By Kai Ioh | July, 2025
The Science: Community and Longevity
Hawaii consistently ranks among the top states for longevity. The reasons are deeper than just climate or healthy food. Research like the Blue Zones studies shows that strong social ties, a sense of belonging, and purpose are just as important as diet or exercise. In places where people live longest, you find vibrant, connected communities at the heart of it all.
On the Big Island, you see this in action every day.
Daifukuji Temple: A Hub of Belonging
For my family, community finds its heartbeat at Kona Daifukuji Temple. I serve on the Board of Directors, but my connection isn’t about religion. I consider myself spiritual rather than religious, but what draws me in is how Daifukuji acts as a cultural and generational hub. My daughters grew up playing taiko here. I have co-chaired our annual Bon dance festival for last three years. I and Kumi now play taiko also.
This is more than keeping tradition alive. In Hawaii, temples like Daifukuji have always been more than places of worship. With deep Japanese roots, they became gathering places for immigrants and locals alike. Daifukuji served as community hub for more than 100 years. For many of us, this is where we find our sense of belonging. It is open to everyone to join the clubs and participate in the events like Orchid Show, Bon Dance, Taiko Performances, Meditation Class, etc.
The Bon Dance: Rhythm, Roots, and Real Connection
Summer on the Big Island means Bon dance season. This year, there are 26 Bon dances scheduled across the island. That’s a testament to how vibrant and interconnected our communities are. For our family, Bon dance is a highlight every year. It is ironic that I never participated in Bon Dance while I lived in Japan. Sadly, the sense of community has lessen around Tokyo. Bon Dance in Japan was not inviting as it is here. My wife, Kumi, and I have helped organize the Daifukuji’s Bon Dance festival for the last three years. Even after graduating high school, my eldest comes home to join the group whenever she can. It’s a tradition, but it’s also a reunion. It’s laughter, teamwork, and sometimes a few nerves before going on stage. We share all of it together.
Last summer, Kumi and I took 12 young taiko players from our group to Japan. Traveling with teenagers is never easy, especially through airports and train stations, but it was unforgettable. These trips are about more than music or sightseeing. They build trust, teach teamwork, and create memories that last for l ife.
More Than Temples: Many Paths to Community
What I’ve described is just my own experience at Daifukuji. There are so many ways people on the Big Island find belonging. Hawaii is filled with communities built around sports, schools, faith, the arts, volunteer work, and more. Whether it’s a paddling club, a local church, a PTA, or a volunteer cleanup group, there are endless opportunities to find connection. Each one becomes a circle of support and trust. These are places where you are seen, valued, and welcomed.
Finding Community in an Island Setting
Because Hawaii is so isolated, we need to look after each other more than most. One thing that makes our island life unique is the mix of full-time residents and second-home owners. In some neighborhoods, you might not find that same daily sense of community you’d expect on the mainland, simply because many neighbors come and go. There are neighborhoods here with a great sense of community, but sometimes, you need to venture out a bit to find your own circle.
On this small island, we are all in the same boat, surrounded by the Pacific. Community may look a little different here, but the opportunities to connect are everywhere if you’re willing to reach out. Whether it’s through a temple, a sport, a school, or a volunteer project, you can find your own place to belong.
It Takes a Village
When people say it takes a village to raise a child, I think about all the hands and hearts that have shaped my daughters’ lives. My daughters lost mother when they were 1 and 8 years old. The Daifukuji temple members took in our daughters and supported us emotionally. We learned so much from temple elderly who are not afraid to scorn kids when the actions are not appropriate. That is trust. My family are very appreciative of the support many have given to us.
Taiko, temple events, and simple everyday kindness have all played a part. In a world that sometimes feels more disconnected than ever, Hawaii reminds us how important it is to look out for each other. That sense of mutual support, of being woven into something larger than yourself, is a gift. I believe it’s part of why people here live longer, happier lives.
The Open Secret of Hawaii’s Longevity
At Daifukuji and across the Big Island, you’ll find people from every background. Japanese, Hawaiian, Filipino, mainland transplants, and more come together not because they have to, but because it makes life richer. Hawaii may be geographically isolated, but our spirit is anything but. Here, community is about giving back as much as it is about receiving. You show up, you participate, you support others, and in doing so, you find your own sense of place.
Let’s Be Kind, With Aloha
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time at Daifukuji and in the broader Big Island community, it’s this. The greatest luxury isn’t the ocean view or the newest home. It’s belonging. It’s knowing you’re part of something bigger. Here, culture and connection are carried forward and lived every day with aloha.
Because we are all here together, on this island in the middle of the Pacific, let’s remember to look after each other. Let’s be kind, with aloha.
If you want to experience what real community feels like, come join us at a Bon dance or listen for the taiko drums on a warm Saturday night. I’d love to show you what makes Big Island living truly special.