Category: October – November 2015

  • Japanese Floral Art: 35 Years in Hawai’i

    Thirty-five years ago Japanese families in Hawai‘i saw the anthurium’s shiny hearts, bird of paradise’s crane neck, black berry ears of the “Mickey Mouse” plant and the mass of areca palms, fluttering in the wind. Inspired by the flowers and foliage of their new homeland, these immigrants imported Ikenobo — the soul of ikebana (the…

  • Playtime for Tutu

    On a warm Friday morning in July, I spent some one-on-one time with my four-year old granddaughter at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kaka‘ako. We’ve been going there for over two years and love visiting all three floors. During some visits, we just spend two or three hours on one floor, and then there…

  • Kailua-Kona Welcomes 67 Softball Teams

    The 40th Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament drew 67 teams to compete at Kailua-Kona on Aug. 4–6. This year, eight divisions vied for victory on Kona Makaeo ball fields at Old A’s Airport Park. Maui fielded 13 teams, while O‘ahu gathered 17. Hawai’i Island turned out a big 25 teams, and 12 more teams flew…

  • Laser Therapy for Treating Sleep Apnea

    Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder with frequent awakenings and breathing disruptions of 10 seconds or longer, that occur when the patient’s airway becomes blocked. Sleep apnea lowers blood-oxygen levels, puts a strain on the heart, and is associated with high blood pressure, headaches, depression and daytime sleepiness. If left untreated, severe and fatal health…

  • Record Crowd Packs 9th AIP Workshop

    This year’s 9th Annual “Aging in Place Workshop” at the Ala Moana Hotel was the most successful that Generations Magazine and KHON2 Elderhood Project have ever hosted. Seventy-five exhibitors awaited the arrival of over 1,500 excited attendees. The workshop took place on Aug. 15, and between 8:30 am and 2:45 pm, 18 different sessions offered…

  • Assisted Living in the “Urban Core”

    For Honolulu residents, assisted living and retirement communities used to mean moving away to a quiet suburb. They yearned for a simple life, free from home maintenance, chores, cooking and cleaning, but not seclusion — miles from their church, social clubs, stores, restaurants and civic events. Today, assisted living facilities are being built in urban…

  • Cold Laser Therapy for Pain

    Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The American Academy of Pain Management estimates that more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Patients often explore multiple options for relief, but pain medication continues to be the mainstay of chronic pain management in the U.S. Forty years of research supports…

  • Women and Social Security

    Social Security values and appreciates women. Men and women with identical earnings histories receive the same benefits, yet women should know about certain trends, differences in lifestyle and patterns of earnings that may affect their benefits. For example, some women may be caregivers for many people: spouses, children and parents. Taking time away from the…

  • Save Crucial Time: Register for Smart911

    The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com. Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain emergency access to your home, if you are unable to answer the door. When…

  • Smart Ideas for Year-End Benefits

    With the end of the year just around the corner, you may want to review your financial situation. Make a list to ensure that you take full advantage of all available tax-saving deductions. Here are some ideas for year-end planning that can benefit you and help support your favorite charity too. Charitable Contributions — A…

  • Start with Why

    Lately, I’ve had questions from beneficiaries of trusts asking “why did the decedent make the trust distribution a certain way?” The trust clearly identified who the beneficiaries were, and what they were to receive and how they were to receive it. Unfortunately the trust was silent as to “why” — the underlying reason and purpose…

  • A Time to Ask . . . A Time to Listen

    By the time you read this, I will have traveled to Oregon to visit my mother. I am lucky to have her in my life. I was one of the original baby boomers, born when my dad returned from WW II. During our visits, we drive to many of the places where I grew up.…