Hawaii Book & Music Festival explores how to live well

We continue to seek health, prosperity and freedom from suffering for ourselves, our loved ones and the world around us. How can we overcome the myriad obstacles to achieving sustainable health through balance? Are you ready for another boost of inspiration? This year, for the first time, the Hawaii Book & Music Festival will expand the “Wellness in Hawaii” track to two full days. Prominent authors, athletes, community leaders, mediators, politicians, health providers, academicians and insurers will offer insights and guidance during 13 fascinating panels.

MAY 5

10 a.m. — “Homelessness as a Health Problem”: It is by no means simply the result of poverty, but also related to drug abuse and mental illness. What initiatives are in motion to solve this vexing social issue? If homelessness was reduced, in addition to healing the human condition, how would it enhance the economy?

11 a.m. — “The Opioid Crisis”: Residents of the islands suffer from a worsening epidemic of prescription drug abuse and opiate overdose. It is ruining lives, destroying families and tearing at the fabric of our island community. Learn about new legislation to address opioid abuse, and fresh initiatives launched by the medical community.

Noon — “Anxiety, Depression, Teenage Suicide”: The Information Age and embedded social networks bring us together but also alienate our youth and too often result in suicide. How can we identify early warning signs, remove triggers and intervene before it is too late?

1 p.m. — “Impact of Climate Change on Health”: The oceans are full of plastic and heavy metals. Hawaii is experiencing floods, coastal erosion, demise of reef life and worsening health of our fisheries. But how is climate change affecting the life and health of the people of Hawaii?

2 p.m. — “Blue Zones Hawaii”: Learn of a community program introduced by Hawaii Medical Service Association, based on longevity factors in selected communities around the world, identified by National Geographic and popularized by Dan Buettner in his New York Times best-selling book, “The Blue Zones; Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who Live Longest.”

3 p.m. — “Healing in Paradise, A New Model for Health and Wellness Tourism”: Now approaching 10 million annually, it is essential that visitors have kokua for the people of Hawaii and our environment. Learn how wellness tourism can be modeled to reduce homelessness and health disparities.

4 p.m. — “Obamacare, Next?”: While it has not been repealed or replaced, it has been weakened by the current presidential administration. How is Hawaii affected, and how might we protect access to quality health care locally?

MAY 6

10 a.m. — “Breast Cancer, New Approaches”: Learn how novel breakthroughs are revolutionizing cancer treatment toward a more individualized approach to care. Will new treatments be covered by insurance?

11 a.m. — “Regenerative Medicine”: Learn about an emerging field focused on treatments that regenerate tissues damaged by injury or worn by age. Will it be possible to reduce the need for surgery?

Noon — “Meditation Is Not What You Think. Why Mindfulness Is Good for Health”: Jon Kabat-Zinn is a nationally renowned researcher who has brought mindfulness into the practice of medicine and psychology. He shows in an enjoyable, practical way how we can optimize well-being through mindfulness.

1 p.m. — “Dying Well”: What does “dying well” mean to each of us, and how is it possible to feel safe as we look toward the inevitable? Can we prepare for the inevitable while minimizing the experience of pain, fear and suffering to enable a conscious death? Understand the role of palliative care and hospice and a new state law for facilitated death.

2 p.m. — “Dementia”: As life expectancy increases, so too does the rate of dementia. The progressive loss of memory and brain function severely affects the lives of patients and loved ones. How can dementia be prevented, diagnosed and treated?

3 p.m. — “Integrative Medicine in the Obamacare Era”: Whether managing obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease or cancer, learn how a team-based approach to health care achieves better results. How does a dedicated group of providers work to bring together the best of modern medicine and traditional healing arts with cultural sensitivity and a whole- patient emphasis in the era of Obamacare?

The Hawaii Book and Music Festival draws as many as 30,000 participants each year. Check out the Living Well in Hawaii track as an opportunity for healing in paradise.

Ira Zunin is a practicing physician and medical director of Manakai o Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. His column normally appears on the first Saturday of every month. Reach him at info@manakaiomalama.com.