Congratulations Baldwin High School!
Faculty, staff, and administrators of Baldwin High School celebrated the school being named the first worksite in Central Maui to be a Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite.
BHS faculty, staff, and admin celebrate their approval as a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, the first in Central Maui.
Karen Walker, Baldwin High School vice principal and school wellness committee member, said, “The Baldwin ohana is proud to earn the distinction of becoming the first Blue Zones Project Approved worksite in Central Maui. Baldwin adopted the Blue Zones Project initiative because it supports our staff’s desire to work together to build a school community that’s healthier, happier, and more connected.”
More than 80 percent of Baldwin’s employees signed the Blue Zones Project Personal Pledge and committed to adopting healthy habits into their lives. This pledge includes small suggestions to make healthier decisions on a daily basis.
BHS Principal Katherine Kilborn watches on as Vice Principal and Wellness Committee member Karen Walker cuts the Approval Ribbon.
“It’s really inspiring to see Baldwin High School investing in the health and well-being of their faculty, staff, and administration,” said Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s senior vice president and chief communications and community engagement officer. “Good health is one of the most rewarding benefits an employer can provide to their employees and Blue Zones Project has the perfect formula to make that process simple.”
The school celebrated this recognition on February 2, 2018 with a ceremony followed by a cooking contest featuring local sweet potatoes and zucchini donated by Kumu Farms. Harilyn Wong won for Most Creative Dish, Helena Brown won for Best Tasting Dish, and Satoko Kitabu won for Best Presentation. Judges included Malika Dudley of MauiNow.com, Sherri Grimes of Pacific Media Group, Toni Rojas of Queen Kaahumanu Center, Manu Vinciguerra of Kumu Farms, and Karey Kapoi of HMSA.
Satoko Kiyabu won Best Presentation for her sweet potato and honey dish.
The school achieved Blue Zones Project Approved status by successfully adopting best practices that promote employee well-being, including:
- Encouraging standing meetings when possible.
- Organizing a Purpose Workshop so employees can articulate and connect with their own personal purpose.
- Supporting micro-breaks to stretch every hour.
- Designating a quiet space in the office where employees can downshift or meditate.
- Organizing walking groups and walking routes to encourage moving naturally.
- Offering stretching every Tuesday at morning recess.
- Hosting a plant-based cooking class.
Baldwin High School was founded in 1938 and serves 1,400 students in grades 9-12. About 140 employees work at the school, which is located in Wailuku. Their mission is to develop a community of learners who have the competence and confidence to achieve personal goals and who are responsible stewards of our global community.
To learn more about becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite, contact the Blue Zones Project team in Hawaii at BlueZonesProjectCentralMaui@sharecare.com, or visit hawaii.bluezonesproject.com. For more information on the Baldwin High School, visit their website.
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Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com
