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Help Pahoa through Rotary d5000!
Rotary has the ability to handle large scale relief operations!
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.
APRIL IN ROTARY
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
 
DODO MORTUARY
 
HILO MEDICAL CENTER
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
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
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's OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONALLY!
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
 
 
FEBRUARY, 2018 - SHORT MONTH - BUSY CLUB MEMBERS!
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW INFO, SERVICE AND FUN FOR RCOH
January 20 ~ Weed Whacking and more at Kaivao Farms

At the Farm to help with the  Wauke garden preparations. Members brought rakes, chainsaws, weed wackers and sunscreen. The plan was to clear an area to plant wauke (paper mulberry) for future cultural demonstrations.
A great help and a great start on this innovative garden that will bring more  Hawaiian culture to our beautiful island home.
 
 
January 23 ~ East Hawaii Rotary Clubs come together for an informative meeting all about how the Rotary Foundation brings hope and caring to the entire world!

Around 90 Rotarians from all five East Hawai’i Clubs gathered together at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in the Sandalwood Room, engaging in conversations and dining.  The speakers included Steven Solomon, Senior Annual Giving Officer of The Rotary Foundation  and Beth Garrow, Major Gifts Officer (2016), with the caption “Giving is Good.” You can guess the theme for the evening was “giving.”
 
January 26 ~ No Friday meeting so time to take a Selfie wherever members found themselves!

At work, at a meeting, at play... Club members proudly wear their Rotary pins in our Rotary Pin Selfie Day.
DECEMBER HOLIDAY DOINGS IN THE CLUB
WELCOME NEW CLUB MEMBER -
JOSHUA COUNTESS!
Bringing us his Financial Wisdom from Merrill Lynch
 
THE POLIO RIDE IS A SUCCESS...
and is continuing!
Ride So They Can Walk -
Rotary is sponsoring a series of bike rides to raise funds to end polio forever in the world. The Ride began back in November and is continuing! Want to help and Ride? Ride however and wherever you wish. To date, over 70 riders have collected over $30,000! Like our Rotary Club member Newton (pictured above), you can help bring an end to this devastating disease. For more information and to register and/or to donate... here’s how Log on to www.rotaryd5000.org and click on RIDE FOR POLIO
 
 
DECEMBER 5 --
HOLIDAY SUSHI NIGHT
Club members taste test different sushi created by Chef Roy Kaneko of Hilo Bay Café at the remarkable, festively decorated Shin house.
 
 
DECEMBER 7, 8 & 9 --
OUR CLUB'S FIRST "KAMA'AINA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR"
Nearly 40 local crafters displayed some amazing handmade products inside the Butler Building on the Civic grounds.  Club members helped to host the event and Waiakea High School Interact
students learned about retail selling at their water and juice booth.
 
 
DECEMBER 9 --
BELL RINGING FOR
THE SALVATION ARMY
Club Members show up outside of Macys for our annual Bell Ringing efforts.  Aren’t we glad it’s WARM here in Hawai’i!
 
 
DECEMBER 10 --
BELL RINGING CONTINUES
Club members join a large and enthusiastic group of Hilo High School Leo Club in keeping the bell ringing going!
 
 
DECEMBER 13 --
CONTINUING OUR 30+ TRADITION OF SERVING A HOLIDAY LUNCH TO SENIORS AT THE KAMANA SENIOR CENTER
So much Holiday Spirit and a great lunch... plus Club member Dirk’s entertainment! A fun time every year.
 
 
DECEMBER 22 --
HELPING WITH GIFT WRAPPING FOR THE HOMELESS KEIKI CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
It’s a lot of presents to gift wrap.... and keep in the right order and in the right bags. Club members are getting their instructions shortly before the wrapping begins!
 
 
 

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.
 
 

Please Join Us

Service Above Self - Since 1920

We meet Fridays at 12:00 PM
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
71 Banyan Drive
Moku'ola Room (Lower Level, oceanfront)
Hilo, HI  96720
United States
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Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
 
Upcoming Events
 
Speakers
Angela Fa'anunu - Kaivao Farms
May 25, 2018
Kaivao Farms
JaNeals - Special Olympics
Jun 01, 2018
East Hawaii Special Olympics
View entire list...
 
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