IN THIS ISSUE:

Benefits of Yoga

Mo`olelo: Bobby Nakihei Jr.

Practicing Gratitude

Recipe: Thai Tofu Chopped Salad

Save-The-Date:

HHAPI & Moku `Aina A Wakinekona Civic Club will be co-hosting a zoom webinar on Tuesday, June 28 @ 7pm.       
Dr. Ka`imi Sinclair will discuss current Hawaiian health statistics and why it's important for our people to participate.

A strong & healthy mind and body is a gift to both yourself and your `ohana. Take good care of yourself both mentally & physically.
NEW HHAPI Referral Program: Receive up to (2) $25 gift cards for referring friends or family. Ask the study team for more information.
What are the Health Benefits of Yoga for Reducing High Blood Pressure (HBP)?

Mind-Body practices such as meditation and yoga are holistic approaches that boost heart and brain health. According to a review published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, yoga decreased both systolic (the top number-measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries each time it beats) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number-measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries in between beats).
 
The bridge pose, head-to-knee forward bend and legs-up-the-wall are good therapeutic yoga poses for reducing high blood pressure. Always check with your doctor to ensure poses are safe for you.


FREE HHAPI YOGA CLASSES STARTING IN MAY!

Marla, HHAPI’s Peer Educator recently received her 200-hour yoga certification through Native Strength Revolution (NSR), her goal is to bring yoga to NHPI communities. Follow HHAPI on TIK TOK & Facebook to learn beginner poses and flows. 
Yoga for Diabetes
 
Health Benefits can Include:
 
  • Better sleep
  • Reduced anxiety and depression
  • Enhanced feelings of well-being
  • Relief from chronic illnesses
  • Improved digestion, circulation, and immunity
  • Improved posture, flexibility and strength
  • Enhanced concentration and energy levels
  • Enhanced function and efficiency of respiratory, neurological and endocrine organs
 
For more information:

www.webmd.com/diabetes/yoga-diabetes-poses
Mo`olelo: Robert Kala Nakihei Jr.
This month, HHAPI is highlighting Robert Kala Nakihei Jr., son of Bobby and Diana Nakihei (founders of Bobby’s Hawaiian Style Restaurant). They currently have their popular Lynnwood location along with a food truck and intend to expand in the near future. Bobby Jr. and his sister, Jodi Moe, will be continuing their Dad’s legacy by continuing to run and manage the family business and to kokua the local community through service.
“My parents did a lot for the community and we plan to continue in their footsteps. Being able to make a positive change in our community with businesses like the Aloha Friday Project and Purple Mountains is a priority for us.”
The Aloha Friday Project is a collaborative effort from the community to take care of each other through ALOHA. I was approached by AFP (www.alohafridayproject.com) in February and I was honored to help.
It's about businesses partnering up with charities and/or non-profit organizations to care for community members that need extra love and support. They currently are helping Pathways for Women Shelter with donation boxes. Bobby Jr. calls all who bring donations to help “Bobby’s Angels.”
“Whenever you reach out to one another, that’s aloha. Whenever you throw some extra food on the grill and welcome the lonely, that’s aloha. And whenever you pass around something special, that’s aloha. It’s a smile. It’s a laugh. It’s a warmth that changes someone’s day. Because if you can change enough days, that’s how you slowly change the world. So, welcome. And aloha. Mahalo piha." -AFP
What is your favorite way to move your kino (body)?  
 
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I feel incredibly blessed to have access to all kinds of outdoor activities. My favorite is short hikes, mostly the various trails offered in Point Defiance Park.

I recently got a kayak and my mom and I like to visit the numerous lakes and shorelines around South Puget Sound to dip our paddles into. My favorite launch site is Luhr's Landing just off the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. 
Share your name, your `ohana/family names and your favorite `aina or wai...what land/water source are you most connected to and why.

My father’s family name is Nakihei, my mother’s family names are Puhi and Kahili. My favorite body of water is the Pacific Ocean, the reason I chose the Pacific Ocean is because both Oahu and Seattle are connected to it. 



This young man has some big shoes to fill, but his passion and vision are inspiring; Uncle Bobby would be so proud of his hard work ethic and big heart.
“Purple Mountains is my next health & wellness project-to connect local practitioners to give out free or reduced cost holistic natural health care services like chiropractic care, lomi lomi massage therapy, acupuncture and more that blends physical, mental and emotional health & wellness.”




What are you grateful for and why?
I Mahalo Ke Akua, my life, and my Ohana.

What brings you joy?
Spending my time with my family and friends, learning new concepts for life then sharing these ideas. Seeing my nephews and nieces grow up. Traveling with my fiancé, Chantal Harris.

During difficult journeys, how do you heal and restore your health and mental well-being?
I meditate and pray alot. I also enjoy taking walks and hikes in nature. Conversating and listening to other healthy perspectives.

How do you share your mana`o and mana with the keiki in your life?
With intentional action. Since they see and copy everything, I try to lead by example. I also sit them down and explain life lessons, especially when I hear they are dealing/struggling with tough decisions in their journey.

What is your favorite way to move your kino (body)?
My all-time favorite is a 45-minute brisk walk at 4:30am. My second would be stretching in the hot tub.
What is a quote that empowers you?    
                                      
Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
Would you share an easy, healthy-heart recipe that your `ohana enjoys?

Irish sea moss: Need 3 cups sea moss and spring H20 Instructions: Wash and soak the moss for 24 hours. Rinse off salt after soak. Blend 3 cups sea moss and 1 cup water until creating a fine gel. Store for 3 weeks in mason jarUse 2 tablespoons a day and mix into any drink.
If you’re in the Lynnwood area, you gotta go check out Bobby’s for ono Hawaiian plate lunches, malasadas and coming soon…shave ice! Bobby’s Hawaiian Style Restaurant 14626 Highway 99 in Lynnwood, WA   
Marla, HHAPI’s Peer Educator
with Bobby Jr. @ Bobby’s! 
Had to go try their delicious
malasadas!
What is the HHAPI Team’s Favorite way to Move in the Spring?
Lexie: Getting outside and either walking the dogs or trying to keep up with never-ending yard work!

Nicole: My favorite movement for the month of May is biking! I’m doing a 200-mile challenge for the American Heart Association. My goal is to bike everyday-for stroke awareness.
 
Marla: I love getting my `ohana outside in nature. Beach walks or mountain hikes are my favorites. I also love to practice yoga and take dance and kickboxing classes.
3 Ways to Practice Gratitude

Everyone can benefit from making an effort to practice gratitude every day. These 3 steps can help you start feeling more grateful, and appreciative of the good things in your life:

1.  Notice good things, look for them, appreciate them.

2.  Savor, absorb, and really pay attention to those good things.

3.  Express your gratitude to yourself, write it down, or thank someone.
Notice the Good Things in Your Life

Start to notice and identify the things you are grateful for. Tune in to the small everyday details of your life and notice the good things you might sometimes take for granted. Try these ideas:

Each day, think of 3 things you are grateful for. Nature. People. Community. Shelter. Creature comforts like a warm bed or a good meal. It's amazing what you notice when you focus on feeling grateful.

Start a gratitude journal. Making a commitment to writing down good things each day makes it more likely that we will notice good things as they happen.
Practice gratitude rituals. 
Some people say grace before a meal. Pausing in gratitude before eating doesn't have to be religious. It's a simple habit that helps us notice and appreciate the blessing of food on the table.

Once you're aware of the blessings of everyday life, the next step is to savor them.
Savor the Feeling of Gratitude
There are moments when you naturally, right then and there, feel filled with gratitude. These are moments when you say to yourself, "Oh, wow, this is amazing!" or "How great is this!"
Pause. Notice and absorb that feeling of true, genuine gratitude. Let it sink in. Soak it up. Savor your blessings in the moment they happen.

Express Gratitude
Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It's about showing your heartfelt appreciation. When you thank someone, you're also practicing the first two gratitude skills: you've noticed something good, and you've genuinely appreciated it. Try this:
  • Show your appreciation to someone who did something nice. Say: "It was really kind of you to…," "It really helped me out when you…," "You did me a big favor when…," "Thank you for listening when…," "I really appreciated it when you taught me…," or "Thank you for being there when…." You also can write your gratitude in a letter.
  • Express gratitude by doing a kindness. Gratitude might inspire you to return a favor, or act with kindness or thoughtfulness. Or you might see a situation when you can "pay it forward." Hold the door open for the person behind you, even if it means waiting a little longer than you normally would. Do someone else's chores without letting the person find out it was you. Notice how you feel afterward!
  • Tell the people in your life how you feel, what they mean to you. You don't have to be mushy or over-the-top. We all have our own style. But if you say what you feel in the right tone at the right moment, even a simple, "Mom, good dinner. Thanks!" means a lot.

True gratitude doesn't leave you feeling like you owe other people something — after all, if you've done someone a favor, you probably don't want the person to feel like you expect something back in return. It's all about feeling good and creating a cycle of good. 
For more family and health topics, visit kidshealth.org
Upcoming Summer Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Festivals