Meet Blue Zones Project Champion, ALAN Okinaka
East Hawaii resident Alan Okinaka has found his purpose and continues to wake up every day with it in mind. Alan is a great example of living with purpose, for he has found his reason to get out of bed every morning - being an active member of two organizations as well as writing a personal family memoir.
Rotary
"I belong to the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay and have been a member for almost 30 years. I have served as a president, board member and chairs in various committees. About ten years ago, a strange thought popped into my mind....”What is my purpose in Rotary?” I was very serious about this because after being a Rotarian for 20 years, I really didn’t know why I was involved with Rotary."
"With these thoughts mulling through my mind, I was reading The Rotarian, an excellent monthly magazine produced and published by Rotary International. Because I had these thoughts while reading the different articles, each article seem more meaningful. I read everything and I realized I had to continue being a Rotarian to be part of an organization that focused on world peace and conflict resolution. It wasn’t just contributing money to the Rotary Foundation. This meant getting involved with our youths through projects and programs, realizing and accepting the fact that peace is not just an absence of war, and it was part of my job to share my perspectives on world peace. Individuals, families, organizations, and communities locally are an integral part of world peace. I don’t have any credentials as a peace advocate, but I feel I understand the need and belief that a peaceful world is a better world. My favorite phrase in many discussions is, 'It is not naïve to find a way to end wars. It is naïve to believe that wars end wars.'"
Community Health Center
"I have been a board member for Bay Clinic for a bit over five years, and served as chair for almost three years. I believe that good access and quality healthcare are basic needs of our communities, especially in the rural areas of the Big Island. Health service directly impacts the welfare of our communities by ensuring a consistent and productive workforce, strong and meaningful family units, a sense of community, and the Mayor’s vision: 'Hawaii Island, a nice place to live.' I don’t have any medical provider credentials, but I understand the need and I believe that a healthy community is a better community."
Family Memoir
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Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com
