Teach Kupuna New Technology Skills

The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, July 6th as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.

By: Everett Oshiro & Isabella Poponi

Isabella Poponi

We all have something we just don’t get. Maybe it’s car maintenance or writing a decent

essay. Whatever it is, it often becomes an unnecessary source of shame. For many senior

citizens, that “thing” is technology. While this might seem like a harmless or inevitable

generational gap, the reality is more serious: Our kupuna are falling behind because they don’t

have the support they need to keep up in an increasingly digital world.

Technology is woven into almost every part of our lives — from how we communicate to

how we shop, work and access essential services like telehealth and online banking. Yet, many

kupuna are being left behind, not because they cannot learn the skills but because they lack

support and encouragement. In fact, 41% of seniors report not using the internet at all, and 23%

do not use cell phones. Without these tools, staying connected with loved ones becomes

increasingly challenging.

One student at our school shared how their grandmother stays at a senior plaza for short

periods, where she can talk with her friends every day. But when she returns home, her

communication with others fades. Neither she nor her friends can use FaceTime or easily

communicate over messaging apps, leaving them isolated.

On the surface, this might seem like a simple problem of the elderly struggling with

modern technologies. But if you look closer, it reflects a broader breakdown in personal

relationships and intergenerational support. In today’s increasingly individualistic culture, it’s

becoming increasingly rare to see family members or neighbors offering help to one another.

And when help is provided, it often comes in the form of doing something for kupuna instead of

teaching them how to do it themselves, perhaps out of the belief that it would take too long. That

disconnect becomes self-reinforcing. When kupuna don’t understand how to use technology,

they’re not just missing out on convenience but are cut off from the family group chats, sharing

memories and photos, and daily moments of connection that strengthen relationships.

To make matters worse, harmful stereotypes often discourage kupuna from even trying.

The idea that technology is too complicated or that it’s too late to learn can make them feel like a

burden. As a result, many don’t seek help because they’ve convinced themselves they can’t.

They may fear judgment or being brushed off. The truth is, most kupuna are perfectly capable of

learning new skills when given the time and encouragement.

But change is possible. Programs like Tech Savvy Teens, created by local students who

volunteer their time and resources to help Hawaii’s seniors with technology, show that when

communities step in, kupuna can quickly acquire the skills they need and build stronger

intergenerational bonds. There are also broader efforts underway to support seniors. A Senate

resolution passed in 2021 directed the Executive Office on Aging to form a task force and plan

for outreach to kupuna to remediate the lack of digital literacy.

These formal initiatives are important, but each of us can make a difference simply by

helping the kupuna in our lives, whether it’s our parents, grandparents or neighbors. We can

actively reject stereotypes that seniors can’t learn technology and instead offer patient support.

We’ve all experienced the frustration of not knowing how to do something — and being too

afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, what we need most is someone noticing and stepping in to

help.

Technology is something everyone can learn at any age. But ultimately, it’s not just about

teaching kupuna how to use a smartphone or computer but about showing them they are valued

and worth investing time in.

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