Bruce Bottorff

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has signaled the city’s commitment to planning for the future by announcing a request for membership in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

When the Honolulu City Council adopted a Complete Streets measure last year, pedestrian and bicycle safety advocates cheered the passage of Ordinance 12-15 as a victory for residents of all ages and physical abilities. The new law was seen as a significant milestone in AARP’s efforts to ensure that city transportation planning and design take into account Hawaii’s aging population.

As the 2013 state Legislature draws to a close, AARP is calling on Hawaii families and individuals to contact the following Conference Committee Co-Chairs to urge appropriation of $500,000 for public education on the state’s long-term care crisis:

April is Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month and AARP Hawaii and the U.S. Small Business Administration are teaming up to help Hawaii residents age 50+ interested in starting their own small business or expanding an existing business.

Hawaii has the highest percentage of residents age 85+ in the nation – and the eldest segment of our population is projected to grow by nearly 60 percent over the next 20 years. As the demand for caregiver services increases, advocates worry that the emotional, health and financial pressures on Hawaii’s family caregivers will reach a breaking point.

AARP and the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Association are sponsoring a free CarFit event in partnership with AAA at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, April 6 (8 a.m. – noon). The event teaches older drivers to adjust their vehicles for maximum safety and comfort on the road. It’s free and open to the public but registration is requested. Call toll-free 1-888-926-8300 or register online http://bit.ly/127TIlp.

AARP Hawaii and Access Information Management are teaming up to prevent identity theft with a free shredding event in Aiea on Saturday, April 13 (9 a.m. – noon). The public is invited to bring up to four file boxes or bags of old tax forms, bank statements and other sensitive papers per vehicle for convenient destruction on site. This is a drive-through and drop-off event with unloading assistance available :

Longtime Filipino community leader Geminiano (Toy) Arre has been appointed to AARP Hawaii’s Executive Council, the all-volunteer advisory board that shapes the 148,000-member organization’s strategic direction in Hawaii.

Last week marked the mid-way point of the 60-day Hawaii legislative session and the crossover deadline for bills.