Mānoa-Makiki-McCully-Mō‘ili‘ili (4M) has been named a Certified Blue Zones Community^®.

Blue Zones Project staff, leadership team, HMSA, and Dan Buettner at the 4M Kickoff in June 2018.

To celebrate 4M’s achievement, the community participated in National Make a Difference Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 23^rd-24^th with healthy activities hosted by community partners. Activities aligned with the Power 9® — nine common traits of longevity from the world’s longest-lived people — and began with a Keiki Bicycle Crawl hosted by Hawai‘i Bicycling League. The community also volunteered at Mālama Mānoa’s Stream Cleanup and participated in Plogging (picking up litter while jogging/walking) throughout the 4M community with Plogging kits provided by the City and County of Honolulu.

Blue Zones Project launched in 4M in August of 2017 alongside communities of Wahiawā, and Kapolei-‘Ewa as part of a multi-phase plan behind communities of North Hawai‘i (2015), East Hawai‘i (2015), and West Hawai‘i on Hawai‘i Island (2017); Ko‘olaupoko on O‘ahu (2015); and Central Maui (2017). 

Over the past three years, nearly 11,000 residents engaged with Blue Zones Project in 4M. Overall, 10 worksites, six schools, six restaurants, and two grocery store locations have become Blue Zones Project Approved™—all of which are influential organizations and pillars in the community. The community warmly embraced the Project and as a result, current and future generations will enjoy improved health outcomes and higher productivity in a great place to live, work, learn, and play.

“HMSA is proud to partner with Blue Zones Project to make healthy options easily accessible across the state. We congratulate 4M on this accomplishment as it demonstrates their commitment and progress in improving the health and well-being of their communities.”– Kathryn Matayoshi, senior vice president and chief community engagement officer at HMSA  

Blue Zones Project community partners such as Hawai‘i Bicycling League, Bikeshare Hawai‘i, AARP Hawai‘i, Trust for Public Land, Age-Friendly Honolulu, and City & County of Honolulu – Department of Transportation, to name a few, have supported programs and advocacy across Honolulu County and the state. Because of these strong partnerships, 4M helped to pass several policy legislations related to food, tobacco, and the built environment, which are proven to improve community well-being. In fact, thirty-eight percent of 4M residents report that it is easier to walk or bike in their community today compared to five years ago (Well-Being Index).

Blue Zones Project - 4M volunteers at Old Stadium Park

Data from Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index show positive trends in the health and well-being of 4M residents. Residents reported higher levels of financial well-being, produce consumption, social well-being, and physical activity. The Index Life Evaluation Score of those thriving improved to 55.5% versus 49% in 2017 when the project first started. All 20 key Blue Zones Project outcome metrics from the Well-Being Index held steady or improved from 2017 to 2019 despite big declines in national and state well-being during the same period. Of those engaged with Blue Zones Project, many residents agree that Blue Zones Project made a positive impact on their life (43.8% vs. 14.6%).

Mahalo to everyone who supported and volunteered with Blue Zones Project over the past few years. We could not have achieved certification without each and every one of you.

Ho‘omaika‘i 4M!