HILO — The Waiakea Recreation Center Fitness Group’s annual Christmas party this week was, unsurprisingly, a festive affair. Seemingly every attendee was dressed in deep shades of red and green, and merry carols piped through the Sky Garden restaurant at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center.
The fitness group is just for seniors, meets twice a week and is led by Ron Takeya. The class itself was started in 1975 by Yoshio Obasa; Takeya began teaching 20 years ago. There are 120 regulars.
Five of them are in their 90s.
“It’s really a pleasure to be there,” said 90-year-old Sonoko Muranaka. “I enjoy this.”
She’s been attending the class for 20 years, having joined after retirement on the recommendation of her coworkers.
The class “keeps me physically fit and strong,” said Yvonne Souza, who is 92.
The group of active nonagenarians was honored during the party, with each presented a bouquet of poinsettias and cheered by their families and their fitness classmates.
Ichiyo Nishimoto, 94, drove in from Papaikou, as she does each week when she comes to class. Masaye Kuwahara, also 94, drives to class each week as well.
For Kuwahara, who lives by herself, the regular class is more than just a chance to stay physically active. It’s an opportunity to be with her friends.
“I like to see the ladies, and to talk to them,” she said. “It’s so good to talk to them.”
“You know, when you get to my age, you don’t get to go to many places,” said Masako Otano, who turns 92 next month.
Getting out and about and building social connections are important at any age. But they take on more weight as people get older.
At the Hawaii County Office on Aging, keeping seniors active and involved in the community is a priority. The office contracts with the Elderly Activities Division of Parks and Recreation for some of its programs — the Waiakea Recreation Center is managed by the parks department.
According to Kimo Alameda, executive director of the Office on Aging, the countywide average age for senior citizens moving from being classified as “active” — as opposed to frail or semidependent — is 82.
The number jumped out at him right away after he took on his current position earlier this spring.
“Seniors are living healthier and longer lives,” Alameda said.
“My job is to motivate (everyone), and that’s easy,” said Takeya, who also was honored during the party. He retired six years ago from his job at the Waiakea center, but continues to teach the fitness class.
The participants who are in their 90s are his inspiration.
“That’s what I look up to,” Takeya said.
The class is “a fun thing,” he said, adding that “you can’t beat the price” (it costs $5 for six months of classes).
“We try to be a family, an ohana,” Takeya said. That’s why he didn’t stop teaching after retirement: “I can’t turn back on a family.”
The Waiakea Recreation Center’s fitness class for seniors meets from 9-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune -herald.com.