9 ways to live in the zone

Dan Buettner, founder and chief executive officer of Blue Zones LLC, found communities scattered around the globe, from Sardinia to Okinawa, different in many ways. Longevity of their people, however, was the common link.

There were, he observed, nine basic habits the communities shared — and if they could be exported to other places, according to the theory, those communities could improve their collective health as well. The nine “secrets” of long life:

>> Move naturally — habitual activity such as gardening and cycling.

>> Know your purpose.

>> Kick back and de-stress.

>> Eat less.

>> Eat less meat and more legumes for protein.

>> Drink in moderation.

>> Have faith — the sense of belonging matters, not the denomination.

>> Put families first; keep aging elders nearby.

>> Stay social.

“It’s about knowing their purpose and living it out, rather than just careening through life just working, or making perceived ends meet,” Buettner said.

Communities around the nation have been approved by the Blue Zones Project to follow this model. The three from Hawaii — Koolaupoko (Windward Oahu), East Hawaii and North Hawaii — are just joining the roster.

Nationally the Blue Zones Project is an initiative implemented by Healthways Inc., a company that specializes in wellness support for businesses through offering health plans and other programs.

In Hawaii, the effort also is being underwritten by Hawaii Medical Services Association (HMSA).

The Hawaii Blue Zone communities were selected more than a year ago based on the community size and “willing leadership” to do the planning and follow-through, said Elisa Yadao, HMSA senior vice president for consumer experience.

Yadao said there’s been no firm allotment for how much HMSA will spend on this, though after the first quarter of next year, there is the intent to find supplemental funders — and for the communities to find ways of sustaining the improvements on their own.

“We view this as an investment in improving the health and well-being of Hawaii, community by community,” she said, adding that making people healthier pays off in lower costs for everyone.