Blog

When siblings come together to care for aging parents, we imagine it will bring the family closer. In reality, it often does the opposite. Long-buried tensions resurface, old patterns return, and what should be a season of support becomes a source of lasting strain. I see this frequently in families here in Honolulu and throughout Hawaiʻi — and it’s one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of aging-parent care. With more than 37 million Americans providing unpaid elder

If you’ve ever played White Elephant, you know exactly how quickly things can get competitive. Someone “steals” the one gift worth having, alliances form between spouses, and poor Cousin Sarah ends up stuck with the singing fish for the third year in a row. It’s all in good fun — mostly. Now imagine that same energy, except the “prizes” are Dad’s classic car, Mom’s jewelry, or the beach house your parents bought decades ago. No rules. No turns. No laughing afterward. And unli

The holiday season brings families together around food, laughter, and long-held traditions. Here in Hawaiʻi, those gatherings often come with even deeper moments of connection — time with grandparents, aunties, uncles, and keiki that reminds us just how precious family truly is. But even with this closeness, many ʻohana avoid the conversations that matter most: What will happen when you’re gone? Who will care for the people you love? How will your legacy be carried forward?