Addendum to the Royal Hawaiian Band feature story Many may feel that it’s somehow “too late” and that there is some sort of an expiration date for starting to learn an instrument. Both Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Clarke Bright and Eric Kop, assistant administrator and principal horn, emphasize that it is never too late to get into music, in whatever form it takes. Eric, for one, has calabash aunties and uncles who never played an instrument in their lives, but are now in retirement attending ‘ukulele classes and singing in various groups for enjoyment. “It’s brought satisfaction for them in ways ..read more

“To promote and foster music, preserve the Hawaiian musical culture, inspire young musicians and enrich the lives of the people of Hawai‘i” is their  mission. As the only full-time municipal band in the United States — and the only one with a royal legacy — the Royal Hawaiian Band has touched and continues to move the hearts of people young and old for almost two centuries, beginning with their founding in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli. On top of weekly concerts at ‘Iolani Palace and Kapi‘olani Park, the band plays at over 300 events every year. They are led by Bandmaster Clark ..read more

  Minimizing estate asset distribution conflicts among survivors proves to be a challenging consequence of death. Hard-to-divide assets such as a family heirloom or the family home can cause the fracturing of relationships. Consider the family home left to several children. The home may have been in the family for generations. Parents live in the family home without arguing about whether to sell or rent it because they share the common goal of living in the home. Consider leaving the home equally to four children and the common goal disappears. One child needs to sell the home to pay for ..read more

Trusts are tools. Like screwdrivers, they come in a variety of sizes and shapes, each designed to accomplish a defined result. You need a screwdriver with a tip that looks like a straight line for a screw with a head that has a straight slot in it. You need a screwdriver with a tip shaped like a plus symbol for a screw that has a head with a plus-shaped recess. There are other kinds of screwdrivers and screws, but you get the point. You need the right set of tools in order to complete your project efficiently and well. However, not every home improvement project calls for a screwdriver and not ..read more

As your child heads off to college or starts life as an independent young adult, he or she will likely face new financial responsibilities, such as a car purchase, rent or college tuition payments. Given their lack of credit history, it may be difficult for them to obtain a loan without a parent or another adult cosigning the loan. Your natural inclination may be to help them out and sign the dotted line, but before you do, make sure you’re clear on the terms of the loan and what it may mean for your finances. Cosign with your eyes wide open Even though you may not consider it “your loan” if y ..read more

More than 50% of us will experience stress and anxiety while seeking long-term care, according to a recent AARP study. Firstly, it is difficult to find information about all the available services. Worse yet, without a way to easily compare them, they are seemingly indistinguishable (after all, there are over 1,800 senior care facilities and providers in Hawai‘i). Lastly, families are often caught off guard and must choose a care provider quickly. Given the challenges, follow these strategies to successfully navigate complex and diverse care system: • Allow ample time to learn the essentials ..read more

For beneficiaries on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan may provide the extra coverage they need. Also known as “Medigap” plans, these policies which are sold by private insurance companies fill the “gaps” not covered by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for services. To be eligible to purchase a Medigap, an individual must be enrolled into Part B. This kickstarts the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for 6 months. During this period, insurance companies can’t deny enrollment and will provide coverage at the best p ..read more

A Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is the time when an eligible Medicare beneficiary may sign up for a Medicare plan under exceptional circumstances. It’s vital to understand eligibility for Medicare plan SEP to help avoid a late enrollment penalty. SEP is granted to beneficiaries who were unable to enroll in a plan during the General Enrollment Period (GEP) for valid reasons. It depends on the personal situation, such as moving out of your existing Medicare plan’s service area, losing employer-provided medical coverage or losing Medicaid eligibility. The beginning and end dates of SEP ..read more

Q: My cousin and I are both retired and get Social Security. We worked for the same employer for years, but he gets a higher Social Security benefit. Why is that? A: Your payments are based on your earnings over your lifetime. Unless you are both the same age, started and stopped work on the exact same dates and earned the very same amount every year of your careers, you wouldn’t get the same benefit as your cousin. Social Security benefits are based on many years of earnings — generally your highest 35 years. To learn more about Social Security retirement benefits, visit ssa.gov/benefits. Q ..read more

Primary care services play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of geriatric patients, addressing their unique healthcare needs and promoting a higher quality of life. Access to timely and comprehensive primary care is particularly crucial for this demographic. Geriatric patients often face multiple and complex health issues, requiring a coordinated and holistic approach to their care. Primary care providers serve as the frontline defenders, managing chronic conditions, preventive care and addressing emerging health concerns. Timely visits allow for early detection of potential problems ..read more