Retirees return to workforce

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Marian and Jim Grey thought they were retiring to Hawai'i when they moved to the Islands in 1996.

Roy Kitagawa, left, and George Motoyama now work at Communications Consulting Services Inc., after retiring from the phone company. Kitagawa is general manager and Motoyama handles safety and security. Many retirees work for the company. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

The lease rent for their townhouse in Hawai'i Kai, which they had bought as an investment in 1987, had rocketed from $13 a month to $541. Add to that their mortgage, property tax and ordinary living expenses.

It turned out their Social Security checks just weren't enough.

Marian took a job hawking samples at Costco in Hawai'i Kai; Jim started working at City Mill in Hawai'i Kai.

"We couldn't quite make ends meet," said Marian, 70, who quit Costco after seven years to work full-time for Sen. Sam Slom. "That (lease rent increase) really (put) a chink in our armor. That sent me out looking for a job."

More and more, retirees are re-entering the workforce, many to pay the bills their retirement income can't. Others return to work just to keep active.

Last year there were more people 55 and older in the workforce than at any time since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began keeping track more than five decades ago.

In Hawai'i, about 13.5 percent of residents 65 and older — or roughly 21,800 people — were employed in 2000, according to the U.S. Census.

Money may be the main driving factor.

Retired workers in Hawai'i received an average of $912 in Social Security a month. And "$912 is not enough to live on in Hawai'i," said Barbara Kim Stanton, AARP state director. "Hawai'i is always ranked in the Top 5 states as far as cost of living. ... The big unknown for seniors is whether they will have enough money throughout their lifetime. The big worry is that the money will run out before they do."

A recent AARP study found eight of 10 baby boomers plan to hold full- or part-time jobs after their retirement age. Though some said they wanted to keep active, many pointed to money as the main reason to work. The survey also found boomers either need or want the extra income of health benefits.

Still there are other reasons besides money for seniors to return to work.

Some want to maintain a certain lifestyle or are still struggling with debt. Some want to stay mentally alert or keep active. Some want to start a new career or open their own business. And others just can't stop working.

With the state boasting the lowest unemployment rates in the country, employers can actually benefit from hiring retirees, who are often highly skilled and armed with years of experience, possibly saving the company on training costs.

"Retirees or those at retirement age are really desirable employees because they have a lot of experience and great judgment that they can offer to any employer," Stanton said. "And they make terrific mentors. I think a real akamai employer will look for ways to make sure their baby boomer group continue to be part of their work force."

When Wanda Beppu retired from Verizon Hawai'i three years ago, she didn't expect to stop working altogether. She enjoyed it too much.

So she quickly took a project manager position at CCSI Solutions downtown — doing what she had done for years in her previous job.

What has enhanced her experience has been the large number of retirees working at Communications Consulting Services Inc. About half of her co-workers are retired, she said.

"I enjoy it thoroughly," said Beppu, 57, mother of three and grandmother of two. "It's more to keep my mind alert and young. I'm always hungry to learn new things. That's why I find the technology world so exciting. ... It keeps me younger."

Her husband, Leonard, retired last year from Tesoro Hawaii Corp. He opted to stay at home and fix up their Nu'uanu house.

"He's not interested in going back to work," Beppu said. "He's enjoying peace of mind."

Bryan Cannon, left, and Gerald Miyashiro load a spool of cable in the Communications Consulting Services Inc. warehouse in Kalihi. Miyashiro started working anew after retiring from the phone company. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I was getting kind of forgetful; I wasn't as alert," said Takushi, who retired from the Hawai'i Paroling Authority as a clerk after 26 years. "I thought I'd better keep myself busy."

When Sam's Club opened in the Pearl Highlands Shopping Center in 1993, Takushi applied for a part-time job as a door greeter. Twelve years later, she still works about 20 hours a week at Sam's Club. And she loves it.

"I love meeting the people," Takushi said. "The workers show me a lot of respect. They call me 'grandma.' I enjoy that."

Takushi isn't working for the extra money. Her husband, Norman, 67, still works as an avionics technician with Hawaiian Airlines. And they both collect Social Security.

"I really enjoy my work," Takushi said. "It's so pleasant to work there. ... So it's not the money. It just keeps me busy."

Sometimes retirees return to work because of specific projects they want to work on, ones they may not have been able to do while employed full-time.

Donald Enoki, 67, retired with the state Department of Education after 40 years but went back to work for the department six months later.

The former classroom teacher and administrator wanted to help train and recruit public school teachers, especially in light of a possible shortage in the next few years.

"It's certainly not for an economic purpose, but more to see if I could assist the department, especially now," said Enoki, who works in the department's Office of Human Resources with other DOE retirees. "Many of us are here for the purpose of helping and, hopefully, training our future teachers. We're not here for the money. We're here to assist in any way we can."

In addition to working part-time for the DOE, Enoki also teaches aikido three times a week. He's practiced the martial art for 34 years.

"I couldn't just sit at home," said Enoki, who opened his own dojo, Noelani Ki Aikido, three years ago. "I could never see myself doing nothing. ... This (job) definitely keeps me young. Like they say, if you don't use it, you lose it."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at 535-8103 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.