Moai Social Groups
Blue Zones Project® and Beach Cities Health District encourage social connection. A Moai® (pronounced “Mo-Eye”) is a group of people meeting for a common purpose and can include activities like walking, purpose discussions and potluck meals. The world’s longest-lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviors, including Okinawans, who created “Moais”–groups of five friends that committed to each other for life. Research from the Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. So, the social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors. Based on this tradition, Moai groups are considered just as important to a person’s health as the benefits of being active, healthy eating, and finding a purpose.
View the Virtual Moai Social Events Playlist
Increase your well-being with these recorded presentations to learn about various topics.
Moai Social Events
Get to know your neighbors and neighborhoods
Join us at an upcoming Moai Social Event where you can connect with your community and try out new activities. These events are inspired by our Blue Zones Project® Moais (pronounced “Mo-eye”), social groups that can become a lifelong support network, and they begin with people coming together who share a common purpose or healthy hobby.
In 2023, the Gallup Well-Being Index results showed nearly 1 in 5 Beach Cities residents reported having little or no connection to other people. Join us as we partner with local organizations to promote events that help us explore something new and connect with others in the community.
Moai Social Event: Keep the Esplanade Beautiful Saturday Sweep
Saturday, December 6
9 – 11 a.m.
Esplanade at Avenue I, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Beach Cities Health District, in collaboration with Keep the Esplanade Beautiful, invites you to join us in helping preserve our beautiful South Bay Coast while connecting with your friendly neighborhood community.
- What to Bring: Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), water and snacks if you’d like.
- Suggested Attire: Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty, along with sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
- Provided for You: Keep the Esplanade Beautiful will supply trash grabbers, bags and gloves for all participants.
About Keep the Esplanade Beautiful: Established in 2013, Keep the Esplanade Beautiful is committed to maintaining the beautiful quality of life we share in the South Bay beach communities. We educate and advocate on behalf of our Esplanade by hosting monthly 1st Saturday trash sweeps so that it remains clean, community-oriented and well cared for.
Join a Moai
Start a Moai
Types of Moais
Walking Moai
Walking Moais meet once or twice a week and walk together for at least 30 minutes. In the past year, nearly 140 local Walking Moai groups have brought together more than 1,750 people in the Beach Cities, turning strangers into friends.
Potluck Moai
Potluck Moais meet once a month and explore new recipes with a “Plant Slant,” dishes focused on vegetables, fruits and plant-based proteins. Vegans, vegetarians, or those simply looking to eat healthier are all welcome.
Purpose Moai
Purpose Moais meet once a week for 10 weeks to talk about how each member can live their purpose in everyday life. Discover your life’s purpose surrounded by a supportive, encouraging group.
Click here to download flyer.
| Activity | Date | Time | Meeting Location | Moai Host/Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness Walking Group Take a mindful walk through nature | Mondays | 10:15 a.m. | Hopkins Wilderness Park (1102 Camino Real) | Staff |
| Restaurant Dining Moai Enjoy a meal at a Blue Zones Project Approved restaurant | 2nd Weds of the month | 12:30 p.m. | Location changes every month | Teri C. |
| Book Club Moai Enjoy reading and group discussion | 3rd Tues of the month | 7 p.m. | Redondo Beach: virtual option available | Kathy L. |
| Walking Moai “OceanWalkers” – Our walk is round trip from the Esplanade Bluff Garden to Miramar Park | Mon – Thurs | 4 p.m. | Esplanade Bluff Garden | Joan E. |
| Walking Moai “Morning Walkers” – discover the Redondo Beach Esplanade and end at the Redondo Farmer’s Market | Every Tues & Thurs | 8 a.m. | Tues: Hermosa Beach Thurs: Redondo Beach | Teri C. |
| Walking Moai “Birney Steppers” – stroll Pier Avenue and the Hermosa Beach Strand | Every Mon & Thurs | 6:30 p.m. | Mon: Redondo Beach Thurs: Hermosa Beach | Teri C. |
| Community Veg-Out Potluck Moai Share homemade vegetarian recipes and participate in vegetarian potlucks | Mondays | 5:30 p.m. | Redondo Beach | Mary Jane W. |
| Core Moai Workout your core with the fitness moai | Every Mon, Weds & Fri | 6:30 a.m. | Zoom | Mary G. |
| Walking Moai One hour walk in Manhattan Beach or North Redondo | Every Thurs | 3 p.m. | Location changes every week | Howard D. |
| Kindness Moai Create a kinder and healthier world for all through sharing self-reflections and stories of kindness | Monthly | 6 p.m. | Location Changes | Lindsay B. |
Why I Joined a Moai
“I joined a Walking Moai in April of 2011 and have been walking ever since. I’m sure my health has improved as a result of walking at least sixteen miles per week. However, what has been even more important is the fact that my wife and I have met a group of great people who also walk with our Moai, the Ocean Walkers. We not only walk together, but we also enjoy each other’s company socially. When I walk with our partners in the Moai, it’s so much more interesting to find out what our friends did on the weekend or what movies they saw, or to meet their sons or daughters who occasionally join us.” – Irwin Brand, Walking Moai participant
Copyright © 2021 Blue Zones, LLC and Sharecare, Inc. All rights reserved.
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