Seniors Celebrate Chinese Moon Festival At Camp Pineapple

Greg Faustino (left), Wayne Nacario, Melvin Sabagala, Eugene Villarimo and Stuart Holloway get cooking Sept. 19 at the Mid-Autumn Wellness Camp Retreat. Photo courtesy Camp Pineapple 808.

About 60 seniors had an overnight adventure last month in cabins at Camp Pineapple 808 in Wahiawa, with plenty of items on their to-do list – despite the large Helemano fire raging nearby at the time.

The Mid-Autumn Wellness Retreat opened Sept. 19 by observing the Chinese Moon Festival with cooking lessons, cultural activities, dinner and an evening of games and entertainment.

“There was a lot of traffic because of the road closure, but the seniors waited and they eventually got to the camp,” said executive assistant Yvonne de Luna. “They still had time to barbecue, eat a feast, play miniature golf, bingo, sing karaoke and dance.

“They even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the September celebrants under the full moon.”

Police officers and staff from the prosecuting attorney’s office shared tips on pedestrian safety, home security and how to avoid identity theft and scams. Dr. John Magauran conducted blood pressure checks. The retreat concluded the next day with meditation, cooking fried rice and a Korean film.

According to Peggy Oshiro, volunteer senior coordinator, the campers ranged in age from 62 to 92, and many of them took walks after the sessions in their wheelchairs and walkers.

Another camp-out is planned for Oct. 31-Nov. 1 for the seniors, who regularly attend wellness classes at ORI Anuenue Hale Inc.’s Aloha Gardens facility, located north of Wahiawa at Helemano Plantation. Camp Pineapple 808 is an ADA-accessible campground facility located near the program’s wellness center.

The 36-acre nonprofit complex, operated by ORI (Opportunities and Resources Inc.) and its affiliate Anuenue Hale serve seniors as well as people with disabilities via therapeutic, social, recreational and educational activities. Some activities include both groups. Weekday offerings – free or at a nominal cost – include tai chi, chi kung, yoga, computers and social media, karaoke, health talks, bon dancing, line dancing, mah jong and more. Adult day care runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For details about classes or the next camp, call 622-3929.