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
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.
How many times have you picked up your phone today? If you’re like most people, the answer is
roughly 96 times, or once every 10 minutes. For teenagers, the numbers are even more alarming.
Teens spend over seven hours on their phone per day on average, according to Common Sense
Media.
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.
In an age of unprecedented access to technology and resources, we like to believe that support is just a click or call away. Countless hotline numbers, shelters, community centers, and mental health or emergency services help those who have fallen victim to the devastating experience of human trafficking. These resources are vital lifelines for many, pulling people from the grasp of a horrible situation. But the truth is, the most impactful support doesn’t come from institutions. Instead, it comes from the people closest to us — our friends, family and loved ones.
For many, the aloha spirit has been reduced to a brand. It’s something to be sold and
marketed to visitors who want to “live aloha” for a week before flying home. Others say
that modern distractions have left people too exhausted to show up for one another like
they used to. Generosity becomes difficult when you’re working long hours and barely
scraping by. With Hawaii’s high cost of living, continued housing crisis, and economic
uncertainty, people are stretched thin — and when your plate is already full, there’s little
room to consider the needs of others.