Blue Zones Project Hawaii

Blue Zones Project is a community-wide well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) has brought Blue Zones Project® to Hawaii to transform our state into an even better place to live, work and play. To reach that goal, we help residents make small changes so we can all enjoy longer, happier and healthier lives.

Small changes can lead to big benefits for our community: lower healthcare costs, higher productivity, and ultimately, a better quality of life. We look forward to working together with organizations, communities and people across the state to make well-being a priority.

Launched in 2015, we’ve now expanded into 8 communities across the state. Check out each community and learn how you can get involved.

Blue Zones Project – East Hawaii includes Hilo, Keaau, Naalehu, Pahala, Pahoa and Volcano on the Big Island. Since launching in Fall 2015, East Hawaii has put on many events for its residents, encouraging them to move naturally and eat wisely by making small changes in their environment.

As a community, we’ve made great changes:

• Over 20,000 individuals have engaged in a Blue Zones Project activity
• 12 grocery stores have become Blue Zones Project approved
• 38 worksites have made changes to their worksite so that it’s easier for employees to make healthy choices
• 15 restaurants have become Blue Zones Project approved, serving healthy Blue Zones menu items
• 18 schools have been Blue Zones Project approved
• 9 faith-based organizations have become Blue Zones Project approved

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project to learn about upcoming events in East Hawaii.

Blue Zones Project – North Hawaii includes Honokaa/Pauilo, Laupahoehoe, Kohala, Waikoloa and Waimea on the Big Island. Following its launch in Fall 2015, North Hawaii has been an active participant in the community with booths at multiple local fairs and farmers’ markets.

As a community, we’ve made great changes:

• Over 6,500 individuals have engaged in a Blue Zones Project activity
• 4 grocery stores have become Blue Zones Project approved
• 8 worksites have made changes to their worksite so that it’s easier for employees to make healthy choices
• 8 restaurants have become Blue Zones Project approved, serving healthy Blue Zones menu items
• 4 schools have been Blue Zones Project approved
• 5 faith-based organizations have become Blue Zones Project approved

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in North Hawaii.

Launched in Fall 2017, Blue Zones Project—West Hawaii is one of our newest communities and includes Honaunau, Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua/Captain Cook, Keauhou, Milolii and Ocean View on the Big Island. There was a huge event to kick-off the initiative in August, and you should keep an eye out for other Blue Zones events coming up around town!

As a community, we’ve made great changes in less than a year:

• Over 2,300 individuals have engaged in a Blue Zones Project activity
• 3 grocery stores have become Blue Zones Project approved
• 9 worksites have made changes to their worksite so that it’s easier for employees to make healthy choices
• 2 restaurants have become Blue Zones Project approved, serving healthy Blue Zones menu items
• 1 school has become Blue Zones Project approved
• 1 faith-based organization has become Blue Zones Project approved

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in West Hawaii.

Launched in Fall 2017, Blue Zones Project—Central Maui is a new community that includes Kahului and Wailuku on the island of Maui. Off to a great start, they’ve alredy engaged many community members and have had a big impact during their week of fun, kickoff events in August!

As a community, we’ve made great changes in less than a year:

• Over 2,600 individuals have engaged in a Blue Zones Project activity
• 3 grocery stores have become Blue Zones Project approved
• 3 worksites have made changes to their worksite so that it’s easier for employees to make healthy choices
• 1 restaurant has become Blue Zones Project approved, serving healthy Blue Zones menu items
• 3 schools are working towards becoming Blue Zones Project approved
• 1 faith-based organization is working towards becoming Blue Zones Project approved

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in Central Maui.

Blue Zones Project—Kapolei-Ewa is another new Blue Zones Project community in Hawaii. After launching at the beginning of 2018, the team here has energized the local organizations, schools and neighborhoods and looks forward to creating a healthier, happier Kapolei-Ewa!

Officially launched in June 2018, Kapolei-Ewa has already done some great things:

• Foodland Kapolei has become the first Blue Zones Approved grocery store in this community
• 1 school has become Blue Zones Project approved
• The community helped to pass a county/state policy to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in Kapolei-Ewa.

Blue Zones Project—Koolaupoko includes Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo on the island of Oahu. After its launch in Fall 2015, Koolaupoko has encouraged its residents to adopt a Blue Zones Project lifestyle by offering various cooking, gardening and purpose workshops, as well as its most recently successful 10-Week Summer Strut Challenge.

As a community, we’ve made great changes:

• Over 5,000 individuals have engaged in a Blue Zones Project activity
• 4 grocery stores have become Blue Zones Project approved
• 10 worksites have made changes to their worksite so that it’s easier for employees to make healthy choices
• 10 restaurants have become Blue Zones Project approved, serving healthy Blue Zones menu items
• 2 schools are working towards becoming Blue Zones Project approved
• 1 faith-based organization is working towards becoming Blue Zones Project approved

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in Koolaupoko.

Blue Zones Project—Wahiawa is centrally located and excited to be one of the newest Blue Zones Project Demonstration communities on O‘ahu. Wa hi awa means "place of noise," referencing the heavy surf that can be heard here. Whether its surfing, walking or gardening, you're sure to see Wahiawa transform into a great well-being example!

Officially launched June 2018, Wahiawa has already done some great things:

• Foodland Wahiawa has become the first Blue Zones Approved grocery store in this community
• 4 restaurants are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• 5 schools have are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• 5 faith-based organizations are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• The community helped to pass a county/state policy to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in Wahiawa.

Blue Zones Project—Manoa-Makiki-McCully-Moiliili launched their well-being initiatives at the beginning of 2018. Whether you're walking, biking or simply cruising through the area, you're sure to see the smiling faces of healthy, happy and active individuals!

Officially launched June 2018, Manoa-Makiki-McCully-Moiliili has already done some great things:

• 2 Foodland stores have become the first Blue Zones approved
• 1 restaurants are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• 11 worksites have registered to become Blue Zones Project approved
• 3 schools are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• 2 faith-based organizations are working to become Blue Zones Project approved
• The community helped to pass a county/state policy to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists

Want to get involved? Visit the Blue Zones Project website to learn about upcoming events in Manoa-Makiki-McCully-Moiliili.

Please join us at one of our upcoming activities in a community near you. Check your Sharecare timeline frequently for the latest updates on events and successes happening in your community.