Castle Medical Center celebrates becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite

Congratulations to Castle Medical Center for becoming the very first community-based Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite in Hawaii! Staff, patients, and guests celebrated at a recognition ceremony on March 9 in The Bistro, the restaurant inside Castle Medical Center.

(Middle photo, L to R) Moani Wright-Van Alst, Communications Resource Manager at HMSA, Cherie Andrade, Community Program Manager for Blue Zones Project Koolaupoko, Suzanne Asaro, Director of Rehab, Joint Care & Bariatric Services, Laura Westphal, VP Patient Care, Kathy Raethel, President & CEO, Nicole Kerr, Director of Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine, Ruby Hayasaka, Director of Nutritional Services, Travis Clegg, VP Operations and Heidi Kim, Vice President of Blue Zones Project Hawaii.

Located just outside of Kailua, Castle Medical Center has more than 1,000 employees and is staffed by 300 physicians.The hospital is owned and operated by Adventist Health, a Seventh-day Adventist health care system.

“Castle Medical Center shares many of the same values as one of the world’s original Blue Zones in Loma Linda, California,” said Kathy Raethel, president and CEO of Castle Medical Center. “Our mission and commitment is to help our communities live healthier, happier lives, and we believe Blue Zones Project offers the tools and resources to make meaningful improvements to the health, happiness, and longevity of everyone in our community which has been part of our 53 year legacy of health.”

Guests blended their own smoothies using Blue Zones Project “blender bikes” and were able to sample Blue Zones Project-inspired pupus.

“To have the support of Castle Medical Center as the first Blue Zones Project Approved worksite in Koolaupoko demonstrates how committed the hospital is toward improving the health and well-being of the members of our community, “ said Cherie Andrade, community program manager of Blue Zones Project Koolaupoko. “Partnering with the only primary health care facility in Windward Oahu will continue to strengthen Blue Zones Project’s goal of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives.”

On Friday, February 26, the hospital was live on Hawaii News Now's Sunrise 'On the Road', featuring an interview with Nicole Kerr, Castle Medical Center's Director of Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine, who talked about their new certification as a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite. Watch the interview. The hospital's achievement also made it into Pacific Business News. Read article.

Want to learn more about registering your worksite to become a part of the Blue Zones Project movement? Contact Erika Kobayashi at Erika.Kobayashi@healthways.com.

Community Events

On March 12, some of our committee members and staff volunteered their time to represent Blue Zones Project at two different events: 5Rs Festival of Fun at Windward Mall and the Imi Pono Craft Fair and Concert at Puohala Elementary School.  Volunteers shared the Blue Zones Project story, upcoming events like our purpose workshops, cooking and gardening demonstrations, and keiki enjoyed making their own smoothies and designing their own spin art masterpieces.

Walking Moai to Launch in Kaneohe

Looking to "Move Naturally" while socializing and connecting with members of your community? How about joining a Walking Moai? Walking Moai’s, which are like a hui, are groups of up to 10 people who walk together at least once a week for 10 weeks to various areas throughout the community.  

Teams spend time together and build friendships while tracking their steps as they explore their neighborhoods.

The term “moai” comes from Okinawa, Japan.
It means “meeting for a common purpose.” It originated as a way for villagers to support each
other in good times and bad. Moai Walking Teams encourage that same social support while adding the physical benefits of walking.

In January, we held a Walking Moai launch in Kahaluu at KEY Project. The two groups created are now walking twice a week and will be recognized at the end of their 10 weeks on Friday, April 8 during the Kupuna breakfast.

Interested in following in their footsteps? Attend our upcoming Walking Moai launch in Kaneohe on Sunday, May 15 from 1-2 p.m. at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. To RSVP, email bluezonesprojectkoolaupoko@healthways.com.