About
Our Story
Working On Kupuna Things
Since 2016
Did you know that Once Kupuna leave their jobs and work place, lose their life’s mate and Ohana they may become bored, inactive, lonely and isolated, paying scant attention to health and well being. The result can be depression, unattended health issues and shortened lives.
In Australia in 1997, a conference to address the health issues of older men culminated in the founding of the first Men’s Shed. There are now more than 1000 Sheds in Australia and some 2000 Sheds worldwide.
Sheds create a space where seniors can pursue meaningful, creative interests and can socialize with other seniors. They come to see what it’s all about and stay because it’s fun. They get involved in an intriguing activity, find seniors they can talk story with, or just like hanging out with others.
Sheds have helped thousands of retired and seniors share their skills, laughter and efforts on individual and group projects. Instead of living lonely, isolated, sedentary homebound lives, these Kupuna create a welcoming and productive club to bond with one another. They often benefit the community by constructing neighborhood projects. And by the way, the spoused of these retired Kupuna often become the strongest advocates of Sheds.
Ours is the first Shed in the U.S. and the first in Hawaii, and it’s just the beginning! We plan to help others start new Sheds in other communities. We’ve already helped organize the U.S. Shed Association and are receiving inquiries from all over the U.S. from seniors interested in starting their own shed. It’s an exciting time, and a fulfilling project!
Our Vision
The premier organization for Kupuna.
Our Mission
Provide an environment for Kupuna to socialize & improve their health and wellbeing.
Our Primary Focus
Canoes
We have a group that restores antique Hawaiian canoes. They take old KOA canoes that are suffering from age and restore them into beautiful display canoes that are shown in many museums. This group is associated with Friends of Hokulea’s & Hawai’loa. FHH-Hawaii.org Learn More
Woodworking
Many members come to the shed to build something out of wood. We have a well-equipped wood shop with many tools available for use by our members. We have offered several training courses in the shed for those who would like to learn a new skill. “Turn a spindle on the Lathe”, Make a box using the table saw, and many informal “this is how it can be done” member-to-member trainings.
Bicycles
We have a group that reconditions bicycles. We get donations of abandoned bikes from condos and apartments, and some of these are fixed up and given to the needy or homeless for their transportation needs. The rest are sold to provide income for expenses to run the shed.
Multiple public health studies have shown that Shed participants around the world live longer, healthier and happier lives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Shed?
It’s a community workshop primarily for kupuna. Building things, repairing things and tinkering are part of a kupuna’s DNA. The traditional garage shed is becoming a thing of the past. Kupuna used to get together at the local coffee shop or corner garage, but they are disappearing. That is why the notion of Sheds was born. It all started in Australia in 2006 and has now spread around the world. Australia has more than 1,000 Sheds and three Sheds a week are opening in England. The Honolulu Kupuna Shed Association started in early 2016. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We need members and sponsors. Come join us and help build one of the first Sheds in America. See our location on the map on our home page.
Who?
Why?
A Shed is a place where a kupuna can work “Shoulder to Shoulder” with other kupuna, working on things. Sheds have a proven record of helping kupuna physical and mental health. Here is a note to spouses. “Is your spouse at loose ends, underfoot, not socializing and spending too much time watching TV?” Bring them to the Shed where you both will be welcomed by a friendly group of kupuna with common interests.
Where?
What Else?
If you would like to learn a little more about Sheds, check this YouTube video. It’s about 3 minutes long and it’s a view of a shed in action. Our motto is “We don’t talk face to face, we talk shoulder to shoulder”. It is often this simple insight that resonates with people new to the concept of a shed.