Carole Kai was honored at the fifth annual Kupuna Power event this week not for her enduring career as a Hawaii entertainer, but for her long-standing service to the community.
Kai accepted the Daniel Kahikina Akaka Award for Outstanding Senior Service from former U.S. Sen. Akaka and fellow entertainer Danny Kaleikini at the Thursday event in the state Capitol courtyard.
Kai is best known for her singing career and for co-hosting the “Hawaii Stars” karaoke contest TV show. But she also has a reputation as a generous philanthropist, including as an organizer of the annual Great Aloha Run. February’s run was the 32nd time the event was held.
The American Association of Retired Persons Hawaii also received the Daniel Kahi- kina Akaka Award in recognition of its service to seniors.
The annual Kupuna Power event was organized by state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kakaako- McCully-Moiliili). “Empowering our seniors with the information and tools they need to keep them independent and make the best of their golden years is what Kupuna Power is all about,” he said in a statement.
According to the University of Hawaii-Manoa Center of Aging, 20.6 percent of Hawaii’s population is over 60. The population of seniors in the state is projected to increase by nearly 10 percent over the next decades, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
The event included lectures about topics ranging from identity theft prevention to Medicare.
“People are living longer. As a result,
70 percent of people over 65 will need long-term care services and support at some point in their lifetime,” said Galuteria.
Kupuna Power also featured performances by the Kupuna Power Philharmonic Orchestra, Marlene Sai, Kaleikini and comedian Frank De Lima.
Among organizations that supported the event were the Hawaii Medical Service Association, the Na Kupuna Makamae Center, Territorial Savings Bank, Walgreens and the Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust.
