KAILUA-KONA — West Hawaii this week officially joined the rest of the island as a community where leaders are coming together to promote healthy lifestyles as part of a nationwide “Blue Zones Project.”
The inclusion of West Hawaii as a demonstration site makes the island the first county in the nation to be “completely blue,” said Michael Stollar, HMSA president and chief operation officer.
Stollar announced the designation for the region on Wednesday at the West Hawaii Civic Center. West Hawaii was one of several communities to apply for the designation.
West Hawaii going blue is a perfect fit, according to Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha, who said the region already has a “healthy heritage” and touted its connection to feats of athletic prowess like the Ironman World Championship.
Adding Blue Zones into the mix and promoting healthy living among residents will add to that.
“This builds upon our environment as a healthy community,” he said.
What exactly is The Blue Zones Project?
It started after a National Geographic fellow studied five places on Earth where humans live longer, healthier lives.
Dubbing the areas “Blue Zones,” project founder Dan Buettner identified nine key attributes in those communities and set to work with other community leaders to improve health and well-being elsewhere.
Those principles, called “Power 9” go beyond eating right and staying active, also stressing mental and social well-being, encouraging people to “wake up with purpose” and reduce stress.
His research gained popularity across the country and more than 20 communities have since adopted strategies modeled after Buettner’s findings.
Two years ago, East Hawaii and North Hawaii became the first of the state’s demonstration sites along with Windward Oahu.
In its application, West Hawaii demonstrated an ability to collaborate with various sectors, carry out the workload associated with being a Blue Zones community, an excellent understanding of project concepts and “outstanding leadership and engagement” from the relevant sectors of the community.
As of Jan. 1, close to a total 3,000 people in North and East Hawaii have signed the project’s “Personal Pledge to live longer better.”
More than 1,000 have also joined purpose workshops or cooking demonstrations that teach how to prepare meals with more of a focus on a plant-based diet.
And it’s more than just individuals getting involved.
In East Hawaii, five grocery stores, 12 restaurants and 35 worksites have registered to empower their respective customers and employees to make healthier choices. Schools and faith-based organizations around the island have also registered to participate in the program.
The county government, too, is already making efforts here to increase opportunities for residents to be healthy and get moving.
Barbara Kossow, who spoke on behalf of Mayor Harry Kim, mentioned infrastructure improvements happening in West Hawaii.
As examples, she mentioned planned improvements to make Alii Drive a more walkable and bike-friendly corridor as well as “Queen’s Lei,” a planned 16.7-mile loop trail that will connect Kailua Village to Palamanui.
“Being a Blue Zone is something I’m so excited about,” she said.
By becoming a demonstration site, teams of consultants and experts will work with schools, workplaces and other community institutions to boost West Hawaii’s opportunities to become a healthier community overall.
A kick-off celebration will take place later this year.
Still following through with become healthier is up to the individual, Kanuha said, residents need to take it upon themselves to take advantage of opportunities for cleaner living.
“It’s up to us, the people of West Hawaii, to get involved,” he said.