Blue Zones Project - Wahiawa has officially launched with three days of events drawing over 750 people. Community members came out to eat a delicious Blue Zones inspired, plant-based meal and to hear the Blue Zones story.
Friday night, over 100 community members unwound over wine and Blue Zones inspired pupus at the Stop Whining...it's Friday! Wine @ 5 Event held at Dot’s Restaurant and hosted by Wahiawa Fresh.
Blue Zones Project - Wahiawa wrapped up their kickoff weekend with the School's Out For Summer Kickoff Celebration at Kaala Elementary School. In addition to live performances, ono plant-based food, demonstrations and workshops, and tons of keiki activities, attendees were introduced to over 60 participating organizations, 50 of which were from Wahiawa, sharing information on health and wellness. Attendees were also given the opportunity to save lives by donating blood at the Blook Bank of Hawaii Bloodmobile. Many folks left with resources to help them live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Participating organizations were presented with certificates over three days. Blue Zones Project - Wahiawa kicked off a weekend full of events with their Blue Zones Project Dinner hosted by Wahiawa Seventh-Day Adventist Church with food prepared by Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission. Community members of different faith-based organizations came together to listen to the Blue Zones Story and share what wellness means to them.
Mahalo to everyone who attended or volunteered at Blue Zones Project - Wahiawa's Kickoff celebrations this past weekend! We are excited to join other Blue Zones Project communities in making your community a healthier and happier place to live, work, and play.
Want to get involved with Blue Zones Project – Hawai‘i and learn more about how to live longer better? Email us at bluezonesprojecthawaii@sharecare.com or visit Hawaii.bluezonesproject.com. Like us on Facebook (@bzphawaii) and Instagram (@bzphawaii) too!
Ashley Takitani Leahey is the 
Statewide Engagement Lead for Blue Zones Project – Hawaii and is responsible for strategic marketing and PR as well as providing support for the efforts of the community teams. Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Studio Arts from Loyola Marymount University. Upon returning to Hawaii, she completed her Executive MBA degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa while working as the Marketing Innovation and Project Development Manager at Sae Design. Ashley is now making great use of her experience and education to raise awareness for the importance of well-being in her home state. After being introduced to Blue Zones Project and its impacts, she energetically championed the effort in her hometown of Wailuku to bring the initiative to Central Maui. An active community member on numerous non-profit boards and co-owner of local boutique, Maui Thing, Ashley loves to spend her free time outdoors. Whether its tending to her dahlias in the garden or hanging at the beach, she loves her Vitamin D! She’s also obsessed with yoga (for a great at-home yoga sesh, check out yogaglo.com), arts and crafts, HGTV’s Fixer Upper and her chocolate lab!
