Forever Young

Lanakila Pacific president and CEO Rona Fukumoto and event ambassador Danny Kaleikini.

This month’s Young at Heart Expo: An Event for Hawai‘i’s 50+ at Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall not only promises to be memorable, but also loads of fun for the entire family.

When the first-ever Young at Heart Expo: An Event for Hawai‘i’s 50+ takes over Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20-22, expect a number of attractions the entire family can enjoy.

In addition to two slot machine stations, the Young at Heart Expo will feature appearances by celebrities.

Put on by Star Events, a division of O‘ahu Publications Inc. — which publishes Honolulu Star-Advertiser, The Garden Island, Hawai‘i Tribune-Herald, West Hawai‘i Today, MidWeek and specialty publications that include HILuxury and hotel magazines — and presented by MDX Hawai‘i and UnitedHealthcare, the free three-day event promises something for everyone.

Sure, there will be quite a bit to take in for more mature audiences. In fact, a breadth of educational seminars and health and wellness activities will be offered each day. But with multigenerational homes on the rise, issues that pertain to Hawai‘i’s older — and, ahem, wiser — crowd apply to pretty much all.

“We have parents, and we, too, are aging,” says Gerald Shintaku, director of Star Events. “It is never too early to start planning, so any and every age is invited to attend.”

That being said, the event guarantees a whole lot of fun, too.

“I am excited that the new Young at Heart Expo will feature notable brands and specialty providers from across the islands,” says Dennis Francis, president and publisher of Honolulu Star-Advertiser and O‘ahu Publications Inc.

For starters, fans of the ninth island should look forward to two slot machine stations, with chances to win daily trips to Las Vegas, courtesy of Vacations Hawai‘i, while a grand prize of an Alaska Airlines flight will be awarded Sunday.

Other highlights include The Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show at noon Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22. Sponsored by Humana, everyone from Augie T, Pamela Young, City Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine and Yasmin Dar to Diane Ako, Jill Kuramoto, Darah Dung, Brent Anbe and many more will walk the runway with their own four-legged pals or adoptable dogs and cats dressed in designer outfits. Hosting the festivities will be Al Waterson (who also will serve as emcee of the expo), while Jordan Segundo will serenade the crowd at the conclusion of the show.

Also on Sunday, Waterson and Segundo will team up once more to give couples in attendance the chance to participate in a vow renewal ceremony, with Waterson serving as officiant, and Segundo stepping in to sing. (Pre-registration is required to nancybernal@aol.com.)

Be on the lookout for performances from the likes of comedian Bo Irvine, Hālau I Ka Wēkiu, Nā Wāhine O Ka Hula Mai Kai Pu‘uwai, Ka Lei Hula Kapuna, Nā Leo Lani Chorus, The Silver Foxes and countless others, while also joining in on the fun will be official Young at Heart Expo ambassador Danny Kaleikini.

Kaleikini, probably better than anyone else, knows a thing or two about what it takes to be “young at heart.” At 81 years old — 82, come Oct. 10 — the longtime entertainer remains as busy as ever.

He continues to sing, of course, and lends his time to a number of charitable events and causes. At the moment, for example, he’s helping National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i fulfill its goal of building a center in Kapolei, where the organization hopes to expand its services westward. He also manages to find the time to serve as vice president of World of Aloha, which works with Aloha Ke Akua wedding chapel at Kahalu‘u Fishpond, and work out three times every week at Mike Sapp Fitness.

All of it — along with a little something extra — says Kaleikini, has helped him to remain, well, rather active, to say the least.

Nā Leo Lani Chorus PHOTOS COURTESY DANA TAYLOR AND ROBIN BUSH

“Always share aloha, the breath of life and love, as this will help to keep you young,” he says.

Additional participating vendors at the Young at Heart Expo include sponsors Longs Drugs/CVS, ‘Ohana Health Plan, Plan Advisors Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Isles Water Co., Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Co., Kaiser Permanente and HMSA, along with Lanakila Pacific (see “Lanakila Pacific Celebrates 80 Years” on page 30), Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, The Plaza Assisted Living and dozens more.

Zumba classes PHOTOS COURTESY DANA TAYLOR AND ROBIN BUSH

Believe it or not, all of that barely scratches the surface of what’s in store (see article below), so to help attendees keep track of everything they’d like to soak in, Honolulu Star-Advertiser has a couple of helpful tricks up its sleeve.

“Honolulu Star-Advertiser is unveiling a custom program publication and website, making it even easier for attendees to locate and follow up with exhibitors, while staying informed on the many activities taking place each day,” says Dave Kennedy, chief revenue officer for Honolulu Star-Advertiser and O‘ahu Publications Inc.

For a full list of exhibitors and more information, visit youngathearthawaii.com.

Lanakila Pacific Celebrates 80 Years

Aundra Baldonado (left) of Lanakila Meals on Wheels smiles with Jesimo Cabello.
PHOTO COURTESY LANAKILA PACIFIC

Established in 1939, nonprofit organization Lanakila Pacific continues to work with those in the community who have physical, social or age-related challenges. In fact, president and CEO Rona Fukumoto estimates that since its founding 80 years ago, Lanakila Pacific has helped more than 150,000 people.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 80th year because we celebrate a long history of innovation and evolving to meet the needs of our ever-changing community and the people we serve,” says Fukumoto.

Among its many services — and there are more than a few — perhaps one of its most recognizable is Meals on Wheels, for which Lanakila Kitchen produces up to 3,000 meals each day for homebound seniors, as well as free social, health and wellness activities at four Kūpuna Wellness Centers.

None of it, says Fukumoto, would be possible without the organization’s 180 employees and more than 200 volunteers.

“We rely heavily on the community for their support for maintaining our daily operations … and we’re grateful for everyone who believes in our mission and assists,” she says.

It all makes for quite the pairing with the first-ever Young at Heart Expo: An Event for Hawai‘i’s 50+, to hear Gerald Shintaku, director of Star Events, a division of O‘ahu Publications Inc., tell it.

“Lanakila services a lot of seniors with basic needs — food and companionship — and that is the backbone of our show,” he says, adding that the company also will be making a donation to the nonprofit.

“Lanakila Pacific and Lanakila Meals on Wheels are committed to helping our island’s seniors maintain their independence and live with dignity,” adds Fukumoto. “Their well-being is our priority, making the Young at Heart Expo a natural fit for us.”

At the Young at Heart Expo, Lanakila Pacific will be participating with an informational booth, and provide the event with volunteers and serve co˛ ee Friday morning before the show opens.

For more information on Lanakila Pacific, visit lanakilapacific.org.

Young at Heart Expo Rundown

Activities will include line dancing with Sandy Zook.
PHOTO COURTESY SANDY ZOOK

To say there will be a lot to take in at the Young at Heart Expo: An Event for Hawai‘i’s 50+ would be an understatement. In fact, come Sept. 20-22, when it’ll take over Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, there’s a whole lot of fun for attendees of all ages.

A complete schedule will be available at youngathearthawaii.com, and in a special publication in the Sept. 18 edition of Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

• The Step Taculars entertain with a dance performance that kicks off at 9:30 a.m., followed by comedian Bo Irvine at 11 and The Silver Foxes at 3 p.m.

• Practice tai chi, line dance and Zumba Gold at 9 a.m., followed by “Fit & Fun Zumba Gold” at 11.

• Beginning at 9 a.m., The Ihara Team, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, Plan Advisors Hawai‘i, ‘Ohana Health Plan and MDX Hawai‘i/ UnitedHealthcare offer informational seminars covering topics that include fall prevention, Medicare and more.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

• Award-winning Hālau I Ka W˛kiu takes the stage at 9:30 a.m., followed by comedian Bo Irvine at 11; The Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show at noon; “Generations on Parade,” featuring celebrities with their children and grandchildren, at 2:30; and Nā Leo Lani Chorus at 3:30.

• Activities include line dancing at 11 a.m. with Sandy Zook, and exercise and entertainment with Niko Niko Genki Taiso at 1 p.m.

• Offering informational sessions beginning at 9 a.m. are The Ihara Team, Plan Advisors Hawai‘i, ‘Ohana Health Plan, Myers Capital Hawai‘i, HMSA and Engel & Völkers . Topics run the gamut of Medicare and cybersecurity.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22

• Nā Wāhine O Ka Hula Mai Kai Pu‘uwai kick off entertainment at 9:30 a.m., followed by comedian Bo Irvine at 11; The Celebrities and Their Pets Fashion Show at noon; opportunities for wedding vow renewals at 2:30 p.m.; and Ka Lei Hula Kapuna at 3:30.

• Join “Fountain of Youth Yoga” at 9:30 a.m., followed by anahata yoga at 11, tai chi for arthritis and fall prevention at 1 p.m., and an interactive meditation presentation at 2:30.

• Informational sessions begin at 9 a.m. with the likes of The Ihara Team, ‘Ohana Health Plan, HMSA and Engel & Völkers.