Bruce Bottorff

It may be one of the best bargains in town: AARP’s Driver Safety Course, costing $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.

Do you live in West Hawaii and have questions about Social Security? Through the wonders of technology you can now get help from a live person.

Whether you have health insurance through an employer, are covered through Medicare, or are currently without coverage – now is a good time to learn how the Affordable Care Act can help you and your family.

On the eve of the 78 th anniversary of the creation of Social Security, which provides an average monthly retirement benefit of $1,233 to more than 184,000 older Hawaii residents, AARP Hawaii State President Gerry Silva issued the following statement:

While working towards a degree in the University of Michigan sociology department, a graduate adviser asked if he knew anything about aging, Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lenzer recalled in an interview.

AARP Hawaii is hosting public forums in Hawaii and Kauai Counties over the next several weeks - calling attention to harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare being discussed in Washington. The sessions identify the need for a national debate on the future of Social Security and outline solutions for reducing costs in Medicare and the health care system.

Anita Rhee credits a scone baking class at a church event for inspiring her plunge into entrepreneurship. After moving to Hawaii from the East Coast in 2004, the career pharmacist turned full-time mother was weighing second-career options after the kids were grown. She thought of teaching or returning to work as a pharmacist – but memories of the baking class brought back fond childhood memories of afternoon tea and pastries.

AARP Hawaii has launched a series of public forums aimed at providing residents statewide with information about proposals on the table in Washington, D.C. that threaten the health and retirement security of older adults and their families. The forums offer residents a chance to share their opinions on the future of Social Security and Medicare.

New Census data show Kauai County has the highest percentage of residents age 65+ in the state (16.1 percent). As the population ages and demand for eldercare services increases, residents are also interested in living in their homes for as long as possible.

New Census data show that Hawaii is one of the most rapidly aging states in the country. Last year individuals age 65+ comprised more than 15 percent our total population (Hawaii ranked 9 th in the U.S.) and those age 85+ accounted for 2.5 percent of our population (Hawaii ranked 5 th).