Below is an archive of all our past meetings involving links to presentations, flyers shared, and recordings of meetings from June 2022 onward. Meeting recap emails are included to ease sharing of links and contact information shared.
Meeting recap with links: Don't miss this month's meeting recap: June 2025, Recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
February Monthly Meeting recap:
Featured Speaker - Aloha United Way: State of ALICE in Hawaiʻi Report (newly released in January 2025)
GIA grantees driving age-friendly change - Discover how GIA grantees are pioneering innovative initiatives to create more inclusive and supportive communities for all generations.
Kūpuna Collective Practicum - Seeking leaders for a new program designed to uplift members of tomorrowʻs aging workforce & create opportunities for practical insights and experience in the aging field.
January Monthly Meeting:
Reframing Aging
Featured Speaker - National Center to Reframe Aging (www.reframingaging.org)
Local Perspective & Context
Septmber is recognized as Healthy Aging Month!
Partner Spotlight: UH Center on Aging: Supporting Members Through Data
Unlocking Opportunities: Grant Prospecting and Federal Aging Issues
Partner Sharing
Theme: Celebrating Community Health Worker Awareness Month!
Partner Spotlight: Hawai'i Community Health Worker Association
Community Health Education Program- University of Hawaiʻi, Kapiʻolani Community College
Kūpuna Support Navigator Program
Nā Hoaloha
Hui o Hauʻula
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Partner Sharing
In this presentation, we hear from both the national and local offices of the Alzheimerʻs Association in recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
Special thank you to our presenters from the Alzheimer's Association and the Executive Office on Aging.
Follow-up workforce discussion.
Partner spotlight: Nā Kama Kai
Practical tips for person-centered communication from Dr. Kevin Kawamoto
Theme: Civic health and engagement
Partner Spotlight: Maui Economic Opportunity
Status update: Monitoring the current COVID-19 situation
Civic Health
Why civic health matters
HIPHI's 2024 Candidate Survey
Neighborhood Commission Office
Partner Sharing
Partner spotlight: Older Americans Month celebrations
KupunaU: A Virtual Activity & Congregate Dining Program
Home Modifications: Critical for Aging in Place & New Grant Announcement
Partner sharing
Dr. Tetine Sentell shared about the emerging Public Health Catalyst Lab.
Follow-up workforce discussion.
Partner spotlight: Nā Kama Kai
Practical tips for person-centered communication from Dr. Kevin Kawamoto
Miku Lenentine program manager of from the Kapi’olani Community College Center for Resilient Neighborhoods talks with us about how they promote local leadership, resilience planning, and economic bridge programs to uplift sustainable initiatives. Listen in as Miku describes all the awesome resources they’ve created, including reports that provide data/analysis that could be cited to support your kūpuna efforts!
Following Miku we hear from Wes Oda from Be Ready Mānoa, a 501-c4 community group whose primary goal is to educate and provide resources for residents of their community so they can be disaster prepared.
Kiara Bacasen, our outgoing AmeriCorps VISTA, takes the time to share news about tools and resources they’ve made to support our collective aging efforts. The focus: what could we design to support a more informed, connected, and aligned community of kūpuna advocates? Here are some of the highlights, all found on our Internal Member Website.
Workforce development is a critical issue. We are an aging society and need a large and capable workforce to care for our kupuna and work on their behalf. At this meeting, we kicked off a discussion on how students become interested in aging. Five graduate students in Public Health and Social Work shared their personal stories of how they became interested in the aging field as well as the supports and resources that helped them along the way.
Jennifer Valera (5:28 - 22:15) from the Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association talks with us about the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), how that connects to our Age Friendly Health Systems, and how whole kupuna care can be achieved by integrating the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) and SDOH (Social Determinants of Health) screening into the National DPP.
Craig Gima (23:20 - 41:12) from AARP begins his presentation noting that this is a tough year at the legislature. As such, it is more imperative than ever to rally coordinated action behind measures that matter to you. Craig shares about the following measures: Caregiver Tax Credit (SB2473 / HB1769), Paid Family Leave (SB2474 / HB1768), Funding for Home and Community Based Services (SB2788 / HB2018) and Others
Lastly, Lindsey and Christy share about openings for our monthly partner spotlights, a Summer In-person gathering, and opportunities to take part in the Hawai‘i Dementia Initiative
In this meeting, we heard from Lindsey and Christy kick us off into the new year before updating us on their upcoming Kūpuna Support Navigator trainings and other programs. We also hear from representatives of Nā Hoaloha (17:42 -22:49), Hui o Hauʻula (22:49 - 26:16), Our Kūpuna (26:16 - 30:10), and Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels (30:10 - 35:53) as they describe their organizations and the direction of their efforts when it comes to Community Health Workers. Simone Schmid shares information about AccesSurf, a local organization working to build an inclusive community that empowers people with disabilities through accessible beach and water programs. And lastly we hear from Lindsey alongside other members about things to anticipate coming into 2024.
In this final meeting of the year we began by hearing from Christy Nishita about the ways we've grown and the things we've accomplished as a collective.
Then we heard from four speakers that share about what their organizations do and what we can learn from one another. Our speakers were,
Peter Reyes, Program Director and Julie Chang, Volunteer Coordinator at Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi
Mahealani Austin, Program Director at Kula No Na Poʻe Hawaiʻi
Marina Mireles, Kūpuna Food Security Coordinator at Mālama Kauaʻi
Ruth Luna Fuentes from Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
To end we took a look at 2024 by first collecting member thoughts on what aging can and should be in Hawai‘i through a word cloud excercise led by Kiara Bacasen. Then we heard from Tani Salazar from the Executive Office on Aging about exciting updates on actions being taken around Alzheimers disease and related dementias. Lastly, we heard from Lindsey Ilagan and Christy again about the launch of our Kūpuna Support Navigator Program and the trainings all members can take advantage of in the coming year.
In this meeting, we heard from 6 fabulous speakers who showcase the age-friendly and empowering work happening here in Hawai‘i to ensure kūpuna are not just surviving but thriving. Our speakers included,
Jenny Lee, University of Hawaiʻi Center on Aging presenting What is “Age Friendly”
Randy Wong, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony presenting on Music and Intergenerational Connections
Christine Boutros, Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) presenting on Age-Friendly and the Arts
Evern Williams, 'Ōlelo Community Media presenting on Storytelling for Kūpuna, by Kūpuna
Terri Madden, PlayBuilders of Hawaiʻi Theatre Company presenting on Mālama the Caregivers Theatre Project
and lastly Uyanga Batzogs, Quality Life presenting on Board Games for Brain Health
Check out the recap to get more details and check out the recording to get inspired by these amazing presenters
Laura E. Thielen, Executive Director of Partners in Care, presents about unhoused/displaced kūpuna, sharing insights from their Point in Time Count Kūpuna Subreport
Treena Becker, PhD, Researcher from UH Center on Aging presents about substance abuse amongst older individuals and their families,
Lastly, Kiara Bacasen reports back insights from our own members on problems they see in our communities and how we support one another in addressing them
In this meeting we made space for those with pilina to the communities affected by the fires to share anything from calls to action to moments of silence with those present
Sairel Labasan from HIPHI offers insights on statewide, national, and international trends regarding COVID-19. Please check out her slides and her presentation in our meeting recording (starting at 48:40) for current info, recommendations, and resources
Kūpuna Support Navigators RFP was also launched! KSNs will be assets to organizations and the communities they serve by understanding the needs of kūpuna and families, activating appropriate services offered by Hawaiʻi’s aging network, and coordinating appropriate services to support aging in place.
Kiara Bacasen reports back on key results and action items from the Kūpuna Collective internal survey.
We hear from Amelia Kyewich-Kenholani about updates from the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities and their many efforts to promote awareness and access to support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Burt Lum and Ka‘ala Souza offer a report back about digital inclusion efforts from the Broadband Hui and Digital Ready Hawai‘i. Stacey Aldrich and Colby Takeda announce the launch of the Hawai‘i Digital Navigator Program which features a statewide hotline and Oahu only pilot program for in person digital assistance office hours.
Korey Chock from the Emergency Medical Services Division of O‘ahu shares statistics about fall frequency, dangers, and risk factors found in EMS’ assessment of their data from calls.
Evern Williams of ‘Ōlelo Community Media shares a special opportunity to create PSA announcements with the professional equipment and guidance of ‘Õlelo.
Lastly, Kiara Bacasen of HIPHI shares the launch of a Kūpuna Collective internal check in aimed at reassessing current direction and ways to support members.
We get an important update from Meredith Nichols and Puanani Crabbe Parker about Med-QUEST renewal processes for communities to maintain Medicaid coverage and a report from Nathan Leo of Hawaii’s LGBT Legacy Foundation about LGBTQIA+ older adults and their efforts to meet their needs.
Jinyoung (Jenny) Lee presents a data visualization project out of UH Manoa’s Center of Aging that ties kūpuna related data to geographic maps.
We also hear from Naithan Alva from Lanakila Pacific about Kūpuna U, an integrated platform for seniors to find activities, classes, and other events held around the island. Gabby Solomita also shares about the reopening of their Kūpuna Wellness Center in Aiea.
Sarah Harris presents on the Honolulu county resilience office on its Long-Term Disaster Recovery Plan followed by Tosa Lobendahn who presents on After School All Stars and their intergenerational efforts
In this meeting we heard project updates from Lindsey Ilagan and Christy Nishita on the Kūpuna Support Navigators program, ACP funding, and the Kūpuna Aging in Place grant program from Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
We also hear from Lisa Tamashiro, Shirley Ortiz and Titi Takai of the Adult Friends for Youth program and how they’ve started including grandparents in their traditionally youth focused efforts.
Lastly, we hear from Tammy Smith of Lunalino Home to discuss how they can contribute their time and resources to the West side of O‘ahu.
No 3.22.23 Recap Available
We heard a special presentation by Tokyo Institute of Technology about digital Inclusion in Japan vs. Hawaiʻi to find out what we could learn from one another.
Audrey Suga-Nakagawa also shares with us AARP’s Train-the-Trainer Framework in digital literacy efforts.
Finally we hear about ACP outreach projects from Dayevin Bunao.
Kicking off the new year with good news, Christy and Lindsey share about dementia friendly program ideas, the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program for increasing digital equity, and an announcement about SNAP training for community partners (found here).
Report back on Kūpuna Collective’s impact over the last year, announcing the Kūpuna Champions nominated by members, and the remaining presentations of innovative food security projects happening on
Maui - Our Kūpuna, Keva DeKay and Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike, Lipoa Kahaleuahi
Kaua‘i - Mālama Kaua‘i, Megan Fox and Nourish Kaua‘i, Michaila Duncil
Hawai‘i Island - hui MAU, Kodie Solis-Kalani and Ho‘ola Farms, Emily Emmons
After sharing good news and updates from resilience hub workshops in Waikīkī, Lindsey helped share AARP's digital inclusion efforts including its statewide impact, train the trainer model, and recommendations for future digital inclusion efforts.
This meeting features a follow up from the Kūpuna Collective Summer Social, a presentation by Miku Lenentine from Center for Resilient Neighborhoods that highlights the needs of kūpuna and caregivers during emergencies and natural disasters, Dotty Kelly Paddock shares the Community Resilience Hub plan for Ko‘olauloa, and a discussion on emergency preparedness and resilience members see where they are or in their work.
Derrick Ariyoshi introduces members to the AmeriCorps VISTA program as a way to build organizational capacity and Melody Halzel shares research on what age friendly gardens look like & how to get involved with ongoing projects
Meeting introducing the Kūpuna Collective website, Kūpuna U (digital inclusion project hosted by Lanakila Pacific), Age Friendly garden initiatives, and continued digital inclusion work. Here they also shared various surveys touching upon resilience (from Miku Lenetine of CERENE) as well as a caregivers and older adults needs assessment (from Elderly Affairs Office).
No 6.22.22 Recap Available
Reporting back the results of a survey that reveals kūpuna specific challenges, the ways members are involved in digital inclusion, the capacity challenges members face, and more results relevant to determining the focus and direction of the Collective
More report back of feedback about what the Collective should be for its members and the communities they serve. Offers roadmaps to the different initiatives identified for the Collective to continue working on in its new form.
Reviewing feedback from previous meeting and sessions, Lindsey and Christy present community sourced values, needs, and interests in the Kūpuna Collective space. Here they speak more on the organizational structure, and benefits of membership
Meeting that explains the vision and rationale behind combining the four initiatives: Age Friendly Honolulu, Kūpuna Food Security Coalition (KFSC), Kūpuna Vaccination Outreach Group (KVOG), and Kūpuna Digital Inclusion Group (KDIG) into the Kūpuna Collective. Includes opportunities for feedback as the organizing team tries to provide a collective space that serves these diverse interests.