Promoting Healthy Living
Lt. Governor Aiona intensified his efforts to help improve the health of residents across the state, stressing everything from taking part in more physical activity to getting more nutritious food every day – at school, in restaurants and at home.
Lt. Governor Aiona and his daughter, Ka`imilani, 16, run 4.5 miles around Diamond Head at the 15th Annual Heart Walk.
The statewide initiative was part of the Administration’s ongoing focus on countering health risks associated with a lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits that lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
“We will do our part to provide the people of Hawai‘i with the tools they need for healthier living,” Lt. Governor Aiona said in October when he opened the 2008 Hawai‘i Physical Activity and Nutrition Forum. “But we must all work together for our residents to eat healthier and take part in more physical activity.”
Heart disease remains the state’s leading cause of death, killing more than 3,100 people in 2005, according to the Hawai`i Department of Health. At the same time, more than 20 percent of adults in the state are considered obese, accounting for an estimated $290 million in medical expenses in 2003.
As a result, the Lt. Governor led a number of initiatives designed to promote healthy living:
- In September, the Lt. Governor led an estimated 4,000 cyclists in their annual ride through Windward O‘ahu to promote cycling as a way to incorporate regular exercise into a busy schedule. Known as the 2008 Honolulu Century Ride, the event was part of a broader effort to reduce health risks stemming from a lack of regular day-to-day physical activity.
- Speaking in September to industry leaders at the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony and 61st Anniversary Celebration, the Lt. Governor recognized their contribution to a national trend toward offering more nutritious choice to consumers, as well as information about their menu items.
- Then, in May, the Lt. Governor announced new wellness guidelines for Hawai‘i’s public schools that are among the most comprehensive in the nation. The guidelines include standards for food sold or provided on campus, nutrition education and physical education.
- In addition, the Lt. Governor helped launch the “2008 Fittest Executives” competition, organized by Hawai‘i Business Magazine to encourage worksite wellness programs and healthier living in Hawai‘i.
