Participants in the Blue Zones Project in Albert Lea walking moai kickoff walk down Broadway on one of two routes on Saturday. One group walked about one mile around the downtown area, while a second group walked around Fountain Lake. A moai is a term that originated in Okinawa, Japan, where children are put into small groups with other children when they are young. The children stay with the other members of their group throughout their lives and provide support through life’s joys and challenges. Organizers hope the Albert Lea moais will also help build relationships. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Participants in the Blue Zones Project walking moai kickoff complete the one-mile course back to Fountain Lake Park on Saturday. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Ellen Kehr, organization lead with the Blue Zones Project in Albert Lea, speaks Saturday during the kickoff for the summer walking moais. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune