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Hilo Brewfest Returns on July 11, 2026

President Newton Chu Pedals for Polio: A Journey of Service Beyond Our Shores

In true embodiment of "Service Above Self," Rotary Club of Hilo President Newton Chu is taking his commitment to new heights—or rather, new distances. This June, Newton will represent District 5000 and Hawaii at the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, but not before tackling an inspiring challenge: joining over 300 Rotarians from around the world to ride more than 500 kilometers around Taiwan to raise funds for Polio Plus.

"I have learned that International Rotarians are more alike than we are different," Newton shares. "They care about their communities, they care about the world, they care about others." This ride represents more than just a physical challenge—it's a testament to our global Rotary family's shared dedication to eradicating polio worldwide. As our club celebrates its 105th year, Newton's journey reminds us that service knows no borders. Support his efforts and join him in making a difference by donating at https://raise.rotary.org/Newton-Chu/challenge031.

Mahalo and aloha!

Service Above Self—The Kazuo Todd Way

There are people who walk among us who simply make the world better by being in it. Fire Chief Kazuo Todd was one of those people.

As Rotarians, we talk a lot about "Service Above Self." Kazuo didn't talk about it—he just did it. Whether leading our fire department through a crisis or showing up to help with a club project, he was the same person: present, humble, and ready to pitch in.

People who knew him well talk about his "servant leadership" philosophy—the idea that a leader's real job is to take care of the people around them. But even those of us who only knew him a little could feel it. A kind word. A quick smile. The way he never seemed too busy or too important to help.

How many lives did Kazuo touch over his years of service? There's no way to know. The families kept safe. The firefighters he mentored. The neighbors he served—not because it was his job, but because that's just who he was.

We were lucky to call him a fellow Rotarian. We were lucky to see what a life of purpose and genuine aloha looks like up close.

Our club, our community, our island—we're all going to miss him.

Mahalo, Kazuo. You showed us what service really means.

Share Your Memories

Leave a comment with your favorite memory of Kazuo, or share a photo that captures who he was. This past August, our club got together to celebrate his birthday—one of those good days you don't forget. If you have moments like that, please share them. Let's remember him together.

Rotarians Answer the Call: Supporting Our Community's Food Banks

Our community is facing a critical moment.

With federal funding cuts and the ongoing government shutdown, local food banks are serving more people than ever before – numbers that exceed even what we saw during the height of the pandemic. The need has never been greater!

Rotarians are stepping up. The photo below shows cases of food fellow Rotarians dropped off at a recent "Go Cook Um" event – and this doesn't even include the many other programs where our members are contributing! We are incredibly thankful and proud to be part of a community that responds with such generosity.

How You Can Help - Lex Brodies is open and accepting donations as well as many other establishments around the county. Together, we're proving that when government support falters, our community's spirit of aloha rises to meet the challenge.

🎃 Rotary Club of Hilo — Service Above Self (and a Little Spooky Fun!) 👻

At the Rotary Club of Hilo, we take “Service Above Self” to heart — but we also know how to have a great time! Our Halloween meeting was full of laughter, creative costumes, and fellowship that reminds us why we love being Rotarians.

Amid all the spooky fun, we also celebrated something even more meaningful: presenting donation checks to three incredible local nonprofits — Aloha ʻIlio Rescue, YWCA of Hawaiʻi Island, and Friends of the Children’s Justice Center — made possible through the success of our annual Brewfest fundraiser.

From supporting our community to sharing smiles, we’re proud to live the Rotary spirit every day. Mahalo to everyone who makes it happen!

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