By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – In a ceremony on June 1st, Mayor Rick Blangiardi proclaimed June 2022 to be Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in the City and County of Honolulu to encourage Honolulu residents to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and to thank the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i for providing access to resources and support in our community.
“The risk of developing Alzheimer’s exists within all of us,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “During the month of June we have the opportunity to learn more about this disease, the ten warning signs and what we can do to inspire action. I want to thank the outstanding staff at the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i for providing invaluable care and support services to all impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias for the past 40 years.”
“In Hawai‘i, over 29,000 live with Alzheimer’s disease; one in three kūpuna who die, dies with it,” added LJ R. Duenas, executive director at the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i. “This month, we raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and Brain Health and invite the community to learn more about the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s by visiting alz.org/10signs.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hawai‘i is projected to see a 21% increase in Alzheimer’s cases by 2025. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s offers important benefits for individuals and their families by enabling the person with the disease to play an active role in planning for the future and making the most of life.
In addition to Wednesday’s Proclamation, Mayor Rick Blangiardi has requested that Honolulu Hale be illuminated in the color purple from sunset on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 to sunrise on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and Brain Health. Purple is the official color of the Alzheimer’s movement.
In 1982, the Alzheimer’s Association established operations in Hawai‘i. Today, the Association has staff on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i Maui and Hawai‘i Island. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawai‘i, including how you can get involved, visit https://www.alz.org/hawaii.