News From Hawaii

AARP in Your State

July-August 2009

Complete streets — A push by AARP Hawaii for safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets has resulted in the passage of the Hawaii Complete Streets law, signed in May by Gov. Linda Lingle, R.

The bill (Act 54) requires the state and county departments of transportation to reasonably accommodate all users of public streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users and people with disabilities. The law also requires the state to convene a task force to look at design standards and implementation issues and report back to the legislature. As a member of the task force, AARP will join others in looking at the availability of transportation services, the safety of roadways and vehicles, and the future design of communities.

To get involved as a volunteer, contact Jackie Boland, outreach director, at 808-545-6003.

June 2009

Building caregivers' strength — Family and friends involved in caregiving are invited to a workshop Saturday, June 20, at the Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu. Participants will learn and practice 10 simple range-of-motion exercises that can help build strength and flexibility in themselves and the people for whom they're caring.

Cosponsored by AARP Hawaii and the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division, the workshop is part of a series focused on long-term care and caregiving. The importance of family conversations about the care of older parents or relatives will be featured Aug. 15, with legal issues in caregiving scheduled for Oct. 17. To register for the June 20 workshop, which runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., call 808-768-7700.