Even though it’s critical for your assets, family and legacy, estate planning tends to fall to the bottom of people’s to-do lists. What new parent wants to draft a will while finalizing a nursery paint color? Who wants to talk extensively about life after they’re gone?
Estate planning may not be popular, but it is an essential process to ensure your life’s work is appropriately taken care of after you pass. A strong estate plan benefits everyone. Do you own any assets? Do you have specific wishes for your belongings/assets? Do you have family, loved ones, pets, etc., who you want to see taken care of?
Just a little walking can do wonders for your body – Learn mor
Off the Hawaii Air National Guard Facebook page
Members of the 154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron recently tested out a new STARCART system to rapidly refuel the Hawaiian Raptors at Northwest Airfield, Guam.
The experimental system was used to support Architecture Demonstration and Evaluation 5.2 during Pacific Iron 2021. ADE 5.2 is part of the fifth in a series of events conducted by the Department of the Air Force Chief Architect’s Office.
Pacific Iron 2021 is a Pacific Air Forces dynamic force employment operation to project forces into the USINDOPACOM’s area of responsibility in support of the 2018 National Defense Strategy which called on the military to be a more lethal, adaptive, and resilient force.
The STARCART is a new refueling system that provides the capability for agile combat employment. The R-11, the primary mobile refueling vehicle for the Air Force, takes up an entire HC-130J and holds up to 6,000 gallons of fuel. The STARCART doesn’t require as many pallet positions on an aircraft and can be paired with fuel bladders that range in volume from 10,000 to 210,000 gallons.
From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website
VA is now processing disability claims for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas – if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying period of military service.
This will expand benefits for Veterans who served in:
Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, and Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War, from September 19, 2001, to the present,
or
The Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, to the present
If you have a pending claim for one or more of these conditions, you don’t need to do anything. We’ll send you a decision notice when we complete our review.
For more information on the new presumptive conditions, visit our website at Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures – Public Health (va.gov).
To apply for benefits, Veterans and survivors may visit VA.gov or call toll-free at 800-827-1000.
Maui Quizon emailed requesting we post this Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) newsletter.
Maui continues to serve as the president of the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association (HNGEA)
From the Everyday Health website
Evidence about alcohol’s effects on heart health — even among the general population — has been mixed. But new research indicates that drinking in moderation may not only be acceptable, but could have a slightly protective effect for people living with heart disease, according to a study published in BMC Medicine in July 2021.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Hawai‘i held their annual conference on Monday, August 2, 2021. The conference was held at the Oahu Veterans Center with many senior military leaders attending.
In this photograph (L-R):
Brig. Gen. (Ret) Keith Tamashiro. His last assignment was a the Commander, Land Component Command, Joint Force Headquarters, Hawai‘i National Guard.
Maj. Gen.(Ret) Robert Lee, the former Adjutant General. After his retirement, he became the ESGR State Chair.
Brig. Gen, Timothy Connolly, Commander, 9th Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve.
Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi, Commander, Hawai‘i Army National Guard
Brig. Gen. Joseph Harris II, Commander Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
Special thanks to Brig. Gen. Tamashiro for sharing this photograph and comments.
ESGR, a Department of Defense office, is comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff. We will develop and promote employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members.
ESGR informs and educates service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). ESGR does not have statutory authority to enforce, but serves as a neutral, free resource to employers and service members. ESGR’s trained ombudsmen provide mediation of issues relating to compliance with USERRA.
Trust funds are not just for the ultra rich. These sophisticated estate-planning tools can make just as much sense for middle-class Americans who own a home and have a net worth of at least $100,000. Although they can be set up differently, all trusts are either revocable or irrevocable. “A revocable trust is like the minivan of estate planning,” says Steve Parrish, co-director of the Center for Retirement Income at the American College of Financial Services. “They are multipurpose and used more by the upper-middle class. An irrevocable trust is like a high-performance sports car. They can be more expensive but also more customizable to a specific need.”
The Kūkā‘ilimoku is the official e-newsletter of the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard. The first issue came in September 1957 and continues as an e-newsletter today.
Today we feature the August 1962 Kūkā‘ilimoku issue. This issue includes the following stories:
* 154th fighter Group going to Earl Ricks competition
* Promotions: including Howard Hironaka, Anatalio Cabrido, Hiram Pang
Dark chocolate has heart-healthy flavonoids and may improve blood vessel flow. More healthy things to love about this sweet treat – Continue reading
Richard Sung Wah Young, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 20, 2021. He was a loving husband, wonderful father, grand- father, brother, and loyal friend.
Colonel (ret) Richard Young, a civil engineer, was the Facilities Management Officer for the Hawaii Army National Guard.
He also commanded the 103rd Troop Command and later became the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Hawaii National Guard. He retired with more than 28 years of distinguished, dedicated service.
After retiring from the military, Richard went on to work at Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. as a contractor, and Nan, Inc., as a project manager.
Richard loved cooking and enjoyed sharing his culinary feasts with family and friends. He was an avid golfer. Strumming his ukulele gave him hours of enjoyment. He loved catching waves on his paddleboard and just being with nature. We will all miss his kind and gentle ways.
He is survived by his wife Candace; his sons Richardson, Janson (Nikki); daughter Lana (Chris) Hodges; grandson Braden; sisters Raelene Chock and Geriann Hong.
Private services were held.
There was a retirement luncheon for George Kaneshiro on June 1, 1997. George served his entire career in the Hawaii Air National Guard. He served in avionics. The celebration was held in the 154th Wing’s dining facility.
In the photograph are (L-R): Rolland Tang, Alwyn Yoshimura, Eleanor Zoller, George and Shirley Kaneshiro.
The death of a spouse is one of the most difficult things imaginable. Besides the emotional toll, surviving spouses typically confront financial issues, which often trigger tax-related questions and consequences. Some of them are fairly straightforward, while others can be tricky. That’s why Letha McDowell, president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, advises surviving spouses not to make major financial changes immediately.
Instead, she tells them to reassess their finances from a tax perspective.
The loss of income after a spouse dies certainly has tax implications. For instance, if a drop in income means the surviving spouse needs to tap into a retirement account, McDowell points out that “the taxes may be less than initially anticipated because, if you have lower income, you may be in a lower bracket.” Less income could also mean that the surviving spouse now qualifies for certain tax deductions or credits that have income caps or phase-out rules. Local jurisdictions often have income-based property tax breaks that may suddenly become available, too.
Learn more
From the Lonely Planet website
Despite the constant news of airport nightmares, I recently joined the masses and boarded my first flight in 16 months, traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport to El Paso International. Without any direct flight options, I gave myself ample time to transfer at what I knew was the nation’s busiest airport—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. During the outbound flight, I was able to navigate away from the (shockingly large) crowds for a breather—but the return flight was a different story. Though my transfer was at the prime dinner time of 7 pm, the only grab-and-go vendor open in the wing was McDonald’s—with a line snaking well into the terminal. I dodged into the only gift shop still open, just in time to grab a soda and bag of crackers before they closed for the night. Sure enough, days later, a story came out in the local paper that one-third of ATL’s restaurants remained shut down.
If you haven’t flown in a while and are getting ready to travel again, here’s what you need to know before you go.
Note: With the Delta variant quickly spreading in the US, always check the latest information before making travel decisions.
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