Last year in the United States, sales of organic food and products topped $48 billion — that’s up almost 10 percent over the previous year, according to the Organic Trade Association. And while this growing industry is showing no signs of stopping, organic farming is hardly a trend; it’s how our parents and grandparents tended to their crops and cattle. Then in the 1950s, pesticides and artificial fertilizers were introduced — creating what is now called “conventionally-grown” food. So what’s the difference and why does it matter?
Certified organic means no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or antibiotics
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are not allowed when growing organically
Regenerative practices used in organic farming help keep the soil and our food full of minerals
Organic practices are better for the environment and the health of farm workers
Organic dairy has higher levels of heart-healthy fats and no hormones or antibiotics
While the argument to eat organic seems simple, choosing organic isn’t always easy — it’s harder to find and usually more expensive. But there are ways to go organic on a budget.
Stores like Walmart, Target and Foodland have a good selection of affordable options
Look for generic in-store brands to save more
Costco has great organic choices. Partner with a friend or family member to make it cheaper
Buy grains, nuts and cereals at the bulk bins • Start a garden and grow your own food
Eat more plant-based meals. Organic whole grains and veggies are cheaper than meat
Farmers markets are great, but make sure to ask where the produce is from and if it’s organic
Subscribe to a local, organic CSA service
If eating organic is still too steep, it’s more important that you get enough greens and fruit in your diet. The USDA recommends seniors get at least two servings of fruit and five servings of veggies every day. If that seems like a lot, juicing and smoothies are a great way to get them in. Just make sure, no matter what you choose, to wash everything before you eat it!
Go local! You can’t get any more natural and organic than the varieties found here in Hawai‘i. Consider swapping an apple with a juicy mango, or try a jabong instead of a grapefruit. How about soursop? Or lychee? The list goes on. The diversity is not only good for you, it will help your plate look as colorful and as multicultural as our islands!. Photos courtesy of 808 Organics
Last year in the United States, sales of organic food and products topped $48 billion — that’s up almost 10 percent over the previous year, according to the Organic Trade Association. And while this growing industry is showing no signs of stopping, organic farming is hardly a trend; it’s how our parents and grandparents tended…
We grew up valuing the wisdom of our elders — skills or ideals that “uncle” or “tutu” taught us, like sticking together, working smart and showing respect for our family and neighbors.
In July, City Mill Ltd. will celebrate 120 years of business in Honolulu. Their success is grounded in four generations of family wisdom. Our grandparents and parents loved shopping there, and today, we receive that same kindly respect and assistance every time we visit the store.
Vice President Carol Ai May and President Steven Ai are the third generation of their family running City Mill. This brother and sister are also part of a group of family caregivers who assist their mother and stepmother, now in their nineties. Their family culture of helping others began in the 1890s.
“Our father, David C. Ai, took over City Mill from his father, Chung Kun Ai, in 1961,” says Steven. “C.K. Ai was mentored in business by James I. Dowsett at the end of the 19th century, and became a respected businessman and leader of the Chinese community in the Territory of Hawai‘i. His ‘mill’ was once the biggest rice mill in the islands, hence ‘City Mill.’ The other side of his business was importing lumber from the Northwest. In the 1950s, many single-wall wood homes were built with our lumber, and we still try to sell hardware and fixtures for maintaining these homes. Later, Dad moved from commercial lumber into retail hardware.”
Three generations of City Mill Ltd.: When Steven and Carol were children, their grandfather, C.K. Ai, lived in their home. Following the wisdom of elders, helping the community and respecting others became a family and business culture to be celebrated. (L–R) David Ai, C.K Ai, Carol Ai, Lani Ai and Steven Ai.
City Mill Company Culture Values Community
Carol explains how their compassionate way of working with the O‘ahu community developed.
“We were in elementary school when Gung Gung (grandfather) passed away, but our grandparents lived in our home and we watched our parents care for them,” Carol says. “Our dad is gone now, too, but he passed down Gung Gung’s wise teaching: ‘When you drink water, remember the source.’ It means that everything we have is due to the community support of our business, so be humble and honor those who helped make you successful along the way. This adage is still our family and company value. We donate to community charities and treat our employees like family; when disasters strike and power goes down, we stay open so people can get the supplies they need to protect their homes.”
“Respect and compassion for others is the heart of our City Mill customer service,” says Carol. “Up until 1998, we used to hire people with plumbing, electrical or carpentry background. But now we hire people with good attitudes who like helping others. We figured that we can train associates about our products, but attitude and empathy come from within. We are looking for people who can help others and manage with compassion.”
Client Earl Omoto and Christopher Griffin talk shop.
Seniors Make Great Employees
Almost 300 employees are the face of City Mill to its many thousands of customers. The Ai family demonstrates how they value seniors by providing excellent customer service, but they also place a high value on senior employees.
“Seniors make great employees because they are helpful and knowledgeable,” says Carol. “We observe that they are less likely to regard their job as a steppingstone and they eagerly bond with the ‘team’ at any one of City Mill’s six stores.”
Ruby Cooper, Inventory Control Supervisor, Age 70
Ruby applied at the Mililani store 19 years ago, when she was 51 years old. Her husband was career military and they saw a lot of the world, but when they settled in Honolulu, Ruby was looking for a career where she could interact with people.
“I’m not good with names, but I know all our repeat customers’ faces,” says Ruby. “What our company does best is making eye contact and acknowledging the presence of every customer, every day. That’s our expertise. All who come in the door get the same help, young or old. Hey, people know what they want. All we have to do is listen and get them what they need. It’s a big store, but our garden guys are happy to escort a customer all the way to electrical — with a smile.”
Ruby oversees receiving, stocking and taking inventory of all the items in the Mililani store. She is a certified forklift operator and gets to work at 5 a.m., to manage inventory. When the doors open, she becomes a floor manager, handling customers calls and backing up the cashiers. Ruby says her job keeps both her mind and body active, and customers never guess that she is 70 years old. On Ruby’s bucket list is a little more traveling, walking the beach with her Cavalier Spaniel and spending more time with her family.
Ruby Cooper loves the work she does and the people around her, from workmates to her senior patrons.
“At my age, I have to accept that I can’t load a 94-pound bag of cement anymore,” says Carol. “So I say to seniors — realize your limitations, be smart and find new ways to work around activities that have become risky. Don’t stop doing what makes you happy — just do it differently. I love my job, so I plan to work here as long as I can contribute to the team — that’s a great comfort.”
Steven Ai says senior employees like Ruby add value to City Mill because they stick around and get very good at their jobs. They are eager to fit in and make friends with the other employees. In time, they develop good working relationships with customers. City Mill’s oldest employees are in their 80s, and common reasons seniors leave are: 1) they have to give up their driver’s license; or 2) their family wants them to stay home.
Christopher Griffin, Sales Associate, Age 67
Christopher Griffin is a human resources manager from Massachusetts. When he retired and moved to Hawai‘i, he opted for a more physically active job. He says his sales associate job is like a daily yoga class or a workout at the gym because the large City Mill floor plan requires him to cover a lot of ground.
“My job is healthy in so many ways,” says Christopher. “When I shopped at City Mill, I was so impressed. As a human resources guy, I knew this was a great company by the generous way the employees treated me and each other. The hiring process required me to interview with a whole panel of employees. What a novel idea — workers instinctively know who is going to fit in and work hard. I am so grateful that they picked me.”
Here’s what the employees saw in Griffin: he is politely upbeat and engaging. He calls himself a “MacGyver” because he likes to help people find solutions for their maintenance and home improvement problems. And that’s what clients want.
“Everybody who comes in here is looking for answers,” says Christopher. “Even when we don’t share the same native tongue, we can find the perfect material, hardware or fitting they need.
“There’s a lot of camaraderie among the employees, too — most have worked here many years, and when I started, they taught me about all these products,” says Christopher, “The more I learned, the better I could help customers. City Mill’s commitment to the O‘ahu community means our team is helping folks all over this island. I am so grateful for the team I work with: Donna, Tina, Irene, Ricky, Devon, Russell … I could name them all!
From Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves in Three Generations”
David Ai was the second generation. He encouraged Steven and Carol to pursue their passions and provided them with excellent educations. Both have business experiences outside City Mill. Steven studied business, and then worked in financial accounting and management consulting. After Carol earned her degree at Tufts University, she worked in commercial bank marketing and advertising before starting a juice company. Later, they became the third generation of City Mill.
Carol says, “My dad warned us about the old adage, ‘Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.’ It refers to the typical life cycle of a family-owned business: the first two generations grow the company and it fails in the third generation. Steven and I were determined not to fail, but when mainland big box home stores came to Hawai‘i in the ’90s, we faced a considerable challenge. Lowe’s and Home Depot moved in and built their stores near ours, but folks still come to us for personalized service; we see a strong future.”
Carol raised her two sons with this challenge: “If you decide that you want to work at City Mill, you must first earn bachelor degrees and MBAs, work outside the company for five or more years and get promoted along the way.” Both sons met this high standard and now one is working at City Mill. Before joining the team, he earned his MBA, did retail consulting, was a financial planner at Nike and Gap Inc., and then started two of his own businesses.
“As the fourth generation, my son brings technology, supply chain and digital/social media knowledge — current ways of doing business,” says Carol. “We don’t have to teach him our City Mill company culture because he grew up with it. He designed an online store so our customers can shop at home and pick up their orders in the store. Everything we do continues to focus on the very best service we can deliver to our customers.”
Helping Seniors Add Value to Their Lives
Behind every City Mill customer is a home or office repair, or a maintenance or improvement project. Seniors are replacing old stuff, downsizing, renovating or simplifying their active lifestyles. They are continually adding value to their homes, retirement businesses or pastimes. City Mill provides them materials and personalized, helpful tips.
Earl Omoto, 72
Earl Omoto, Commercial Diver & Homeowner, Age 72
Many City Mill senior customers are entrepreneurs. Earl Omoto is a semi-retired commercial diver who specializes in installing and repairing moorings — some up to 3,000 pounds. He also owns a rental property, which he recently renovated himself. His project included “snow coating” the shingle roof, replacing the flooring, retiling and re plumbing bathrooms, interior and exterior painting, and building custom counters and tables.
“I always shop City Mill first for supplies,” says Earl. “I like to be treated like a customer, not a browser. They have enough staff so you never have to hunt for a salesperson. The guys in red shirts know where everything is! I always compliment the team because I want them to keep doing exactly what they are doing.”
“Another thing I like is that nobody is ‘king’ at City Mill,” says Earl. “All the sales people work together — if one can’t help, he calls the next one to get you what you want. Wendell in plumbing, Gary and John in lumber, Glenn and Ron — are plenty helpful with a smile. When I needed help on my remodel, they gave me good suggestions.”
Earl’s rental house is all ready to go. He says he took his time and did a good job. He considers himself lucky because he has no health challenges, and to stay that way, he works out at the gym three or four days a week. He also likes to play his guitar. On his bucket list is a second trip to Hong Kong and Macau for sightseeing, shopping and fun.
The City Mill Team gave Christopher a warm send-off the day of our photoshoot. He will be caring for a family member on the mainland for a while. His City Mill family understands the importance of helping seniors and honoring family. (L–R, top) Desiree, Charles, Cody, Chris, Dennis, Tanya, (bottom) Donna, Brian and Melvin.
Owen Oda, Handyman & Small Renovations, Age 65
“I go to City Mill a lot because it’s a store that makes sense,” says Owen. “They sell hardware in bins that are clearly labeled with a picture and specs for each bolt, nut, screw or washer. It’s easy to find what you need and you can buy the exact number you want. I appreciate efficiency.
“For my small jobs, I need pieces of plywood and two by fours cut to exact lengths and dimensions. City Mill employees in the lumber dept will do the precise cuts for me — no waiting around. They can cut jalousie glass to size and thread pipes — and it’s not expensive. Best of all, their employees know what they’re doing, and they are eager to help.”
A handyman for 15 years, Owen says he may be just a little weaker than in his youth, but he stays very healthy by drinking lots of water every day. His bucket list includes seeing his kids settled and then helping with the grandchildren.
“Another thing; when I walk into the store, they always ask me if I need a wagon and if I will need help getting items off the upper shelves,” says Owen. “That’s a good service for seniors like me, but I watch them do the same thing for every customer! Do you know that all the cashiers know me by name? There are very few stores like City Mill — it’s a good place.”
Seniors Value Kindness
Seniors respond positively to authentic respect and kind concern. We repay kindly businesses with loyalty and referrals. We remember the days when most companies focused on serving the customer — when personal attention and pampering was not restricted to high-end boutiques or hotel spas. Every shopkeeper appreciated our purchases; we were served with respect at the feed store, bakery, barber shop and corner seed shop.
Hoo-ray for City Mill! The Ai family business model values people, including seniors. Their genius is not only preserving a deeply held family ideal, but also practicing it in their lumber and hardware business, and teaching generations of employees and customers to value each other and to respect the sources of their success.
In July, the City Mill team will celebrate 120 years of business — helping generations of Honolulu builders and homeowners find the right materials for their projects. When you next visit City Mill, congratulate the salespersons, cashiers and managers. Let them know how much you appreciate the way they value seniors. The message on the backs of their red T-shirts sounds like an ad, but it’s the wisdom of the Ai family business: “What are you working on? I can help.”
CITY MILL COMPANY LTD.
660 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu HI 96817 808-533-3811 | www.citymill.com Check online for details of their other locations: Ewa Beach, Hawaii Kai, Kaimuki, Kaneohe and Mililani.
In July, City Mill Ltd. will celebrate 120 years of business in Honolulu. Their success is grounded in four generations of family wisdom. Our grandparents and parents loved shopping there, and today, we receive that same kindly respect and assistance every time we visit the store. Vice President Carol Ai May and President Steven Ai…
This is a great appetizer because of its big, two-level crunch — first, the happy pop of the tobikko and then the satisfying crunch of the crostini. It’s perfect for afternoon gatherings with a favorite white wine or beer.
INGREDIENTS
‘Ahi spread
2 lbs. ‘ahi, ¼-inch or less, diced
1/2 cup tobikko fish eggs
1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
1/4 tsp. wasabi paste or wasabi oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt, fresh ground Black pepper, to taste
Crostini
1 baguette, sliced into rounds 1/4” thick Extra-virgin olive oil Garlic salt
DIRECTIONS (Serves 10):
In a bowl, combine all of the ‘ahi spread ingredients and keep well chilled until ready to serve. To make the crostini (you can also purchase prepared crostini), brush each slice of bread with a little olive oil and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes or until crispy. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with garlic salt or an herbed salt blend. Top each crostini with a rounded teaspoon of the ‘ahi spread and serve. Total time: 30 minutes
CHEF MICHI’S COOKING FRESH | cookingfreshforyou@gmail.com
Queens POB III – 550 S. Beretania St. | Honolulu Community College – 874 Dillingham Blvd. Cooking FRESH Food Truck: Corner of Pahoakalani & Cartwright
This is a great appetizer because of its big, two-level crunch — first, the happy pop of the tobikko and then the satisfying crunch of the crostini. It’s perfect for afternoon gatherings with a favorite white wine or beer.
A lot of people, especially those new to the islands, say Hawai‘i doesn’t have seasons, but longtime locals know that’s not true — we have whale season, hurricane season and the most important, mango season!
Friday, June 21, 2019 – 4:30pm – 9pm Saturday, June 22, 2019 – 10am – 9pm FRANK F. FASI CIVIC GROUNDS – 550 S. King Street, Honolulu
Whether you prefer to eat your mango in bread, jam or just off the tree, come celebrate Hawai‘i’s favorite fruit at Mango Jam Honolulu. It’s a free annual event for the whole family with live entertainment, food and craft booths, cultural activities, a beer garden and a farmers market.
Located in the backyard of Honolulu Hale, Mango Jam Honolulu features some of the best Mango offerings on O‘ahu. Park for free at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Parking Lot or across the street at the new Joint Management Traffic Center.
With an all-day musical lineup, catch Iron Mango, 10 Feet, Kapena and more on the Mango Stage. Browse Mango Row for the latest designs and crafts from Hawai‘i creatives. Pick up a snack or cocktail at the Mango Lounge and Cafe, or grab some local goodies from the Mango Market.
Saturday kicks off with a recipe contest to find the best “Sweet Mango Delight” and “Savory Mango Masterpiece.” Then, who will be crowned master of the mango? Taste along as chefs from two popular local restaurants — Vino and Sansei — battle it out during the BBQ Cook-off.
With free cultural activities for the whole family, you can practice pounding poi with a papa and pohaku at a ku‘i ‘ai class, get hands-on with lomilomi massage and lā‘au lapa‘au, or show off your skills at the Makahiki games.
So don’t miss the sweetest celebration of the summer! Check www.mangojamhonolulu.com for more details and a full lineup of the annual two-day event.
A lot of people, especially those new to the islands, say Hawai‘i doesn’t have seasons, but longtime locals know that’s not true — we have whale season, hurricane season and the most important, mango season! Whether you prefer to eat your mango in bread, jam or just off the tree, come celebrate Hawai‘i’s favorite fruit…
If hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people, then get ready for some cardio, because the 42nd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is almost here!
Featuring two days of hula, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair, cultural demonstrations and more, the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i returns for the third year.
PRINCE LOT HULA FESTIVAL — ‘Iolani Palace Saturday & Sunday, July 20 – 21 at 9 am
Everyone is welcome to this free, family-friendly event, and is encouraged to bring a chair or mat and enjoy the show from the lawn.
This celebration honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who helped revive Hawaiian culture. During his reign as Kamehameha V (1863 to 1872), he repealed laws that banned traditional practices such as hula. He also created the Royal Order of Kamehameha to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha the Great.
Aloha e komo mai. Come and join the festivities with the whole family. Make it an aloha day! Photos courtesy of Moanalua Gardens Foundation of the 2018 event.
Founded in 1978 by the Moanalua Garden Foundation (MGF), the festival invites hālau from every major island and attracts thousands of residents and visitors each year. This year’s theme is I Mua E Nā Pōki’i, Move Forward, O Youth and represents the passing of hula traditions to the next generation, the keepers of the culture.
Saturday’s opening ceremonies will include the Royal Order of Kamehameha, presentation of MGF’s Malia Kau Award to renown Kumu Hula Iris Naleialoha Napaepae-Kunewa of Hawai‘i Island, followed by an impressive lineup of premier hālau hula who will perform both kāhiko (ancient) and ‘auana (contemporary) hula.
As part of the opening program on Sunday, MGF will honor chanter Kamuela Chun from Hilo with its Namakahelu Oli Award. Local food and refreshments will be available for purchase and limited edition T-shirts and souvenir kōkua buttons will be for sale. So come down and enjoy the fun, food and festivities in the magnificent setting of ‘Iolani Palace.
For a complete schedule and hālau line-up, visit Moanalua Gardens Foundation online.
MOANALUA GARDENS FOUNDATION 808-839-5334 | www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org A nonprofit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture and environment of Hawai‘i through education and stewardship of Kamananui (Moanalua) Valley and celebration of the Prince Lot Hula Festival at ‘Iolani Palace. MGF depends upon grants and donations to cover festival costs. To make a donation or become a member, visit the foundation online.
If hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people, then get ready for some cardio, because the 42nd Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival is almost here! Featuring two days of hula, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair, cultural demonstrations and more, the largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i returns for the third year on Saturday and Sunday,…
Growing up in Hawai‘i, I played a ten-hole harmonica by ear, but lost interest because I could only play the same old songs and was not getting any better. As the years sped by and before I found anything interesting to enrich my life, I became a senior facing retirement. Doing nothing was not an option so I began to search for the elusive experience that would bring harmony into my life.
One day, I went to a concert and saw a group of seniors playing with a tremolo 21-hole harmonica. Everyone wore attractive red and white uniforms that enhanced the lively group’s sense of harmony. I was amazed by the variety of songs they played — sometimes with two harmonicas simultaneously. At the end of this wonderful performance, I knew this is what I had been searching for.
My retirement dream of doing something worthwhile became a reality when I joined the Small World Harmonica Band, an ethnically diverse group from all walks of life. I was immediately introduced to an exciting world that not only renewed my interest in playing the harmonica but also made me a member of a friendly social group.
The beginner’s group met weekly in free classes; we learned to read numerical notes, breathing techniques, and how to hold and properly clean the harmonica. It also provides health benefits by exercising the lungs and stimulates the mind from reading numerical notes and transposing them into music. After learning the fundamentals, we began to play a variety of music including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, American and Latin songs.
Stanley plays with his harmonica group at events and senior centers.
By diligently practicing, I finally felt comfortable performing at care homes, senior centers and adult living facilities. Entertaining this audience, many in wheelchairs who smile and applaud as we play music of their bygone days, is a heartwarming and memorable experience. But, the real beneficiaries of this entertainment, I truly believe,
are the players themselves, since it lifts their spirits and gives them a good feeling.
The Hawai‘i Harmonica Society will celebrate its 22nd annual recital and concert at the Mission Memorial Auditorium, City Hall Annex, on Saturday, July 13, from 10 am to noon. This program is free and open to the public, and free parking is available at the municipal parking lot at Beretania and Alapai Streets (Beretania Street entrance).
Anyone interested in joining a group and learning to play the harmonica, contact any of the phone numbers listed below — I’m sure you’ll find it enjoyable.
Growing up in Hawai‘i, I played a ten-hole harmonica by ear, but lost interest because I could only play the same old songs and was not getting any better. As the years sped by and before I found anything interesting to enrich my life, I became a senior facing retirement. Doing nothing was not an…
I’ve never been old before so this is a new experience for me. After retiring from a 37-year career, I found myself adrift. What should I do now? The days seemed very long as I pondered what I should fill them with. Life looks very different when you remove yourself from the “working world.” You feel as though you are invisible when you are with other people.
“What do you do?
“I’m retired.”
“Oh. What did you use to do?”
Joy Fellowship members always cherish getting together at every meeting.
Already you begin to feel as though life is now passing you by — at least in the eyes of others.
The next phase in this process of aging out of the working world is to rethink whether you should have retired or not.
“Maybe it was too soon. Maybe I should have kept working.”
This definitely did not help me in adjusting to the life I am now living.
Finally, I realized there was no turning back. I needed to face what was ahead and make the most of it.
Now that you are not part of a work community, you can feel isolated. Well, I’ve always heard that if you want a friend then be a friend. Maybe it was time to try this out. As I began taking the initiative and making lunch appointments, I found that others were going through the same experiences as I was. This shared feeling made me feel better.
Then I began to hear about different activities available during the week for retirees — but nothing sounded good to me. Then I heard about something at our church that was open to all. You didn’t need to attend our church or even go to church at all, so I decided to try it out. It turned out to be just what I needed.
(L–R) Steven enjoys the company of his friends, Ginny and Ada.
Joy Fellowship meets every Thursday from 9 am to noon and is open to non-church or other church seniors. It is a well-planned time that includes a variety of activities — crafts, singing, sharing, exercises, a short message of interest — to keep people involved and entertained. The morning ends with a healthy lunch.
There are also special events during the year, such as monthly visits from the Kalihi Union Church Preschool (it’s great to see seniors and children together), a day trip to Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Gardens (includes a ride in a school bus, unless you drive) and a Senior Olympics usually held during the summer. Currently, there are about 80 seniors attending.
It’s not easy in today’s world to find a place you can go to and feel cared for — especially if you are a senior. Joy Fellowship is open to all and perhaps if you are reading this, you will be motivated to check them out on Thursdays at Kalihi Union Church.
I’ve never been old before so this is a new experience for me. After retiring from a 37-year career, I found myself adrift. What should I do now? The days seemed very long as I pondered what I should fill them with. Life looks very different when you remove yourself from the “working world.” You…
For most mature employed people, work was considered having a job with one or two companies in a working lifetime. Now retired, many may still have debt; few have the savings to take them through their remaining years.
Countless mature workers believe that just one more job, perhaps much like the one they just left, is all they need to secure their futures.
Unfortunately, those jobs may no longer exist or they may have been completely re-framed so that they are no longer a possibility for most mature workers. However, key pieces of the job they once held are likely to be important to employers and/or clients as organizations struggle to do more with less in order to remain competitive and successful.
The boomer dilemma is realizing that the previous slow march to the future is now a race to understand and adapt to meeting unprecedented problems with a new game plan. The boomer proposition: New strategies and new options — not old tactics and old jobs — that are the order of this new day. Adaptation is the key.
Instead of thinking of work as your next job, think of work as your contribution to both your community and your wallet!
Here are a few ways to reach for viable, near term income through work that matters.
Work from home. Almost 2 million Americans (including many thousand in our beautiful islands) have embraced the idea of working from the comfort of their home office or couch. It is a strong recommendation for people seeking to increase their work-life balance. Google the term and be amazed at how many opportunities are presented.
Consider freelancing.Up to 40 percent of new opportunities within today’s organizations will not be full-time. These flexible opportunities are often perfect for mature, independent workers who market and deliver their own unique services when and as needed at their own choice.
Create a portfolio.Some have success by putting together short-term contract or part-time work in order to develop and ensure a balanced flow of income from multiple sources.
Note that nowhere in our suggestions is the word “consultant”— an old word that has become synonymous with someone offering high-priced advice. Instead, refer to yourself according to what you do.
And no matter what you end up doing, there are a lot of options for life after retirement. A great place to start is asking family and friends. There are a lot of jobs and opportunities, once you realize there’s a new way to work.
For most mature employed people, work was considered having a job with one or two companies in a working lifetime. Now retired, many may still have debt; few have the savings to take them through their remaining years. Countless mature workers believe that just one more job, perhaps much like the one they just left,…
For over 30 years, the City and County of Honolulu have run its “Senior Classic Games” at the Halawa District Park. Games were held in the gym and on the softball fields on March 21. Generations Magazine provided the medals in two age groups. As in the past years, Herbert Yasuhara, the founder of these games which brings the city’s senior clubs together, was in attendance. He and all who attended had a great time!
For over 30 years, the City and County of Honolulu have run its “Senior Classic Games” at the Halawa District Park. Games were held in the gym and on the softball fields on March 21. Generations Magazine provided the medals in two age groups. As in the past years, Herbert Yasuhara, the founder of these…
It’s called the “Longevity Revolution” as our world’s population is getting older. We all know that we are living longer these days; however, when you think about the history of humanity, we have never lived this long at any time in the past. In the United States, we have more people over the age of 65 than the whole population of Canada. Its unprecedented, daunting and challenging — all at the same time.
Researchers who have been studying this aging phenomenon tell us that we have someone on this Earth right now who will live to 120 and probably even longer. The fastest growing numbers of the aging are the 80-plus age group — that’s not even counting the baby boomers just yet. We are simply living longer than ever before and living to 100 will be our new norm. According to Aging Guru Dr. Ken Dychtwald, “We’re not only living longer, we are staying older longer than ever before.”
Hawai‘i is the healthiest state with the longest life expectancy (average around 81 to 82). Going forward in the next 10 to 20 years, we will push these statistics even higher to nearly 90 years of age. And that’s if you think you are average. What’s next for our kūpuna in Hawai‘i?
Baby boomers are leading the way in changing aging in this world as we see it. Boomers are the ones who will challenge ageism, bring more into our world with the use of technology, improving and demanding better caregiving services, fighting elder abuse and creating the new normal of our aging process, redefining what “old” means.
Lastly, most people in our country and Hawai‘i think Medicare will pay for long-term care services and the cost of dealing with Alzheimer’s care. The fact is Medicare won’t cover those services.
We at Generations Magazine, GM Radio/TV shows, our social media platforms, and including all our workshops, promote active aging and the need to start planning your long-term care needs going forward — from this day onward.
It’s called the “Longevity Revolution” as our world’s population is getting older. We all know that we are living longer these days; however, when you think about the history of humanity, we have never lived this long at any time in the past. In the United States, we have more people over the age of…
At home in O‘ahu, Harry relaxes in the living room of their 1931 house, recently renovated so that they might age in place. Next to his chair is a bookcase full of vintage recordings.
It’s Sunday afternoon! “Welcome to ‘Territorial Airwaves,’” echoes the AM940 Hawai‘i announcer, followed by a long steamy blast of a cruise ship’s horn. And then, like a playful ocean breeze, the cadence of Harry B. Soria’s happy voice bids us e komo mai and stay awhile. Gently, he calls us back to simpler days with the hapa-haole and not-so-haole music of old Hawai‘i — passed down in families and among Hawai‘i musicians for a hundred years. Listeners who grew up in the heyday of radio may have danced to these tunes or seen live performances; for the younger audience, Harry B. is the guardian, guru and guide back to Hawai‘i’s best music — from monarchy to statehood and beyond to the 60s, 70s and 80s.
If you are thinking that “Territorial Airwaves” weekly broadcasts are small potatoes, think again. Passengers on Hawaiian Airlines tap their feet to the “Territorial Airwaves” in-flight audio selection. Harry B. and his radio show have earned nine Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, including the 2017 Krash Kealoha Industry Award for lifetime achievement. For nearly 40 years, Harry B. has been entertaining and educating audiences with the backstory of Hawai‘i’s most celebrated composers, musicians and performers — collapsing the time between us and the free-wheeling innocence and excitement of Hawai‘i’s past.
Music evokes our emotions and memories, but here we have a profound and enduring connection to the sky, land, sea and people of Hawai‘i. We are a chop suey people with a broad taste for jazz, salsa, swing, romantic “pili mai” love songs and tender family ballads; but we also adore paniolo cut-time, sassy ‘okole hao tavern songs, ‘auana hula and hukilau ditties. ‘Auwe! We cope with sad goodbyes by singing songs about waves lapping at the shore, pikake-scented tradewinds brushing by palms and moonlight sparkling on the ocean. Territorial music is not a collection of tunes, but our heritage — fused to our fondest memories
Celebrating 40 Years of Broadcasts
“Territorial Airwaves” will celebrate its 40th anniversary of broadcasting Friday, June 14, at the Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where Harry B. used to broadcast live. He and his wife, Kumu Hula Kilohana Silve, are planning a massive ho‘olaule‘a with a traditional buffet dinner, a broad array of fantastic Hawaiian entertainment and a huge silent auction. Funds from this celebration will support the preservation of Hawai‘i music through The Hawaiian Music Archives Foundation. Tickets to this splendid event cost $150 per person and are now available at www.TerritorialAirwaves.com.
Over the last 40 years, Harry B. has collected and cataloged over 70,000 recordings and 10,000 vinyl and acetate records, as well as thousands of liner notes, photographs and memorabilia.
The foundation will create a public repository where this music history of Hawai‘i may be safely preserved and made available to the public.
“The Hawaiian Music Archives Foundation will prepare a user-friendly digital archive system so young musicians and the public may easily access this wonderful music resource,” says Harry B.
Kilohana says that two hālau will be assisting at the event. “Harry is too ha‘aha‘a to say this but preserving recorded and notated Hawaiian music is an important worldwide legacy project. The international live broadcast of ‘Hawaii Calls’ planted cultural seeds in many countries; fans of Hawaiian culture, dance and music literally cover the globe. Those who listened to Hawaiian music as kids now stream ‘Territorial Airwaves’ broadcast online. They pass on to their families the dream that ‘Someday, I’m going to get to Hawai‘i.’”
Harry smiles. “Dad always wanted me to make a trans-Pacific broadcast of ‘Territorial Airwaves’ like he did with his ‘Voice of Hawaii’ show on KGU and NBC in the 1930s. Fortunately, technology caught up with us and live streaming allows music lovers from every country to listen. The foundation will make digital recordings and image files available in perpetuity to everyone.”
100 Years of the Soria Family in Hawai‘i
This year also marks 100 years in Hawai‘i for the Soria family, called “the first family of Hawai‘i Radio.” In the 20s, Harry B.’s grandfather, Harry G. Soria, was friends with Marion Mulroney, who operated KGU radio, the station affiliated with the Honolulu Advertiser. He sold airtime and commercial spots for them. In 1934, his son Harry B. Soria (Harry B.’s father), got a job at the Star Bulletin’s rival radio station, KGMB, where he pioneered remote broadcasting — by laying a wire from the old Star Bulletin building across Bishop Street and down Alakea to do a promotion at the famous Radio Repair company. He booked the Bright Brothers to perform and it was a hit. Soon, Harry G. recruited his son to KGU to host an on-location traveling show called “Going To Town with Harry Soria,” which drew attention to Honolulu shops, events and community gatherings. Listeners from O‘ahu and Neighbor Island plantation communities tuned in and flocked to enjoy Honolulu’s growing urban scene.
Harry B. Soria Sr.’s remarkable career in announcing, marketing and record production earned him the moniker, “The Voice of Hawaii.”
Webley Edwards, produced and announced “Hawaii Calls” live dance party, broadcast from the Moana Hotel.
1935–1975: 40 Years of “Hawai‘i Calls” Radio
A year later in 1935, Webley Edwards had an idea to do an on-location dance party show at the Moana Hotel at Waikīkī with a shortwave radio hookup to NBC in San Francisco and a connection to the Mutual Broadcasting Network of local stations across the U.S.
Harry B. tells us that the first time Webley tested the hookup, the telephone operator said “Hawai‘i calling…,” so Edwards named his new show “Hawaii Calls.” Edwards directed and produced the show, which always started with the live sound of waves coming in at Waikīkī Beach and Edwards’ lilting voice reading his script. Harry Owens and the Royal Hawaiian Orchestra set the mood and featured all the best musicians in Hawai‘i.
Besides dance numbers, “Hawaii Calls” showcased the biggest singing stars like Alfred Apaka, Johnny Almeida, Ray Andrade, Marlene Sai, Ray Kinney, Dave McIntyre and Don Ho, all under the musical direction of Al Kealoha Perry. Performers and songs heard on “Hawaii Calls” became so popular on the mainland that the Lexington Hotel in New York City presented a live Hawaiian show every night; Hawai‘i big bands and vocal stars flew to New York for gigs that would last three months or longer. Hawai‘i music and hula was the rage.
Disc jockey Harry B. Soria Sr. spinned 78s on KGU Radio in the old Honolulu Advertiser building.
Radio was big entertainment in the 30s and big business on the weekends. At KGU studios on the third floor of the Honolulu Advertiser building, Harry B. Soria Sr. ran his own live-audience radio shows —with Charles E. King, Johnny Almeida, the Bina Mossman Glee Club and the trans-Pacific NBC broadcast of “The Voice of Hawaii.” The audience was separated from bands and performers by a plate glass screen; broadcast mics were “inside the booth.” Audience response was piped in and controlled with a switch by the program director.
Harry Sr. also broadcast his own shows that featured the most popular recorded
music of the day, live interviews and called-in listener requests that he personally announced.
When commercial air travel to Hawai‘i began after WWII, mainlanders who had grown up on tunes from the Land of Aloha could not wait to visit Honolulu; innovative radio had created a national market for Hawaiian culture. After 40 years, “Hawaii Calls” signed off the air in 1975, a year which was also the flash-point for a Hawaiian cultural renaissance. Television was the new darling, and after a few more years, Harry Sr. retired.
Harry B. Soria, Jr. broadcasting on KCCN 1420 AM radio in Honolulu, Hawaii. Much of the equipment in this studio of 1980 is no longer used in the industry. Today, Harry B. continues to create the sound of yesteryear in state-of-the-art broadcast facilities.
Hawai‘i Music History — The Trunk of Destiny
One weekend in 1976, 28-year-old Harry B. Soria Jr., asked his dad if he had saved any 78 rpm vinyl records from the “old days.” Harry Jr. remembered singers, musicians and composers coming to their home in ‘Āina Haina when
he was a kid. His father never encouraged him to take up a career in radio, so he was happily working in the private sector doing accounting and financial services. But he was fascinated by Honolulu Skylark’s KCCN 1420 AM radio show, where she played old 78s from pre-statehood days. Harry Jr. had a heart
for Hawaiian culture and knew that these old Hawaiian recordings were an important connection to the past.
Harry Sr. led him to a dusty steamer trunk in their garage filled with the contents of his desk from Monday night, Dec. 8, 1941— his last radio broadcasting day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese had used the “Voice Of Hawaii” trans-Pacific broadcast frequency to navigate their bombers to the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawai‘i’s business community anticipated that the Japanese might attack the Territory of Hawai‘i and put a disaster plan in place in 1941. Harry Sr. was charged with screening all long-distance calls to and from Hawai‘i, so that no classified information would be available to foreign forces. On Sunday, Dec. 7, he listened to a conversation between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and governor of the territory, Joseph Poindexter. On Monday, he cleared out all the records from his office. Announcers like Webley Edwards became war correspondents, and Harry Sr. became a lead radio and long-distance telephone censor for U.S. Navy Intelligence, assigned to Midway Island until 1946.
A Passion for Authentic Hawaiian Music
The trunk held plenty of 78 records, acetate records, tape recordings, lead sheets for live musicians, broadcast playlists, contracts and memos. This valuable cache of Hawaiian music history began Harry Jr.’s quest to learn about and preserve as much old Hawaiian recorded music as he could. Until his death in 1990, Harry Sr. mentored Harry Jr., sharing the history of authentic Hawai‘i music.
Harry Jr. was catching Skylark’s show one day when she posed a rhetorical question about a strange shuffling noise in the background of “Hawaiian Vamp” by Johnny Noble, recorded live at the Moana Hotel.
“I asked Dad about the background noise and he explained that the ballroom floor was open to the shore, and sand would blow in or get tracked in. As couples danced, the sand underfoot made a shuffling noise on the wood floor that the live mics picked up. When I told Skylark, she wanted me to do my own show. But Dad counseled me to keep my day job and pursue radio as a hobby.”
In June 1979, Harry Jr. became the third generation of Soria men in radio as “Harry B.” with his weekly broadcast of “Territorial Airwaves” on KCCN 1420 AM. His “history of Hawaiian music” theme was well-received by the audience
for this hugely popular AM station that outperformed most of the FM channels. So, Harry B. began living his dream, doing one show a week, fulfilling his passion and kuleana to preserve Hawaiian recorded music.
Harry B. Soria, Jr. broadcasts “Territorial Airwaves” in a modern studio. Above: Young traditional musicians Raiatea Helm and Nā Hoa tapped into Harry B.’s territorial music collection to discover authentic vintage tunes and lyrics that helped them develop their successful careers.
Guardian, Guru and Guide of Hawaii Music
“I felt a deep responsibility as a Hawai‘i boy and the son of radio greats to preserve traditional Hawai‘i recordings and broadcasts of the era between the monarchy and statehood — all the music that traveled through the ‘ether,’” says
Harry B. “Dad lived to 85 and he was my consultant for almost 11 years. I realized that music is an expression of the the times. Driving through town, he would tell me things like, ‘That medical complex on the corner of Ke‘eaumoku and Beretania used to be Dairyman’s Purity Inn ice cream parlor,’ or ‘This is the tune that made the Manhattan Cake Walk dance all the rage!’ I would just listen and write down all he shared. Soon, I patched together a slice of time that I felt I knew and understood. The more I learned, the more comfortable I became with ideas, motivations and limitations of life in the Territorial era.
“Dad always encouraged me and listened to every show. As soon as I got home, the phone would ring. He would say, ‘Great broadcast. You know, I was thinking about what you said and that song was actually…’ That was how I learned so much! I worked for several firms and finally retired from Sony Corporation in 2014, but never missed a show. Radio, nostalgia and history were my passion.
“Some folks said my gig would never last, but it’s about to outrun ‘Hawaii Calls’ as the longest regular Hawai‘i music broadcast. When I started, there was negative sentiment about the whole territorial period after the fall of the monarchy, including the popular music and shows of Waikīkī. Since the cultural renewal has taken root, young musicians want to learn the musical stylings and lyrics that are preserved in our early recordings,” says Harry B.
Harry in Paris, where he and Kilohana support L’Association France-Hawaii and an annual hula festival.
Harry B.: Music Historian and Curator
Today, Harry B. is the nexus of Hawai‘i music history, the guardian of a vast amount of information about the works and cultural impact of composers, musicians, producers and broadcasters who pioneered the Hawai‘i radio and music industry. Harry B. has grown a large fan base that includes young musicians who want to follow the traditions of territorial steel guitar and slack key
guitar, big band arrangements and swing style. Readers 50 years old and older have been listening to “Territorial Airwaves” and learning about old Hawaiian music their whole lives.
Also to his credit are some 30 albums of authentic Hawaiian music recordings that he produced on the Cord International label.
Considering the magnitude of his legacy — over 70,000 archived song recordings, 10,000-plus vintage vinyl records and thousands of photos, liner notes, original album covers and memorabilia — we asked Harry B. what advice he gives to seniors and retirees. He says that he and his wife, Kilohana, have a family mantra, which is to approach every day with the intention to “stay relevant.”
Kilohana and Harry B. host a keiki hula workshop in Chigasaki, Japan.
Harry B.’s Advice: Follow Your Passion and Remain Relevant
Like all of us, Harry B.’s life turned up and down. He encourages other seniors to
pursue their passions.
“In the private sector, companies go through business cycles and hard times,” says Harry. “My jobs have been downsized and outsourced; companies have been sold or closed. I went through a divorce. But my mission to preserve the music was a constant. The satisfaction of moving forward on my mission always kept me going. I knew I was on track because young musicians and vocalists were taking an interest in traditional tunes. They were coming to me for songs that had been forgotten. They wanted original recordings of the pioneers and experts of steel guitar and original arrangements and phrasing of classics. I was privileged to help artists like Nā Hoa and Raiatea Helm find their music heritage.”
A Mākaha Sons show poster for a 2008 performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC; Harry B. was emcee.
Even though Harry B. Soria is a public figure, at one point he found himself alone in his private life.
Harry B. Soria, Jr., along with Pumehana Silve for Generations Magazine.
“At age 60 and approaching retirement, I felt disappointed. I had no grandchildren and after my divorce, I could not believe I would be living out my life as a single man,” he says.
But as we say in Hawai‘i, “‘A‘ale pohō.” In 2015, Harry met Kumu Hula Sandra Kilohana Silve of Hālau Hula o Mānoa and president of L’Association France-Hawai‘i in Paris. After graduating from the University of Hawai‘i in 1972, Kilohana studied art history and French language in Paris. She became a teacher of art history, worked as an art critic and shared her culture. She married and raised her daughter in France.
Kumu Hula Kilohana trained with Kumu Hula Emma Bishop, Ellen Castillo, George Holokai and Kimo Alama Keaulana, and studies chant under Kumu Sam ‘Ohu Gon of Hālau Mele. In Paris, Kilohana developed a hula hālau that expanded to Rome through one of her students. Another student choreographed a hula to Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose,” translated into Hawaiian by Sam Gon. Besides starting an international hula festival in France, she aided the Chigasaki Makana Hula Festival in Japan. A Juneau, Alaska, branch of her hālau performed for the annual Alaska Folk Festival.
Kilohana was widowed and returned in 2005 to live in Mānoa, where she became a docent at Mānoa Heritage Center and continues to teach and choreograph hula for haumana in Europe, Asia, Alaska and Greenland. With decades of success behind them and the support of long-standing audiences, Harry B. and Kilohana understand the dichotomy between art and the business of performance. Each has respect for the other’s cultural kuleana and talent. In 2017, they married.
Passing On a Legacy to the Community
“We fell in love and never looked back,” says Harry. “We never argue and our daughter is a joy. I have two very French grandsons with Hawaiian names. It’s amazing, but our public and private lives are compatible on both sides of the world. We are blessed to find love late in life.”
Harry B, offers us the last seven years of his weekly broadcasts free-for-the-clicking on his interactive, fun website, www.TerritorialAirwaves.com. He also posted a big photo gallery of radio, recording and television stars going back to the 20s. Dubbed “The Encyclopedia of Hawai‘i music,” Harry B.’s website is a treasure trove of historical notes on performances, venues, studios and music producers.
Says Harry, “We aspire to remain as relevant as we possibly can. As I reach
70 and ‘Territorial Airwaves’ turns 40, the Hawaiian Music Archives Foundation will preserve and make public my personal recording collection and the collections of other Hawai‘i music enthusiasts wherever they live. All these precious materials have been given to me by my father and Hawai‘i music lovers. But we are the stewards — they belong to Hawai‘i.
We Want More Hawaiian Music!
If we had to say goodbye to steel guitar slides, ‘ukulele chalanglang, honky-tonk piano vamps or resonant slack key, would aloha die? Of course not. Lapping waves and swaying palms would inspire composers to new musical creations, but we might miss the textures and tunes of Hawai‘i that the kūpuna used to tell our story of aloha. Thanks to the kuleana and vision of the Soria family, authentic Hawaiian recordings of the past will be preserved. Tomorrow’s musicians will have the opportunity to hear the sounds and language of the kūpuna and weave their flowers into the golden lei of Hawaiian music.
Join Us in Support of the Hawai‘i Music Archives Foundation
At Generations Magazine we cherish and promote the benefits of “legacy”— passing on traditions, achievements and wisdom to the next generation. We encourage our readers who love the music of Hawai‘i to support the Hawaiian Music Archives Foundation in any way you can. Perhaps your hula class or choir can donate a small gift or do a benefit performance. Get a group of friends to buy a gala ticket for a promising musician or broadcaster who loves old Hawaiian tunes. Or just go to the “Territorial Airwaves” website and make a donation. If you’ve enjoyed listening to “Territorial Airwaves” over the last 40 years, maybe this is the time to say “mahalo” and help Harry B. make all this music available to your grandchildren.
If you are descended from the great families of Hawaiian music of the 40s 50s and 60s, supporting the archives honors the talent of your kūpuna. There is nothing more important to an artist than to be remembered in the public space of a museum. These music archives are a beautiful digital museum of territorial Hawaiian music and beyond to the 80s.
40th Anniversary Celebration!
Friday, June 14, 2019
Monarch Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Tickets: www.TerritorialAirwaves.com
It’s Sunday afternoon! “Welcome to ‘Territorial Airwaves,’” echoes the AM940 Hawai‘i announcer, followed by a long steamy blast of a cruise ship’s horn. And then, like a playful ocean breeze, the cadence of Harry B. Soria’s happy voice bids us e komo mai and stay awhile. Gently, he calls us back to simpler days with…
Last year in the United States, sales of organic food and products topped $48 billion — that’s up almost 10 percent over the previous year, according to the Organic Trade Association. And while this growing industry is showing no signs of stopping, organic farming is hardly a trend; it’s how our parents and grandparents tended to their crops and cattle. Then in the 1950s, pesticides and artificial fertilizers were introduced — creating what is now called “conventionally-grown” food. So what’s the difference and why does it matter?
While the argument to eat organic seems simple, choosing organic isn’t always easy — it’s harder to find and usually more expensive. But there are ways to go organic on a budget.
