Things to DO in Puna as we grow older??

[Guest]

Now that so many of us are getting older out here, I am wondering what other older folks are doing with their time as we are living out here on this island?. Being that I grew up out here, I have formed habits of things I enjoy doing. Such as fishing our coastlines, hiking trails and valleys, and always in constant search of the perfect waves. All of these activities are becoming a bit more difficult with these older legs.
My wife tells me to walk more and sit here less, which is something I find hard to do. For just walking does nothing for my spirit of life, and to be honest just gets boring after a week or two. So I am asking all you fine neighbors what are you doing with your time in general as time is becoming more and more valuable?. What are you doing to stay in shape mentally and physically?. P.S. With the new year approaching I will in deed attempt another round of new years resolutions. So please chime in with a few ideas?. Happy holidays.

[punafish]

Aloha gypsy69!

Pretty sure EVERYONE here is getting older all the time, right along with the rest of the world.

Here's what we do as the years sneak up on us:

1) Swim. It's easy on the "old legs" and chance of injury minimal. It's great exercise and relaxing, keeps the blood pressure down too. We swim together in the morning as often as we can, usually 5-7 days/week.

2) Read. Currently working through Einstein's biography and thoroughly enjoying it. Got a stack of books on my kindle when I'm done with Einstein. (A reading group would be fun, but getting the right mix of people isn't always easy.)

3) Write: anyone can set up a blog in a couple minutes. My ramblings are typically business/culture related. The beauty of a blog is you can choose to write whatever the hell you want.

4) Play guitar. I suck but it's fun, and I do it alone so no humans are harmed in the process.

5) Walk. I've learned to dig walking, not because of the walking itself, but because it creates a nice opportunity to converse with my wife without interruptions. We have some of our best chats during our walks.

6) Work. Self-employed and love my job. Never want to stop working.

7) The best time spent is hanging with family and friends. We socialize with likeminded people, including our son and his friends. (Thankfully they are all dancers and entertainers, so we throw the best parties in the neighborhood!)

[macuu222]

I run/jog every afternoon for an hour in HPP from my house to the HPP oceanfront and back (about 3 miles roundtrip). I'm almost 60 and been doing it every day (rain or shine) for the past 4 years. It was hard at first but after a few weeks it got easier to the point that now I really enjoy it. Great cardiovascular exercise and burns up all the wine I drink the night before. And I just feel great afterward!

[birdmove]

I just "hit" 60 recently. I have an ankle problem, so jogging is iffy. I do work out in a gym, Aloha Fitness in Hilo, about 4 times a week. I do at least 30 minutes of cardio, either on an elliptical, or a fast walk (if my ankle doesn't hurt). Then I hit the weights. I do at least an hour. Sometimes I use the heavy bag.

I have a few air guns and like to do target practice with them on my acre, with a proper, safe and secure back stop.

I like to ride motorcycles and/or scooters.

I help my Daughter with never ending Father-dos...projects she wants done. Maybe building raised bed planter boxes or whatever.



Jon in Keaau/HPP

[Guest]

Wow I like the activity, thank you for sharing such wonderful ideas. I feel like starting some of these habits tomorrow, not waiting for the new year. Great to live in such an area like this, and to have good weather most the year round. ( cold in most parts of U.S. right now ). Happy Holidays. P.S. my grand mother who is 96 is telling me "if I don't use it I will lose it". So it's time to become even more active, just maybe a few new habits?.

[birdmove]

I forgot to mention I also ride a bicycle. I have routes within HPP that are like 17-18 miles that I have found dog safe and this is without covering the same ground twice. I have ridden to Pahoa and back several times and to Keaau both ways. One ride from Hilo home, but am planning to do a Hilo round trip soon. The Pahoa ride, from HPP to Pahoa is a bit hard due to the fact that there has always been a headwind to deal with. Coming home is easy!

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[eigoya]

Please tell me that HPP route. Just last night riding my bike near sunset, I decided to turn down an untested street when two dogs appeared and began fighting with themselves when they saw me. That was new, but I turned and I proceeded to Beach.....

[DoryGray]

There's also Yoga classes in Pahoa Mon/Wed & Keaau Tues/Thurs. There are classes at UH Hilo that seem interesting. I've gone caving, exploring our numerous lava tubes w/ the Big Island club "The Grotto". There are various meditation groups in Leilani & HPP. Volunteer at the Food Basket or Salvation Army soup kitchen. Lots to do - lucky to be retired.

[hikatz]

Ride bike, photography, read. (miss playing friendly card games, rummy, hearts, poker etc.)
reading hawaiian links online, one good website with atlas, history, vintage photos and more.
http://www.luckyulivehawaii.com/phodex.htm

The library has ebooks audiobooks emagazines you can download. Learn Hawaiian and other languages free.
http://hawaii.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default/

2014 wish list, take advantage of the different programs/activities out there, join an exercise group, sign up for the SeniorNet class http://lucymaloney.vpweb.com/

There is a lot of activities in East Hawaii, but the information is scattered.
Hawaii Tribune Herald every Saturday prints a 4 page calender of coming up events, clubs and meetings.

http://www.punahappenings.com/pb/wp_b8c0...0700f.html

http://www.meetup.com/EastHawaiiGatherings/

http://www.meetup.com/find/

http://www.hiloliving.com/Hilo_Dec13Calendar.html

http://www.hiloliving.com/Hilo_Activities.html

http://www.hiloliving.com/Hilo_Calendar.html

http://www.konaweb.com/calendar/
shows upcoming events around the Island.