David Y. Ige

HONOLULU — The State Executive Office on Aging and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA) will recognize outstanding elder volunteers from each of the four counties at its annual state level celebration of Older Americans Month at Kahala Nui Retirement Community in Honolulu, on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 10 a.m. Governor David Ige is expected to attend.

The State event focuses attention on Hawaii’s entire elder population, a group now comprised of nearly one quarter of our State’s total population and who collectively provide significant economic and cultural contributions to Hawaii’s quality of life.

The theme of this year’s event, selected by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, is “Blaze a Trail,” to raise awareness about issues facing older adults and to highlight the ways they are advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities.

PABEA, comprised of Governor-appointed volunteers, works under the auspices of the State’s Executive Office on Aging, and is spearheading the event and luncheon, sponsored by Kahala Nui Retirement Community.

Selection Process

Each year in May, Hawaii’s four county Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) recognize two honorees (a total of eight statewide) for their many volunteer accomplishments.  Each county establishes criteria for the selection of individuals whose contributions include decades of public service in their communities. Many nominees have remained active well into their eighties and nineties. Service to community is a common quality in all of the nominees and each year various groups, churches and organizations nominate dozens of candidates from their respective county.

Selection committees vary from county to county. Hawaii County has its Committee on Aging, appointed by the mayor. Maui and Kauai rely on their respective Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) for processing and evaluating the nominations. The City and County of Honolulu‘s Elderly Affairs Division chooses nominees via its Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP).

PABEA brings the recipients together in early June for a statewide recognition ceremony.

Background on Older Americans Month
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May as “Senior Citizens Month” to recognize contributions made by our elders, particularly those who defended our country. Since the passage of the Older Americans Act in 1965, the celebration has been renamed: “Older Americans Month.” Both President Barack Obama and Governor David Ige are expected to announce official proclamations designating this May as “Older Americans Month.”

Event Details
Seating is limited to awardees, PABEA volunteers and special guests. Members of the media are asked to confirm their attendance and coverage of the event.

As in years past, expenses for hosting the event are provided by supportive private individuals and community groups. Anyone interested in making a financial contribution for this volunteer hosted event may contact:

State of Hawaii Executive Office on Aging

250 S. Hotel St., Suite 406

Phone: 808-586-0100

For specific information related to event attendance and support of this event, please contact:

Jim Cisler, Chair, Recognitions & Awards Committee
Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs
Ph. 808-315-3029
[email protected]

Note: The Administration for Community Living operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACL oversees several programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965. Additional information is available at acl.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Terri Byers

Executive Director

Phone: (808) 586-0100