Hawai‘i, we are talking about our parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and our extended family of friends, colleagues, team members, etc. My family has a “tennis ‘ohana” that goes as far back as 40-plus years. Yes, we met playing tennis in Kalihi, then on Sub-Base, and now in ‘Aiea. The oldest…

  • It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Plan

    During the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can: Benefit packages change every year so review the Annual Notice of Change from your Medicare health plan to see if the benefits still suit your needs. All Medicare Advantage plans are focused on simplifying the healthcare experience. They offer…

  • The Impulse to Inquire

    While growing up on the west side of O‘ahu, I remember thinking about how huge the world seemed. I loved looking up at the moon and stars, going to the library, watching movies with my parents and listening to the radio together. The ubiquitous “how” and “why” were everpresent in my mind. Now, at age…