AARP gathering heads to Las Vegas

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Travel Writer

Maya Angelou may not be the first person who springs to mind when planning a Las Vegas trip, but a star turn by one of America's literary icons is set for Oct. 14. at the Sands Expo Center on the Strip.

Maya Angelou will open the "Life@50+" conference Oct. 14. AARP

"We want to create an experience that really reflects the personality of the AARP," said Alicia Maluafiti, AARP Hawai'i spokeswoman. "We want to help our members (that's around 140,000 in Hawai'i) make good choices in their lives, feel they have a voice in the legislature and on Capitol Hill and most of all enjoy life after 50."

The conference at Hawai'i's favorite kama'aina destination promises the serious ("AARP's Voices of Civil Rights," with actor Danny Glover), the practical ("Making the Most of Your Money" by personal finance expert Jane Bryant Quinn), and the fun ("Celebration of Cinema" with Roger Ebert) and gets the attention of an age group looking to escape a relentless pop and reality-infused culture.

Mae and Gil Mendelson of Kailua have long been members of AARP, but this will their first trip to the convention. The big attraction? "Civil rights issues," said Mae Mendelson.

"I was in high school and college when the civil rights movement came to the fore in the 1960s and felt very strongly how necessary it was to integrate the schools," she said. "Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark decision when it came about."

Mendelson, a Japanese-American who was born in a relocation camp in Arizona, taught in Washington, D.C., schools through the turbulence and riots of the 1960s with Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968 focusing the Mendelsons' determination to remain social activists. Coretta Scott King speaking on "50 Years after Brown v. Board of Education," and Glover's talk will be highlights of their trip to the convention.

"From time to time you reflect on important stages in your life," Mendelson said. "(The 1960s) was a defining moment in ours, and we've raised our children with an awareness of our heritage." And, Mendelson added "the time is now to look again at civil rights and question how we're losing them."

"Besides," she said "we're also big fans of James Taylor; we'll have a good time."

This year, AARP will hold its "Life@50+" convention in Hawai'i's favorite vacation destination — Las Vegas. Speakers will include poet Maya Angelou, actor Danny Glover and financial expert Jane Bryant Quinn. AARP

The couple live in Portland, Ore., are both 63, retired and looking for advice on how to stay healthy and financially comfortable "into our 90s," Chan said. "We're healthy right now but have friends already struggling with drug costs. We both retired quite young, so we want to know how to make the most of the years ahead."

Though Maluafiti, 40, will be there in her official role as AARP Hawai'i spokeswoman, she's conscious of being the eldest daughter, anticipating her future role as caregiver. "As one of the boomer generation, I want to understand the issues that my parents (and eventually, myself) will face as we grow older," Maluafiti said.

"The convention is a great opportunity for us to find out about solvency of social security, health issues, long-term living arrangements, financial security. This is an intergenerational event. We can learn together and enjoy all the fun stuff as well."

And there's plenty of enjoyment on offer in the Sands Expo exhibit hall, from lifestyle sessions with yoga and fitness experts to health and consumer advice to gardening and home decorating, features movies, travel and financial services. Actress Cybill Shepherd chairs the AARP council, which includes individuals deemed significant to the boomer generation.

"Our agenda advocates for healthy, joyous independent living for those 50 and over," said AARP president Marie Smith, a Maui resident who spoke to us by phone from Washington, D.C. "AARP is the lead agency in representing positive social change for this age group."

So many folks from Hawai'i go to Las Vegas, anyway, Smith said. "Why not come and spend an extra few days at the convention? It's fun, educational, you'll meet people from all over the country and best of all you won't regret it."

Reach Chris Oliver at 535-2411 or coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.