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Rotary has the ability to handle large scale relief operations!
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We're glad that so many people and organizations are donating to funds that are helping the People of Pahoa. Here's your chance to donate to a ROTARY fund that will help w-a-a-a-y beyond the immediate needs. Homes have burned, other homes are damaged by earthquakes, and still other homes are buried under lava. Donate now at: rotaryd5000.org. Look for the article about Pahoa with this image and use the DONATE BUTTON. Let's all come together to help Pahoa in a big way.
OUT AND ABOUT IN MAY
May 2 ~ Membership Mixer at Wai'oli Lounge
Potential members met some of our club members.
May 4 ~ Friends' Gala Honors Our Club
In spite of two big earthquakes, past, present and future Presidents of our Club (with our PR person) attend The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center Gala, one of our annual Brewfest beneficiaries.
May 25 ~ President Steve shows off our five District Awards from the Rotary Conference
Two First Places in Youth Services and Public Image and three First Runners-up in Vocational Service, Community Service and Club Foundation Giving!
May 26 ~ We get our "Cowboy" on!
Our members enjoyed an old fashioned country “Hoe Down” at Gay and Chuck Porter’s beautiful Waiki’i Ranch on a partly sunny Saturday. Featuring Bar-B-Que and Irish line dancing, guests were also treated to an up close visit with 14 year old “Winston” their nearly 180 pound boar.
Our Club bands together to help the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset as they take on a Puna Lava Relief Project
President Steve Handy, Kahea Rosehill (Sun Construction), Jim Becker (Rotary Global Grant Specialist) and Cel Ruwethin (Salvation Army) stand up for Ron Cutler (center - Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset). Ron came to visit and tell us of the real situation in Puna. Rotary is on board to help!
Rotary Knows How to Help With Disaster Relief!
Many people may be familiar with Rotary International’s world-wide work helping endangered communities with clean water and educational support for children… among many other effective solutions to the problems of struggling communities. In fact, Rotary International rates 100% for financial accountability and transparency in administering donated funds by Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org)
So it’s no surprise that local Rotary Clubs here in East Hawaii are banding together to raise funds for Puna. The “Rotary Fund for Puna Lava Relief” was started within days of the first eruptions. Housed through the Hawai’i Rotary District’s Foundation, all donations are tax deductible as the foundation is a 501©(3) accredited organization.
Our 6th Annual Hilo Brewfest has added the Rotary Fund for Puna Lava Relief as a beneficiary of our festival. So please, come party with us and help Puna... all in an afternoon’s “work”!
So it’s no surprise that local Rotary Clubs here in East Hawaii are banding together to raise funds for Puna. The “Rotary Fund for Puna Lava Relief” was started within days of the first eruptions. Housed through the Hawai’i Rotary District’s Foundation, all donations are tax deductible as the foundation is a 501©(3) accredited organization.
Our 6th Annual Hilo Brewfest has added the Rotary Fund for Puna Lava Relief as a beneficiary of our festival. So please, come party with us and help Puna... all in an afternoon’s “work”!
Rotary Club of Hilo...
busy during April!
For this month's posting, we'll show a bit about the doings of our club interspersed with ROTARY's international causes.
April 6 - Club Business Visitations
BJ PENN
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DODO MORTUARY
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HILO MEDICAL CENTER
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It's always good to know what our club members' businesses are all about... and it's always fun to meet in a new place! For April, club members could choose from three different businesses to visit... BJ PENN, DODO MORTUARY or HILO MEDICAL CENTER!
ROTARY CAUSE #1 - PROMOTING PEACE
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Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
April 15 - Our Annual Chili Cookoff!
Judging the chili is serious business! Plenty chili and desserts along with wine and beer make for a fun evening!
ROTARY CAUSE #2 - FIGHTING DISEASE
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
ROTARY CAUSE #3 - PROVIDING CLEAN WATER
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We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
April 22 - Tree Planting Continues!
What else could be a perfect project for Earth Day than planting more trees!
ROTARY CAUSE #4 -- SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
April 27 - High School Interact Clubs
Students from both the Waiakea High School and the Laupahoehoe High School Interact Clubs meet up for fun and a chance to get to know one another.
ROTARY CAUSE #5 - SUPPORTING EDUCATION
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
ROTARY CAUSE #6 - GROWING LOCAL ECONOMIES
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
RCOH GOES TO FIJI!
For over 10 years, our club has been helping out in Fiji... with a focus on the Nadi Centre for Special Education. We've helped build a building and over the years supplied school supplies, books and other needed materials for the students. Several years ago when a major hurricane hit Fiji hard, our club, joined by other Rotary clubs, Hawai’i District Rotary and local community members, raised over $80,000 to provide SHELTER BOXES for the Fijian residents who no longer had a roof over their heads. Most recently, a group of six club members and Hawai’i District Governor Nalani Flinn traveled to Fiji to provide a freezer, a gas cook stove, household items and rugs along with story books for the Nadi School. A second school visit to the Lautoka Methodist primary school distributed books to the eager learners!
Imua! Rotary Club of Hilo and Fiji!
NEW MEMBERS IN MARCH
ELLE LEE, Elite Pacific Properties
DEBRA TEICHMAN, Elite Pacific Properties
KEEPING BUSY AND HAVING FUN!
March 2 ~ Dr. Seuss Birthday Reading
“Cat in the Hat” and other great Dr. Seuss books were read to youngsters in school to celebrate reading for his birthday celebration.
March 11 ~ “High Tea” for Women in Rotary
Rotary women from our club and others here in East Hawaii came together to recognize and celebrate women and all they do for Rotary clubs.
March 17 ~ Clean up at “Rotary Park”
Students from the Waiakea HS Interact Club and club members worked at the Kalaniana'ole Park...
raking and picking up litter.
March 18 - Big Island Marathon
Another year and another marathon where our club members and friends helped out at a Relief Station...
followed by a great breakfast!
March 24 ~ Rotary District Training
Incoming club board members, members and new club Rotarians turned out to get great help and ideas at this District Conference tor the Island of Hawai’i.
SAVE THE DATE! ~ SAT ~ JUNE 23
HILO BREWFEST
Beer Tasting! Food Sampling! and Rock n’ Roll!
Tickets will be available on May 4 on our website:
www.hilobrewfest.com
YEAH... TWO NEW MEMBERS
PATTY BRAY ~ HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATION
JD DOMIZIO ~ HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS
POLIO PLUS
Charlene Meyers, Hawai'i's Polio Plus Chair reported that our club has achieved 327% of our stated goal to help support Rotary International’s campaign to end polio. Way to go, members!
February 23 ~ Sharing our Rotary Club Flag
President Steve Handy exchanges Club Flags with Emii Kato of the Rotary Club of Tokyo Roppongi.
February 23
We join forces with the Rotary Club Kihei-Wailea to support a Rotary International Global Grant that will help with Health Camps and needed Eye Surgeries in India.
We join forces with the Rotary Club Kihei-Wailea to support a Rotary International Global Grant that will help with Health Camps and needed Eye Surgeries in India.
KEEPING BUSY AND HAVING FUN IN FEBRUARY!
GETTING TO KNOW OUR CLUB MEMBERS!
February 2 ~ Who is member Pat Guillen?
Pat is UH HIlo’s Athletic Director and shared with us his sometimes hilarious methods of sending resumés!
Pat is UH HIlo’s Athletic Director and shared with us his sometimes hilarious methods of sending resumés!
February 2 ~ Who is member Newton Chu?
Newton is a Director of the Hawaii Island for Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris and Knorek, Attorneys at Law.
Newton is a Director of the Hawaii Island for Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris and Knorek, Attorneys at Law.
February 15 ~ Valentine’s Membership Mixer
Want new members? Want current members to show up at a function? Is there a better way to entice a crowd than offer wine and a few sake tastings combined with great food! Many thanks to Ryan Kadota of Kadota Liquors who really knows his stuff!
Want new members? Want current members to show up at a function? Is there a better way to entice a crowd than offer wine and a few sake tastings combined with great food! Many thanks to Ryan Kadota of Kadota Liquors who really knows his stuff!
February 23 ~ Our Club loves to help the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii
The Friends were in desperate need of new packages of underwear for abused children who are taken from their homes. (Did you see the Friends “ad” from last month’s page about the Drive?). Pat Guillen and Bobby Stivers-Apika help to fill a bag with new underwear packages held by club member Marcia Prose.
The Friends were in desperate need of new packages of underwear for abused children who are taken from their homes. (Did you see the Friends “ad” from last month’s page about the Drive?). Pat Guillen and Bobby Stivers-Apika help to fill a bag with new underwear packages held by club member Marcia Prose.
February 23-25 ~ Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
RYLA an annual leadership camp for high school students is a collaboration of all nine Rotary Clubs on Island. This year's successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp is thanks to the Rotary Club of Hilo as Host Club and its chair, Jennifer Tanouye. Outstanding leadership learning and opportunities to meet new students were the highlights for students from 10 different island schools. Mahalo to business sponsors: Iris Kuwaye of State Farm Insurance; Cary Ichinose of State Farm Insurance; Hilo Produce and Waterman.
RYLA an annual leadership camp for high school students is a collaboration of all nine Rotary Clubs on Island. This year's successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp is thanks to the Rotary Club of Hilo as Host Club and its chair, Jennifer Tanouye. Outstanding leadership learning and opportunities to meet new students were the highlights for students from 10 different island schools. Mahalo to business sponsors: Iris Kuwaye of State Farm Insurance; Cary Ichinose of State Farm Insurance; Hilo Produce and Waterman.
Malama Honua
celebrating Our 95th Anniversary
The Hilo Rotary Club Foundation presents a donation to Pwo Navigator and Captain of the Polynesian Voyaging Canoe, Hokule'a, to help fund their educational programs on their Malama Honua worldwide voyage. (Left to right: Bruce Blankenfeld, Donald Demuth of the Hilo Rotary Club Foundation, and Club President, Wally Wong)
Edmund Olson is recognized with The Rotary Club of Hilo's Malama Honua award for his efforts in caring for our aina.
“Malama Honua” (to care for our earth) is the theme that we have chosen to celebrate our club's 95th anniversary. Along with Rotary International's theme -- “Be a Gift to the World” -- we are inspired as we start this new Rotary year.
President Wally Wong has sought out community service projects that will build a more sustainable community. Projects such as building a vegetable garden for residents of a shelter to clearing illegally dumped trash in a vacant cul-de-sac area in Hilo. We hope to be an example to other organizations and the community, that in order to stop and smell the flowers, we have to occasionally bend down to pull the weeds or pick up the trash.
These are just a few of the many projects that the Rotary Club of Hilo has planned as it follows the Polynesian Voyaging canoe, Hokule’a, on its Malama Honua sail around the world. On its worldwide voyage, the Hokule’a will grow and join the global movement towards a more sustainable world.
Two individuals who embody the principles of Malama Honua were honored at our Officer Installation: Bruce Blankenfeld, Pwo navigator and Captain of the Hokule’a for his leadership and efforts to educate our youth and Edmund C. Olson of the Edmund C. Olson Trust II for providing agricultural opportunities and building a sustainable future for Hawaii Island.
