Last week, the governor's office acknowledged the volunteer efforts of kupuna across the state. 

Last week, eight senior volunteers were honored for their service.

"Sylvia Abernathy and Wilfred Kealoha Sugiyama from Hawaii County.  From the city and county of Honolulu, we have Anita Lonado-Achio and Jim Howell.  From Kauai we have Lola Cruz and Basilio Fuertes, Jr. and we have Adele Rugg and Jim Crow from Maui County,” said Dr. West Lum of the executive office of aging.  "Personally for me I really love this because we're actually in a sense re-defining the traditional ways of retirement because we're seeing role models like Jim who are just being active and independent and contributing and it's just a wonderful thing."

We were lucky enough to talk with James Howell Thursday morning.  "I do some work in an organizing outfit called FACE.  That's part of our church mission.  We do some work with Project Dana which our church is also sort of affiliated with and of course, I've done a couple things on my own like tax aid work, helping seniors with taxes and Medicaid counseling with Sage Plus."

The fact is, like many seniors these days, James is busier in retirement than he was when he was working full time.  Why does he do so much volunteer work?

"Well, Kirk, one reason is that I can.  I know at some point the heart's going to go or the head's going to go and I won't be able to.  So while I can, I'd like to contribute what I can,” he said.

Again, congratulations to our 2011 outstanding seniors.