Blue Zones Project is partnering with employers across Hawai‘i to create healthier work environments that empower employees to be happier, healthier and more productive. We invite employers, employees, and anyone interested in worksite well-being here in Hawai‘i to check out our blog and newsletter topics that highlight Blue Zones Project Approved worksites on a periodic basis, along with helpful well-being resources that may be beneficial to your organization. 

GIVING BACK TO KEIKI AND KUPUNA

When Keiki and Kūpuna Care for Each Other, Life is Beautiful

Research indicates that giving, which includes gifting as well as volunteering can make us happier, less stressed, and can even lower blood pressure – leading to a longer, higher quality of life. In this month’s double feature, we tell stories of giving across communities (indeed, across generations) in hopes of inspiring our readers and worksites to kokua, volunteer, and give back for a happier, healthier Hawai'i.

At the same time, COVID-19 forced senior living communities to suspend visitations and schools had to pivot to online and other unfamiliar learning and teaching methods. But something wonderful happened despite the pandemic. In a show of aloha and gratitude, local students wrote letters to kūpuna across the islands through an initiative spearheaded by Blue Zones Project champion, Michelle Tanaka, former staff member at ʻIlima at Leihano, a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite.

The initiative launched on March 31, 2020, and has since seen tens of thousands of letters delivered to kūpuna across Hawaiʻi. This incredible display of aloha has seen contributions from adults as well as keiki, keeping the momentum of "Letters2ourKupuna" going strong!

No need to wait for the holidays or a special occasion – our kūpuna love receiving letters all year round! Plus, it’s such an easy, low-time-commitment activity for people of all ages to give back and make a huge impact. As heartwarming as it is to receive letters, so too is knowing that the young writers composing them have what they need to do so, which leads us to our next story…

This summer, Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites – the Plaza at Pearl City, Plaza at Punchbowl, and their corporate office – held school supplies drives ahead of the 2022-2023 school year for Lehua Elementary, and Blue Zones Project Approved Schools Washington Middle and Ala Wai Elementary. Washington Middle School received supplies such as backpacks, colored pencils, slippers, deodorant, and much more. Pictures of the reception included below!

Through volunteering, there is an immense power communities possess to touch and uplift one another. All of us were once kids, and we can only hope to one day become happy kūpuna surrounded by good company. Time is really the only thing that separates generations – so if given the chance to make a positive difference in your community, seize the opportunity! It's not just good for recipients, it's good for the giver's well-being too. 

If your organization would like to coordinate a school supplies drive with a participating Blue Zones Project School, please reach out to BlueZonesProjectHawaii@sharecare.com. And if you would like to write letters to kūpuna individually or collectively with your organization as a volunteer activity, please contact MichelleHTanaka@gmail.com or refer to the flyer below. 

With warm regards and much aloha,
Cyrus and the Blue Zones Project Hawai'i Team