Governor David Ige & Rep. Clift Tsuji Exert Pedal Power, Blue Zones Project Style
What an honor to have Gov. Ige & Rep. Tsuji stop by our Blue Zones Project - North Hawaii booth at the Waimea Homestead Farmers Market on Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Day! On February 6, they put in some pedal power using our Blue Zones Project smoothie bike and whipped up a refreshing beverage made out of fruit and fresh Waimea spinach for all to enjoy, including Waimea Middle School Principal Amy Kendziorski, Cynthia Spencer, President of the Waimea farmers market, Joey Cordeiro, a long-time market vendor and vegetable farmer, and Waimea resident Robert K. Masuda.
The visit gave our Blue Zones Project staff and volunteers, including Carol Ignacio, Sue Dela Cruz, Jane Sherwood, and Patti Cook, a great opportunity to share with Gov. Ige and Rep. Tsuji how Blue Zones Project will help our entire community "Live Better, Longer."
The bicycle with a blender mounted on it is the perfect "foil" for introducing several of the Blue Zones Project Power 9 including "Moving Naturally," "Plant-Slant," and "Right Tribe" - that is, nurturing a circle of friends who are positive, active, and contributing members of the community.
Mahalo to Gov. Ige and Rep. Tsuji for stopping by! It was literally a "treat" seeing you!
Hamakua-Kohala Health Launches First Walking Moai
Hamakua-Kohala Health has taken a big step in launching the very first worksite Walking Moai® in North Hawaii. On February 3, employees at both clinics - Kapaau and Honokaa - formed six teams and have since been walking for at least 30 minutes each week around Honokaa and Kohala Town. We love the team names they came up with; Team Pono, Holo Holo Sistaz, The Wahine Walkers, AAACT, Team Thrive, and Slow Pokes.
Some of the teams have been posting their progress on our Facebook page - be sure to check them out and cheer them on as they "Move Naturally" towards reaching the 10-week finish line!
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High Five to Kohala High and Waikoloa School for Achieving "Excellence in Wellness"!
We would like to personally congratulate all Hawaii public schools that have received the “Excellence in Wellness” award this spring. In North Hawaii, the two schools that are being recognized are Kohala High and Waikoloa School.
The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) issues the annual award to public schools that score 90% or higher in meeting the DOE's Wellness Guidelines, which lay out a set of standards in three categories:
- Nutritional Guidelines
- Health and Nutrition Education
- Physical Education and Activity
This year, a record number of Hawaii public schools received the “Excellence in Wellness” award - 84 total statewide. View the full report here.
On top of going above and beyond to meet the DOE's Wellness Guidelines, many of these schools are working towards achieving Blue Zones Project Approved™ status. We are honored to be working with them on their journey towards making the healthy choice, the easy choice for students, faculty and staff.
Congratulations again to all schools for an outstanding job in making health and well-being a priority!
Purpose Workshops
Why does purpose matter? Knowing and using your gifts and strengths is called "living with purpose" or "doing one’s life work." People with purpose live longer, are happier and more productive. Are you making a difference where you live and work? Each person has an individual set of strengths and talents that can be used to lead a truly meaningful life. Whatever your role within your community, begin adding years to your life and life to your years.
We encourage you to attend a Purpose Workshop to discover or renew your true purpose - that unique thing that makes you your best. In fact, knowing your purpose could add up to 7 years to your life! Begin the new year by doing something important for you, so that you can start to live a happier, more fulfilling life.
We have FREE Purpose Workshops coming up:
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MONDAY, MARCH 7
6 - 8 p.m.
Kohala Village HUB
55-514 Hawi Rd.
Hawi
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THURSDAY, MARCH 17
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
North Hawaii Education
and Research Center
45-539 Plumeria Street
Honokaa
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"Buddha's Jewels" a Hit at KTA Centennial Celebration
Over 150 "Buddha's Jewels"!!! That's how many of these tasty "meatballs" folks gobbled up at our Blue Zones Project - North Hawaii booth during KTA Waimea's Centennial Celebration & Health Fair. What are Buddha's Jewels you ask? They're a vegetarian version of meatballs made out of tofu. The "Plant Slant" dish was courtesy of our colleague, Carol Ignacio, and people absolutely loved it with many saying, "It doesn't takes like vegetarian!". View full recipe.
Our wonderful volunteers were also on hand at the February 20 event with our special Blue Zones Project smoothie bike where people pedaled their way to some "Plant Slant" samples of fruit & veggie smoothies. Mahalo KTA for letting us celebrate with you ~ Happy 100th Birthday, we had a blast!
