Two longtime University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ faculty members, Kathryn Braun and Cullen Hayashida, played key roles in the 20th anniversary conference of the (ACAP) held in Fukuoka, Japan, in March 2025. They joined a 10-member Â鶹´«Ã½ delegation, including representatives from the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Department of Health and local k¨±puna-serving organizations.
The conference brought together experts from more than 40 countries to share knowledge on dementia-friendly communities, digital inclusion, migration and care work, and intergenerational relationships.
Braun, professor of public health at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ and current ACAP president, is the principal investigator of the federally-funded in the . She highlighted Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s rapidly aging population and the value of learning from other countries¡¯ experiences.
“Â鶹´«Ã½ is one of the most rapidly aging states in the nation, but not as fast as Japan and several other Asian countries,” said Braun. “These gatherings help us adapt successful models to meet Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s unique needs.”
Hayashida, graduate affiliate faculty in UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s , and , is the founding director of the K¨±puna Education Center at Kapiʻolani Community College. He described ACAP as a vital network of researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and advocates committed to active aging.
“Active retirees should pivot from just being youthful to becoming useful contributors,” he said.
ACAP welcomes members of all ages and backgrounds to participate in monthly webinars and international knowledge exchange. Membership is free. To join, email Kathryn Braun at kbraun@hawaii.edu.