Why It’s So Tough to Grow Old in Hawai‘i

The Aloha State’s Isolation and High Costs of Living Make the Challenges of Serving Seniors All the Harder

As our nation’s population rapidly ages, each state’s future depends on the ability of its senior citizens to adapt to the accelerating pace of change. Hawai‘i is no different, and has its own special challenges.

Seniors might start by learning a word: “prosumer.” This means we are not just producers or not just consumers, but rather both. Seniors increasingly serve as both caregivers and care receivers at the same time. This new reality is taking shape right in front of our eyes—and faster in Hawai‘i than elsewhere.

We—yes, I am a senior …