The annual Valentine's Dance is just one of many activities sponsored by the city and county's parks and recreation department. It often involves many of the senior clubs from around Oahu."Department of Parks and Recreation sponsors about 37 clubs," said Steve Santiago, Honolulu Parks and Recreation. "They're located all around our island and there's one at the park nearest you. And whether it's a holoholo club or a formal club, there are activities to go."
Whether it's dancing - or other activities - Santiago says the city focuses on several basic areas of interest to the seniors.
"Primarily we got the four E's out there," Santiago explained. "We have education in our centers. We've got entertainment, we have exercise and they come to eat. And our directors love the program and our seniors are active and going to all of our classes."
Experts tell us that the more active seniors are, the more able they are to take care of themselves. But sometimes being active just means - getting out of the house.
"Socialization is a major part of our clubs. They get together sometimes just for lunch,” Santiago said. "They sit down and play mah jong. It keeps the mind active. They get together for ceramics. But we also have the more active seniors who will get in there to do a Richard Simmons aerobics class."
Santiago believes the senior clubs and activities are valuable to the entire community.
"Our elders are gifts. Our kupuna in our society offer you so much," said Santiago. "When our recreation directors meet them, they find out, they're meeting a person. They're not just meeting some number. Keeping our seniors active allows them to keep on giving back to our community. They're no longer just put into the back rooms. They're now in the front of society."
