Kupuna Caucus unveils 2009 bills package

The Hawaii Legislature’s Kupuna Caucus has introduced bills relating to important issues facing Hawaii’s elderly population. 

The Kupuna Caucus first convened in 2006. The idea came out of the innovative 2005 Silver Legislature, attended by 150 seniors, who played the roles of legislators, lobbyists or observers. 20 bills were passed and delivered to the leadership of the real House and Senate. All have since become law.

Speaker Calvin Say and Rep. Cynthia Thielen made the suggestion to form a Kupuna Caucus, which was enthusiastically adopted and when the real legislature was convened.

Laura Manis, convener of the 2005 Silver Legislature says, “It has been wonderful to work with legislators of both parties and know they are concerned with the problems of health and safety of the seniors.”

Senator Chun Oakland, who first convened Kupuna Caucus with former Rep. Dennis Arakaki says, “It’s exciting to actually have a collection of all these people and organizations that really care about our elders and take action at The Legislature and with organizations’ and grassroots efforts to mobilize positive change.”
      
The Age Boom and Advocacy

By the year 2020, one in four of Hawaii’s citizens will be over the age of 65 – a trend across the nation. Baby Boomers are caring for their aging parents, and aging themselves. With organizations and initiatives like the 2006 Silver Legislature, Kokua Council, the Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs (PABEA), AARP, Hawaii Association of Retired Americans (HARA), and others, more concerned people are advocating to improve the lives of older adults. The Kupuna Caucus is giving Hawaii’s older residents a voice, and there’s much work to do.

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