16-05-2025
AARP: Kupuna who travel more may live longer
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Seniors are more eager to travel this year. As we come up on the travel season, planning for the most desired trips of your life can help you live longer.
'Studies have shown that if you have a purpose in life, if you have something that you wake up and look forward to every day, you are going to live a longer life overall,' Craig Gima, AARP Hawaii Communications Director, explained.
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He added that having a bucket list is very important and healthy.
AARP's newest survey found that more lists are getting checked off as kupuna, the desire for kupuna to travel increased by five percent this year.
'There are so many people going to Japan, there's so many people traveling to the mainland to see family.'
Wahiawa resident Sherry Imamura-Ryan was able to travel through the charity wish of a lifetime.
The wish allowed her to see Tokyo again, where she was born, and reconnect with cousins during cherry blossom season.'I did see my cousins we had a wonderful lunch, we talked about old times, we shared photos, I now even have their email addresses so we're going to stay in touch, and when I go back to Japan in a couple of years with my entire family we'll see them again,' said Imamura-Ryan.
She hopes her trip can inspire others to chase their dreams.
'When I think back now, I don't know why I was so afraid to go to Japan. Now it's opened new windows for me and I'm not afraid to travel anymore,' she said.
If you want to submit a kupuna, visit this website, but charity can only help so many and traveling is expensive.
It's also not the only thing that makes taking trips difficult for kupuna. Planning ahead can help out a lot.
'The number one factor that limits travel is cost, but number two behind it for older people is mobility,' Gima said.
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The sooner you can get started, the more you can afford to live out your dreams and see the world.
'Even if you're in your 20's, start right now and save money for it. Make sure you have a way to afford the things you want to do when you retire.'
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