Mayor Arakawa Invites Public on Walk During Workplace Wellness Week

Mayor Arakawa proclaims Workplace Wellness Week April 3-9 at the Maui Tropical Plantation. Photo courtesy of the County of Maui.

By Sonia Isotov

On Monday, Mayor Alan Arakawa signed a proclamation designating April 3-9 as Workplace Wellness Week in Maui County. Leading by example, the Mayor is encouraging the public to come out and walk with him April 6 to celebrate National Start! Walking Day.

“As poor diet and lack of exercise are responsible for at least 25% of healthcare costs incurred by working adults, workplace wellness programs are critical to improving employee health, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, lowering health care costs, protecting our most important resource — our employees,” said Mayor Arakawa, in a written statement.

As part of the Mayor’s push toward better health for Maui County, he is inviting all county personnel and the general public to join him on a 30-minute walk thru Wailuku to celebrate American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day on April 6. Walkers should wear sneakers and meet the Mayor at noon on the front lawn of Kalana O Maui building at 200 S. High St. in Wailuku.

“As the Mayor of Maui County, I encourage and challenge employers throughout our islands to consider hosting activities and events that address mental fitness and resilience, healthy eating, physical activity and/or tobacco-free living,” continued Arakawa in his written statement saying, “Such activities and events don’t have to cost much. As an example, programs, such as the County’s ‘A Healthier and Lighter Maui County’ health and wellness program, are of no cost to the County, yet are fun and encourages teamwork.”

To get everyone warmed up for the Mayor’s Walk on April 6, the Mayor’s Managing Director Keith Regan will be leading a short 30-minute walk every Wednesday at noon thru March 30 at the County Building in Wailuku. The public and county personnel are invited.

Interesting parties can contact the Mayor’s Special Projects Coordinator Lynn Araki-Regan at 280-1299 for more information.