Several hundred seniors converged at the state Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday morning for the fourth annual Kupuna Power Day, a mix of entertainment and educational activities.

Attendees picked up informational pamphlets and brochures from more than three dozen vendors and service providers detailing topics ranging from Medicare and Medicaid to senior companionship programs and protection from identity theft. A new addition to this year’s event was a tech center tailored to help seniors learn more about the ever-changing world of technology.

“We’re trying to empower seniors,” said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D, Kakaako-McCully-Waikiki), the event’s organizer. “This is an environment where people can come, where they can learn about these things and maybe ask somebody for help without feeling (embarrassed) about it.”

Galuteria said a visit to a senior home in his district to speak on Medicaid and Medicare touched off the idea for a kupuna-focused celebration of sorts. “There was a room filled with people who were thirsting for information,” he recalled.

Festivities got underway Wednesday with Gov. David Ige proclaiming the day as Kupuna Power Day.

Ige said: “We need to do a better job in ensuring that our kupuna have many, many options for how they want to live their happiest time of their lives, living in our community.” He added, “It has been great to partner with Sen. Brickwood Galuteria and the rest of the legislators in really providing the kind of program that we need to ensure that our kupuna are protected as they age gracefully.”

Retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka attended the event for a second straight year to recognize the winners of the 2016 Daniel Kahikina Akaka Award for Outstanding Senior Service: Jimmy Yee, of Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii, and Jerry Rauckhorst, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii.

The event also featured group yoga stretches and musical performances by Marlene Sai, Danny Kaleikini, Nina Kealiiwahamana and Frank De Lima. Galuteria accompanied much of the singing on acoustic guitar.

“This event was wonderful,” said Aileen Amoy, 73, of Waimanalo. “I came last year, and it was good, too. I felt the speech that they made and the performances (were) good. This gives a lot of information to the elderly that wouldn’t (otherwise) get the information.”