University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� public health and nursing alumna Aime Le has been crowned the 74th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen, one of Hawaiʻi’s longest-running ethnic festivals hosted annually by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. Her fellow contestants also voted her Miss Congeniality in recognition of her compassion, professionalism and interpersonal leadership.

“As queen, I serve as a cultural ambassador representing Hawaiʻi through community service, educational outreach and cultural exchange programs locally and internationally,” said Le.

Le earned dual bachelor’s degrees in and in 2020 and a bachelor of science in nursing in 2022. She was also inducted into the Japanese National Honor Society–College Chapter for academic excellence in Japanese language studies.

During her time at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Le participated in student leadership and service organizations including Mortar Board National Honor Society, Hui Ola Pono Public Health Club, HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Atherton YMCA community programs. She also took part in medical mission and service-learning trips to the Philippines and Kauaʻi and completed a rural clinical rotation in Yap, Micronesia.

“My time in Yap further strengthened my appreciation for community-centered healthcare and cross-cultural connection,” Le said.

Supporting kūpuna through community care

Now a nurse practitioner, Le earned her degree in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track from the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� in spring 2025. In fall 2025 and spring 2026, Le volunteered with the Memory Café at the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Center on Aging, a free monthly garden-based program for people living with memory loss and their care partners.

“At the Memory Café, I can help support dementia-friendly spaces for kūpuna and caregivers through nature-based activities, social connection and community engagement,” she said.

Le hopes to continue bridging healthcare, culture and community service throughout her career while advocating for compassionate, inclusive care across generations.

“We are so privileged to have someone like Aime be a part of the Memory Café,” said Christy Nishita, a gerontologist with the Center on Aging. “The combination of her personal qualities and professional training has made her the ideal volunteer. She has helped to nurture not only our garden but also the growth of human relationships among students, staff and community participants. I know she will make a superb Cherry Blossom Festival Queen.”

Three members of the 2026 Cherry Blossom Court also have ����Vlog�ٷ� ties: Princess Lauren Sayuri Katayama and First Princess Jacqueline Kiemi Osumi are ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� alumnae, while Princess Kiʻilaweau Kakie Aweau is a current public health PhD student.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� are using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to better understand what improves outcomes for individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders.

A recent study published in analyzed more than 7.9 million publicly available treatment records across the U.S. to identify patterns in services, recovery and outcomes. The research was led by Treena Becker, an assistant researcher with the , and Alberto Gonzalez-Martinez, a ����Vlog�ٷ� computer scientist.

“We believe our research findings can help states and local organizations better understand how to support people in substance use disorder treatment and their long-term recovery journey at a time when drug overdose deaths continue to be a major public health concern across the U.S.,” Becker said.

Top predictors of positive treatment outcomes

“We developed and used an ensemble machine learning model called Random Forest Model with the aim to predict the 10 most important features that increase the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes,” Becker said.

The analysis found the most important factor associated with positive outcomes was how long an individual remains in treatment, regardless of setting. According to Becker, longer engagement significantly increases the likelihood of reducing or stopping substance use.

Other key factors included treatment accessibility, depending on clinical need, treatment type at entry and at discharge, housing status, participation in self-help groups, employment status and referral source.

Mapping disparities in treatment services

AI/ML tools also allowed researchers to map and visualize the data, revealing patterns difficult to detect using traditional methods. Using the Machine Learning Random Forest Model, the team found that states with the highest overdose death rates tend to have fewer clinically appropriate treatment services available.

“It would have been virtually impossible to analyze so many treatment records without AI/ML assistance,” Becker said.

Based on the findings, Becker recommends that state governments prioritize behavioral health services and work collaboratively to expand access to longer-duration, clinically appropriate treatment programs. Increasing availability—especially in states with limited treatment infrastructure—could significantly improve recovery outcomes nationwide.

Becker, who recently received a pilot project award from (Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge and Opportunities), plans to build on the research by examining local data on addiction treatment and recovery among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform healthcare, a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (COA) researcher is gaining national recognition for advancing data-driven tools that improve the lives of kūpuna.

Jinyoung Jenny Lee has been accepted into the competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) program: .

Funded by the NIH through the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, the program trains researchers and clinicians to use AI/ML in healthcare, strengthens infrastructure in communities and healthcare systems, and supports multidisciplinary projects that improve health outcomes. FHIR sets standards for the secure exchange of electronic health data.

“Given AI‘s current and future impact on our population’s health, I’m excited to have been selected for this multidisciplinary cohort to learn about accelerating and sustaining the adoption of AI in healthcare and research settings,” Lee said.

Translating data into tools for communities

Lee earned her PhD in public health from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� and has consistently integrated technological innovation into her work at COA. Her research focuses on program evaluation and data analytics, with an emphasis on making complex data accessible and actionable for communities.

I hope to empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology.
—Jinyoung Jenny Lee

Among her projects is the creation of the interactive, user-friendly web page , which provides detailed demographic information about �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s aging population. She has also designed intuitive dashboards using data she collected and analyzed through her evaluation work with community organizations.

“Through my participation in the AIM-AHEAD training program, I hope not only to increase my knowledge and awareness of AI/ML but also to help empower individuals and communities in the practical applications of this emerging and powerful technology,” she said.

This research was, in part, funded by the National Institutes of Health Agreement No. 1OT2OD032581. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the NIH.

The Center on Aging is part of the .

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� has partnered with Gachon University, part of a consortium of five South Korean universities, to advance research and collaboration on aging and population change. Led by the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� (COA) and the Humanities-Utmost-Sharing System (HUSS), a South Korean government initiative, the agreement fosters mutual learning and international exchange.

South Korea, one of the fastest-aging societies in the world, offers insights valuable to Hawaiʻi and the U.S.During an August visit, a 24-member HUSS delegation explored COA’s dementia-friendly Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili garden and met with staff to learn about aging initiatives in Hawaiʻi.

“The memorandom of understanding (MOU) encourages the exchange of faculty, students, academic information and collaborative research and learning initiatives,” said Jinyoung “Jenny” Lee, COA assistant researcher. “These exchanges will enhance educational outcomes and promote mutual understanding, particularly around population aging, demographic shifts and inclusive community development.”

Hyejoong Kim of Gachon University described factors driving Korea’s population decline, including low birthrates, high housing costs, and the challenges of raising children.

“We now have become a super-aged society. Bolstering resilience and inclusion for diverse generations and environments is central to our vision,” Kim said. “Our aim is to train many students to be experts in population change.”

Kim added that visiting ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Center on Aging was one of the highlights of the delegation’s trip. The dementia-friendly garden, with its active volunteer engagement, left a strong impression, as such initiatives are rarely found in Korea.

The collaboration aligns with COA’s mission to advance applied, translational and community-engaged research focused on Hawaiʻi and the Asia Pacific region. COA is housed in the .

Anyone passing Krauss Hall in October may have noticed an uncommon campus sight: kūpuna (older adults), mākua (adults) and ōpio (youth) sharing pizza and meaningful conversation. The gathering marked the launch of the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�ʻs new Age-Friendly University Initiative, a long-term effort led by the Center on Aging (COA) in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, with campus partners including the ����Vlog�ٷ� Retirees ʻOhana and the .

Co-planned over several months by a team led by COA gerontologist Christy Nishita and Professor Emeritus Noel Kent of ethnic studies, “Generations in Conversation” served as the initiative’s first step toward building a more inclusive, multigenerational campus. The event followed ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s recent acceptance into the global .

“This is an association of higher education institutions around the world that are committed to promoting positive and healthy aging and enhancing the lives of older members, which strongly aligns with the mission and goals of our Center on Aging,” Nishita said.

Conversations that bridge generational divides

Participants of all ages split into pairs and small groups to explore 36 guided questions designed to spark curiosity, deep listening and connection. Facilitator Rob Chang, whose program builds bridges in correctional settings, helped participants quickly find common ground.

“Individuals shared that they had things in common they didn’t consider before with their partner or partners and that they felt comfortable to share,” said Whitney Katsutani, a COA social worker. “Rob also shared about how he does this work with justice-involved individuals and how connection and conversation go beyond the spaces they originate in.”

As COA continues developing age-friendly programming in the coming months, Nishita said events like this lay the foundation for deeper, ongoing intergenerational engagement.

“We start there, and then evolve into conversations of deeper social impact, working toward collaborative involvement in addressing larger community issues together,” she said.

Other ����Vlog�ٷ� members involved in the Age-Friendly University initiative include Joonyoung Cho, Emanuel Drechsel and Carole Mandryk.

With more than 35,000 Hawaiʻi residents living with Alzheimer’s, and the state’s aging population expected to grow, early detection and brain-healthy habits are crucial. To address this urgent public health issue, a new tool has been developed and launched as part of a statewide collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (COA) and the Department of Public Health Sciences’ (DPHS)’ Hawaiʻi Health Data Warehouse (HHDW) team in the .

This new interactive online tool, supports the Hawaiʻi 2025 State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias, provides real-time, localized data on brain health, cognitive decline, dementia prevalence, risk factors and caregiving across the state.

Real-time data tracks trends, issues

The Healthy Brain Tracker features interactive charts and dashboards by county and demographic group, offering data on cognitive disabilities, dementia rates, risk factors, caregiver roles and more. These tools help users visualize the scope of the issue, identify service gaps, and track trends over time.

“Public health surveillance data, like the kind available in the tracker, is essential for identifying important issues,” said Julia Chosy, an epidemiologist with HHDW. “It helps measure the impact of programs and policy changes, ultimately improving the health of all our local residents.”

Research shows that changes in the brain can begin 20 years or more before symptoms appear, making timely access to information crucial for prevention and intervention.

“Data is very powerful, and we need this kind of data in the public health realm,” said Christy Nishita, a gerontologist at the Center on Aging. “There’s a lot of concern and impact on families, and the numbers are only going to grow because of our population aging.”

The tracker was developed over the past year through COA and DPHS HHDW, the Hawaiʻi Dementia Initiative Data Action Team, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Executive Office on Aging, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control’s Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure grant.

With aging populations on the rise worldwide, the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (COA) is strengthening ties with Japanese researchers to lead the way in gerotechnology and community-based care for older adults.

Gerontologist and then-Interim Director Christy Nishita, and researcher Jinyoung “Jenny” Lee, were invited to the for meetings and presentations aligned with the 33rd International Biomedical Engineering Seminar. Their visit builds on a 2023 memorandum of understanding aimed at fostering research and innovation to support older adults in Hawaiʻi and Japan.

During the seminar, Nishita presented the center’s efforts to address dementia care, strengthen the eldercare workforce, and reduce social isolation in Hawaiʻi. Lee shared research focused on food security among the state’s diverse aging population.

Cross-cultural collaboration on eldercare

Their joint presentation, “Critical Eldercare Issues in Hawaiʻi and Opportunities for Collaboration,” emphasized Japan’s experience, where 30% of the population is age 65 or older, as a valuable model for Hawaiʻi, which has the nation’s highest life expectancy.

“The Japanese researchers were interested in how we built these relationships with community members,” Lee said. “Much of their research takes place in the lab, while we do community-engaged studies here in Hawaiʻi.”

Japanese researchers expressed interest in the U.S. eldercare policy landscape, including Medicare and Medicaid, and shared emerging tech-based approaches like robotics, AI and virtual reality. They were also intrigued by the , a Hawaiʻi-based network of nearly 300 organizations and 500 members that addresses eldercare through community engagement.

Building age-friendly communities

The visit also included a tour of , an intergenerational gathering space introduced to them by Emi Kiyota, founder of the Ibasho movement. Operated by Keio University and the local government, the space offers both structured activities and informal connection to reduce isolation and build community.

“It was a magical experience,” said Nishita. “We saw real potential to adapt this kind of model to our age-friendly work in Hawaiʻi.”

The visit reinforced the Center on Aging’s commitment to building inclusive, supportive communities for older adults across the Asia-Pacific region through shared learning and innovation.

����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s Center on Aging is housed in the .

Located along Metcalf Avenue at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� College of Education, is both a garden and an educational hub. In April, it welcomed dozens of visitors who helped test a new inclusivity checklist developed by researchers from the . A initiative, the garden emphasizes ʻāina-based learning and community connection.

The , part of a research study “Exploring the Usability, Appropriateness, and Inclusivity of the Dementia-Friendly Garden Checklist,” is led by Melody Halzel, a PhD student in public health, and Christy Nishita, interim director of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� , who serves as principal investigator. The study focuses on accessible garden interventions for older adults and people with disabilities, including those with dementia and their caregivers.

“The use of this checklist is for community sites to identify and remove common barriers to inclusion,” Halzel explained. “The items are aligned with evidence-based research and the ADA-accessibility guidelines to provide recommendations to design and implement accessible garden sites in Hawaiʻi.&rdquo

Research has shown that gardening offers both physical and mental health benefits, particularly for individuals with dementia. However, traditional gardens can be difficult to navigate for older adults and people with limited mobility.

“Gardening can be a calming, non-pharmacological intervention,” said Halzel. “An age-friendly and dementia-friendly accessible garden attempts to eliminate barriers to participation–a goal the checklist was designed to support.”

Checklist walkthrough aims to improve inclusivity

Participants received a checklist with 45 items grouped into categories, such as “accessible entrance,” “garden beds and pathways,” “safety” and “sensory features.” As they walked through the garden, they checked off features they observed, including raised beds or shaded seating, and offered additional feedback.

Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili, once an underutilized space in 2022, now flourishes with native plants like mamaki, a native Hawaiian plant, and kalo, ʻōlena, rosemary, lilikoʻi, cherry tomatoes and more. It features elevated planter boxes, resting areas and wide pathways, all designed with accessibility in mind.

Growing community resource

Attendees took home a clean copy of the checklist, along with a guide detailing how to build accessible gardens, including approximate costs and dimensions for beds, paths, seating and shade.

Support for the garden has come from across ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�. Summer Maunakea, associate professor of curriculum studies in the College of Education, integrates it into her ʻāina-based education classes, while the Center on Aging has offered ongoing guidance to grow the site into a model for other communities.

During the event, organizers previewed the next phase: the development of an age-friendly café and education program, offering a space for learning and connection.

Community work days

Community members are invited to take part in monthly work days this summer at Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili. Held every second Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., the gatherings offer opportunities to engage in hands-on garden care, including harvesting, weeding, and preparing herbal teas and lāʻau bundles from plants grown on-site.

A new study by researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� examines how Indigenous communities define elderhood, and how this role supports healthy aging. Led by Yu-Chi Kalesekes Huang and Kathryn Braun of the , the research reviews 20 scholarly publications to shed light on how elders contribute to the well-being of their communities.

Elderhood as a cultural role

The study looks at a range of Indigenous populations, including Inuit, Métis, and First Nations in Canada; Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans and Native Americans in the U.S.; Māori in New Zealand; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia; and the Aymara tribe in Chile.

Published in the , the study identifies six common themes across cultures, finding that an elder is someone who:

• Is respected for living, knowing and teaching traditional knowledge
• Is committed to passing down wisdom to younger generations
• Continues contributing to the community
• Provides a vision for the future rooted in tradition
• Is not necessarily defined by age
• Acts as a care provider

These findings highlight that elderhood is a respected status earned through cultural stewardship, community service and wisdom, rather than age alone. Supporting individuals in attaining this role can promote healthier aging and enhance community resilience.

“We believe the important contribution of this research lies in emphasizing the key role of Indigenous elders in tribes and communities,” said Huang, who also studied the elders of her hometown of Sapulju Village. “For Indigenous peoples, the title of ‘elder’ is earned by playing a continuous role in preserving cultural traditions and enhancing community resilience, which brings benefits to the overall health and well-being of the community. If an older person earns the title of elder, they are seen as having aged successfully and embody the principles of healthy aging.”

The study calls on policymakers and community leaders to embrace culturally grounded approaches that honor the vital role of elders in strengthening the health and resilience of Indigenous communities.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� is seeking participants for a national research registry aimed at increasing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) representation in aging studies. In collaboration with researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California Irvine, ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� is launching a multi-year initiative to expand the CARE 2.0 registry.

Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the project builds upon an earlier UCSF-led initiative called CARE (Collaborative Approach for AANHPI Research and Education). This expanded phase seeks to recruit more AANHPI individuals for aging-related studies while addressing barriers to participation and enhancing community engagement.

“Our team in Hawaiʻi is excited to be part of this national effort to diversify research participation,” said Christy Nishita, interim director of the Center on Aging. “By partnering with community organizations, stakeholders and cultural informants, we aim to increase awareness of the value of aging research and ensure that findings reflect the diverse experiences of AANHPI populations.”

CARE 2.0 eligibility and registration

Participants who join CARE 2.0 may be contacted for research on topics such as brain health and caregiving. Studies vary in commitment, from one-time surveys to long-term data collection, and participation is always voluntary.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Identify as Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 18 years or older
• Speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hawaiian, Hindi, Ilokano, Japanese, Korean, Samoan, Tagalog or Vietnamese
• Reside in the U.S. or U.S. Associated Pacific Islands
• Willing to be contacted for health research

First-time research participants are encouraged to apply to help address health disparities in AANHPI communities. .

The ����Vlog�ٷ� Center on Aging will also provide educational resources on healthy aging, including brain health tips and support services for caregivers and those living with dementia. Student volunteers will serve as CARE ambassadors to assist with recruitment while gaining valuable research experience.

Expanding AANHPI research participation

AANHPIs are the fastest-growing racial groups in the United States, yet from 1992 to 2018, less than 1% of the National Institutes of Health’s budget was allocated to AANHPI research. Nishita emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s multiethnic population provides an ideal environment to recruit participants for the CARE 2.0 registry.

“Beyond enrollment, we hope to gain insights into challenges, effective outreach strategies, and opportunities for increasing AANHPI participation in scientific studies on aging,” she said.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s are advancing efforts to enrich ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) with new eldercare terms, blending cultural heritage with modern healthcare concepts to ensure the language’s relevance for future generations.

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: Free Hawaiian language resources help enhance responsible kūpuna care

Their work was recently highlighted in an article published in , authored by PhD student Kepoʻo Keliʻipaʻakaua, program coordinator Shelley Muneoka, and principal investigator Kathryn Braun with the Thompson school’s . Assisted by Kumu Kapili Lyon at the , the initiative aims to preserve and strengthen Native Hawaiian perspectives on aging while ensuring accessibility for future generations.

“From our work so far, we have gained a lot of insights and learned a lot of terms and concepts that are perhaps new to us today, but were commonly understood in the past,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua. “Most importantly, we see how much more remains to be learned.”

Building on decades of efforts to revive ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Hā Kūpuna spearheaded three major language projects:

• Glossary featuring 231 Hawaiian terms related to elderhood
• Collection of 109 Hawaiian proverbs and sayings about aging
• Hawaiian-language translation of the children’s book on dementia, Pōmai and Her Papa

New words for modern medical concepts

Since ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi historically lacked specific terms for modern medical concepts such as “Alzheimer’s disease” and “geriatrician,” the research team developed new words through recommended linguistic processes. These processes include combining existing Hawaiian words or adapting words from non-Polynesian languages to Hawaiian spelling.

Some of the new eldercare-related terms include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Maʻi ʻAlekahaima
• Dementia: Kemenekia
• Geriatrician: Kauka Kilo Mākule
• Neurologist: Kauka Kilo Lolo
• Health Plan: Palapala Hoʻolālā Ola Pono

Expanding ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in public health and eldercare strengthens cultural ties to aging while preserving Hawaiian values and traditions. By creating terms that align with the Hawaiian language and worldview, researchers make eldercare discussions more accessible in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

“We are humbled to contribute to understanding elders through the wisdom of our ancestors,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua.“Through this initiative, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi continues to evolve, honoring the past while adapting to the needs of the present and future.”

The glossary, proverb collection and translated book are accessible through .

For the first time, University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� researchers have studied how work, volunteering and leisure activities affect brain health in older adults from diverse backgrounds, while also factoring in a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by the , shows that staying active can help keep the mind sharp with age.

The study is led by Yeonjung Jane Lee, associate professor of social work, and was published in the . Researchers examine the connection between these activities and cognitive functioning, with a focus on the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele—a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, using data from more than 7,600 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey.

Key findings

The study found that working, volunteering and engaging in activities like word games, computer use and socializing improved cognitive health for everyone. However, the benefits depended on genetics. For those without the APOE ε4 allele, part-time work and high-intensity volunteering were most effective.

“Even if someone has the APOE ε4 allele, modifiable factors like cognitively stimulating activities can promote cognitive health,” said Lee. “These findings highlight how integrating such activities into older adults’ lives can support aging well.”

Researchers emphasize the importance of offering accessible activities and resources at the structural level to help reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, particularly in diverse populations.

The research was supported by the Kuakini Center of Biomedical Research Excellence-Center for Translational Research on Aging, directed by Bradley Willcox, a geriatric medicine researcher at the ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s .

A study by the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s sheds light on the end-of-life care preferences of Native Hawaiian kūpuna (elders). Led by Assistant Professor Miquela Ibrao, ����Vlog�ٷ� researchers and ALU LIKE, Inc., the study identifies culturally tailored strategies to honor kūpuna values.

Published in the , the research is based on interviews with kūpuna in rural areas across Hawaiʻi. It highlights four key themes:

Death is not an end but a transition that honors relationality, ancestors and the land.
—Miquela Ibrao

• Cultural traditions in healthcare: Kūpuna often use lāʻau lapaʻau (herbal medicine) and lomilomi (massage) as integral parts of their care.
• Family-centered decisions: ʻOhana (family) plays a crucial role in healthcare choices, extending to deceased ancestors and the ʻāina (land), which are seen as sources of guidance and healing.
• Preference for home-based care: Many kūpuna wish to age and die at home but fear burdening their families. Limited long-term care options in rural areas add to the challenge.
• Trust in providers: Kūpuna value healthcare providers who “talk story” and understand their culture, fostering trust and respect.

“Death is not an end but a transition that honors relationality, ancestors and the land,” said Ibrao. “Decolonizing end-of-life care means respecting cultural beliefs and embracing Indigenous wisdom about healing and living well.”

The researchers recommend cultural humility training for providers, increasing Native Hawaiian representation in healthcare, and including cultural practitioners in care teams. These strategies aim to ensure kūpuna receive compassionate care that aligns with their traditions.

Ha Kūpuna, one of three National Resource Centers for Native Elders funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is housed in the .

Three University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� students are leading the charge to promote brain health on campus, combining their communication expertise with public health advocacy. Kiersten Donahue, McKenzie Kurosu and Jamie Olsen, all senior communication majors in the , partnered with the (COA) to develop a strategic campaign encouraging students to prioritize their brain health.

The students, who named their team the “Mastermind Collective,” approached the project as part of their public relations strategy course taught by Associate Professor Ji-Young Kim. Throughout the semester, they conducted research, collaborated with COA staff, and crafted creative materials designed to connect with their peers. Their campaign features social media messaging, bookmarks with evidence-based brain health tips—such as exercising for 30 minutes daily and getting 8–10 hours of sleep—and stickers with motivational slogans like, “Brain health matters! Fuel it, move it, rest it, you can do it!”

“College students often overlook their brain health because they’re so focused on academics and other stressors,” said Donahue. “We wanted to create a campaign that not only raises awareness but also gives students simple, practical tips they can incorporate into their daily lives.”

It was rewarding to see how communication can inspire healthier habits.
—McKenzie Kurosu

For Kurosu, the project offered a chance to explore the intersection of communication and public health. “Working with the Center on Aging taught me how to identify challenges, pitch solutions and develop long-term campaigns,” she said. “It was rewarding to see how communication can inspire healthier habits.”

Christy Nishita, COA interim director, commended the students for their creativity and professionalism, as well as COA staff Whitney Katsutani and Kevin Kawamoto for also working on the campaign.

“Because brain diseases like Alzheimer’s may develop decades before symptoms appear, raising awareness early is essential,” she said. “This campaign will help us reach students and promote lifelong brain health.”

COA plans to incorporate these materials into an ongoing effort to engage ����Vlog�ٷ� students in brain health and healthy aging. The center is housed within the .

A new study by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s reveals a concerning trend: methamphetamine poisoning is the leading cause of fatal overdoses among midlife and older adults in Hawaiʻi. The research, published in the August 2024 issue of , highlights an overlooked aspect of the state’s drug crisis.

Between July 2020 and December 2021, 263 drug-related deaths were recorded across the state. Of these, more than half (58.2%) involved individuals aged 50 to 79, with methamphetamine toxicity accounting for 64.3% of those deaths—compared to just 16.4% from opioid poisoning.

The study, conducted by Gursimran K. Sidhu, Tiana M. Fontanilla and Treena S. Becker, found that older adults were more likely to die from methamphetamine poisoning than their younger counterparts, while younger people were more vulnerable to opioid-related deaths. The researchers utilized data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), a CDC-funded initiative, to analyze these overdose patterns.

In addition to reviewing medical examiner reports, toxicology reports and death investigator narratives, the team also found that many older decedents had a history of cardiovascular disease—a condition that can increase the risk of fatal outcomes in methamphetamine users.

Long-term crisis

“People who use drugs long-term in Hawaiʻi tend to favor methamphetamine, and this trend becomes more lethal as they age,” said Becker.

According to the researchers, many people in midlife and older ages have been using methamphetamine for decades. This chronic drug use, coupled with age-related health issues, makes older adults particularly vulnerable to methamphetamine poisoning. The report suggests that older users often face different risks and barriers to treatment than younger users, including higher levels of stigma.

Targeted intervention

The team called for more research into why older adults continue using methamphetamine, noting that “motives for use in older age are largely unexplored.” Researchers recommend prioritizing screening for substance use disorder (SUD) among older adults in Hawaiʻi and offering tailored treatment.

“There is often stigma and shame surrounding SUD, especially for kūpuna (older adults), which can make it difficult for them to seek help,” Becker said. “Addressing these barriers could be key to reducing deaths in this vulnerable population.”

The Center on Aging is housed in the .

Hawaiʻi is facing a severe shortage of direct care workers, such as nursing assistants and home care aides, who are essential for assisting older adults and individuals with disabilities. These vital workers play a crucial role in providing care both at home and in long-term supportive living environments. Without strategic efforts to recruit, train and retain these workers, the shortage is expected to worsen, threatening the quality of care available to the state’s vulnerable populations.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s is helping address this issue by collaborating with the state’s Executive Office on Aging (EOA) to develop a comprehensive statewide strategic plan. The initiative involves extensive research, including key informant interviews, a thorough review of relevant literature and other consultative methods. The goal is to develop a set of actionable recommendations and strategies aimed at increasing both the quality and quantity of Hawaiʻi’s direct care workforce.

The Center on Aging is playing a crucial role in raising public awareness about this crisis in long-term care…
—Christy Nishita

“Direct care workers are not only invaluable members of both the acute and long-term care systems in Hawaiʻi,” said Christy Nishita, director of the Center on Aging. “They are also indispensable if the state is to provide the kind of services and support that enable residents to age while enjoying the best possible quality of life.”

The plan is expected to be completed in fall 2024, and will be submitted to EOA for further consideration and implementation, which could pave the way for significant public policy planning and development to address the workforce shortage. Building capacity in the direct care workforce requires collaboration across various sectors to enhance recruitment, training and retention strategies.

“The Center on Aging is playing a crucial role in raising public awareness about this crisis in long-term care, and is working in partnership with other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions,” Nishita added.

This initiative is a crucial step toward meeting the increasing demand for direct care services in Hawaiʻi, ensuring the well-being and quality of life for its aging population and individuals with disabilities.

The Center on Aging is housed in the .

In an effort to enhance eldercare in Hawaiʻi, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� joined a study tour to Fukuoka city in March. The tour aimed to explore the region’s innovative (PDF), a cross-sector initiative that’s transforming aging services in Japan.

The Hawaiʻi delegation included Christy Nishita and Jinyoung (Jenny) Lee from the Center on Aging, who observed and learned about the innovative program supported by the Fukuoka Council for Designing Society in Aging Asia. The plan, “100 Actions to Achieve a Healthy Social Model Anticipating the Era of 100 Years of Life,” seeks to create a collaborative regional society that integrates new ideas from private enterprises and universities into government policies, fostering community-building initiatives that enhance the well-being of both individuals and society. This approach is based on the understanding that the demographic shift toward an older population will impact everyone.

“The way Japan is addressing its aging population offers valuable lessons for us in Hawaiʻi, where our own population is also aging,” said Nishita, director of the Center on Aging. “Currently, about 20% of Hawaiʻi’s population is aged 65 and over, and this number is expected to rise as the baby boom generation continues to age.”

Some of the many strategies that the project is putting into action include promoting expansion of digital health and monitoring systems, developing greater opportunities for older adults to remain engaged in their communities to avoid social isolation, and training more caregivers to provide compassionate and efficient care to people living with symptoms of dementia.

During the tour, the group engaged with city leaders and advocates who are championing the goals of the Fukuoka 100 Plan.

The Fukuoka 100 Plan, named to represent a hundred initiatives responding to population aging and the increasing number of centenarians in Japan, has been developed over many years. It leverages the strengths of various sectors including healthcare, social welfare, information and communications technology, housing, community, education and retail to create comprehensive design and planning models.

Nishita, Lee and their colleagues returned to Hawaiʻi with valuable insights and strategies for enhancing eldercare infrastructure in their communities.

The Center on Aging is housed in ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s .

Professor Emerita Colette V. Browne’s impactful legacy in gerontology, social work and public health at the University Archives & Manuscript Collections of Hawaiʻi at the . The papers spanning research, teaching and advocacy, underscore her commitment to the well-being of older adults and the advancement of personal and societal rights.

“The collection reflects her steadfast commitment to gerontology through her prodigious focus on improving lives through practice, policy and research which inspired a generation of social workers to reach for a vision of social justice and health equity for our global community,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� Library Archivist Helen Wong Smith.

Browne, who retired in 2020, served as a faculty member in the since 1985. Her research delved into the social determinants of health among midlife and elder populations, addressing gender and racial/ethnic vulnerabilities. She advocated for a sustainable long-term-care financing program, specifically tailored to Hawaiʻi and the nation. Her extensive scholarship, published in professional journals and presented at national and international conferences, significantly contributed to gerontology, social work and public health.

Her collection in the University Archives is organized into six series, and captures her contributions from 1980 to 2020. These include university and professional activities, publications, addresses and presentations, media coverage and images. The compilation reflects Browne’s profound impact on the academic, social and policy landscapes, emphasizing her dedication to promoting social justice and health equity for older adults and underserved populations.

As a faculty member at ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�, Browne achieved numerous milestones. She established the State and Pacific Basins’ sole graduate gerontology training program, co-founded and served as the Principal Investigator of social work’s longest lasting federal grant, Hā Kūpuna—National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian elders, and served as director of the Center on Aging. Appointed as the Thompson school’s , she focused on documenting economic inequalities faced by older adults.

Browne’s community engagement extended to leadership roles in Hawaiʻi and at the national level. She co-founded the Hawaiʻi Pacific Gerontological Society, served on boards, and was appointed to key positions by both state and federal authorities.

For her achievements, Browne received awards from:

• ����Vlog�ٷ� Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award
• Robert Clopton Community Service Award (����Vlog�ٷ�)
• Gerontological Society of America/Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
• American Society on Aging
• Hawai‘i Pacific Gerontological Society for Research

Two University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty were appointed to the City and County of Honolulu Board of Parks and Recreation, a volunteer board created to advise the Department of Parks and Recreation on recreational, cultural and public entertainment opportunities at city parks and facilities. Judith Stilgenbauer and Christy Nishita are among eight new appointees to the board.

Judith Stilgenbauer

Stilgenbauer, a professor of landscape architecture at ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s , has experience assisting the Trust for Public Land with renovations and planning for their philanthropic work at .

“As the only landscape architect in the group, I hope to contribute to discussions and recommendations that go beyond the more traditional focus on cultural and recreational opportunities and beautification,” said Stilgenbauer. “I intend to stress the important role that parks and other types of public open spaces, such as tree-lined streetscapes and community gardens, play in adapting our urban environment to the effects of climate change.”

Stilgenbauer has a wide range of credits to her international work in the field of landscape architecture, including significant and award-winning professional and academic experience related to designing public parks.

“I believe that Mayor (Rick) Blangiardi’s appointment reflects on the role many ����Vlog�ٷ� faculty members play in applying our research expertise to serve the people and places of Hawaiʻi, particularly as it relates to creating more sustainable environments for the community,” said Stilgenbauer.

Christy Nishita

Nishita, the director at ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Center on Aging in the , has an extensive background in long-term care coordination, caregiving, Alzheimer’s disease support programs, intergenerational programming and age-friendly community development.

“The outdoor spaces and programming offered by our Department of Parks and Recreation are wonderful opportunities to help our kupuna be active and engaged in our communities,” said Nishita. “As part of the board, I intend to create more age-friendly parks by developing more opportunities for our kūpuna to volunteer and engage in the park programs, creating more intergenerational programs, and ensuring park accessibility.”

In her leadership role for ����Vlog�ٷ�‘s Center on Aging, Nishita built a team to strengthen the quality of community-engaged, applied aging research in Hawaiʻi.

“This appointment is important because it builds bridges between ����Vlog�ٷ� and the larger community,” said Nishita. “It is an opportunity to provide research and subject matter expertise to the community but more importantly, it enables me to interact directly with kupuna and other community members to give them a voice and better understand their needs and priorities.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� Center on Aging and ʻIolani School have teamed up to revitalize a historic club that served as a gathering place for veterans of the legendary 100th Infantry Battalion, which originated as an all-Japanese American combat unit during World War II and later became recognized as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. military.

For most of its existence since it was built in 1952, the unassuming one-story building long known as “Club 100” at 520 Kamoku Street was a second home for many of the Nisei (second-generation Japanese American) veterans, where they socialized with their fellow veterans, held meetings and celebrated collective holiday gatherings with their families. The camaraderie and bonds forged during the war extended into civilian life for decades.

However, as time passed, the original members of the clubhouse began to age and the veterans began to pass away. Involvement in the clubhouse waned, and the COVID-19 pandemic that forced closures of so many meeting spaces only worsened matters. The future of the clubhouse was uncertain, and steps were taken by the organization’s previous board to transfer ownership of the land and building to a mainland veterans organization.

A group of the clubhouse’s members, many of them sons and daughters of the original members, decided this was not the best direction to take and saw a different future for the clubhouse, one that had the potential for greater engagement between the clubhouse and nearby community partners.

“Initially, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans new board of directors wanted support in creating intergenerational programming as part of their larger mission to educate youth about the 100th,” said Christy Nishita, a gerontologist and interim director of the Center on Aging in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health.

Nishita teamed up with ʻIolani School’s Candice Sakuda, director of community and civic engagement, and leaders and staff at the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization, to embark on an project-based learning initiative called Legacy2Action.

The partnership made sense as ʻIolani School is right across the street from the clubhouse, and the Legacy2Action project is an intergenerational activity that connects middle and high school students with adults of all ages in an effort to improve society in some way through the shared values that inspired the Nisei soldiers to serve their country during the war.

Kūpuna empowerment using Ibasho concept

The future of Hawaiʻi relies on the positive values carried forward by its youth today
—Christy Nishita

Nishita met with board members and talked about kūpuna empowerment and the Ibasho model. A Japanese word and concept, Ibasho is a set of principles to help guide elders as they take a leadership role in creating an interdependent support system, finding ways to give back to their community, and becoming change agents who help create a more inclusive and resilient community.

The Ibasho model aligned well with the board members’ interest in engaging more with the surrounding neighborhood and schools.

“They really got excited about that,” Nishita said. “And of course, adding in what we know that purpose and meaning can contribute to a longer and better quality life.”

Revitalization projects

In February, students from Oʻahu’s public and private schools gathered at the clubhouse to learn about the legacy of the Nisei soldiers and then—with assistance from clubhouse members, educators and parents—fanned out throughout the building and on the premises outside to apply their positive, youthful energy to a variety of beautification and cleaning projects. The clubhouse felt revitalized from the pre-spring cleaning––as well as a sense of re-opening after nearly three years under the cloud of a global pandemic that forced many gathering spots like this to close its doors.

Another collaboration transpired in April, when students returned to the clubhouse to share their Legacy2Action projects with parents, teachers and current clubhouse and community members.
ʻIolani School student Owen Lai worked with Nishita, his project mentor, through a needs assessment research in which he studied the potential for greater community engagement between the clubhouse and nearby community partners through qualitative interviews and surveys. Lai’s research resulted in a list of community-based solutions including intergenerational activities, field trips, sponsored competitions, expanding membership, curriculum building and more. He hopes to collect more data from different stakeholders to enhance his findings.

Many other projects designed to improve some aspects of society were described on poster boards around the clubhouse’s interior wall, with students available to expand on their research and answer questions.

Projects included the dangers of invasive seaweed species (known in Japanese as “ogo”) in Hawaiʻi‘s oceans and what can be done to mitigate the problem; an intergenerational activity kit for grandparents and elementary-aged grandchildren to learn about Japanese-American internment during WWII together; and art kits for houseless children.

“The Center on Aging is proud to partner with the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans, helping to link generations, schools, and other organizations together in this successful Legacy2Action project-based learning experience,” said Nishita. “The future of Hawaiʻi relies on the positive values carried forward by its youth today, and if the students who participated in this year’s Legacy2Action are any indication, that future is hopeful.”