January 2020... new year... new members!

Wow! Six New Members in January!

Ben Marks ~ Peco Arts

D'Andrea Pelletier ~ our own Opera Singer!

Danni Gardner ~ Day Lum Associations

Julie Kron ~ Paralegal

Patrick Smith ~ Retired

Reese Mates ~ Rotary Shelter Box

BREWFEST RETURNS ON JUNE 27!

The Hilo Brewfest is a fun afternoon of beer tasting, food sampling and entertainment. And it’s also our club’s Signature Fundraising Event that supports two local nonprofits (see below) and other smaller contributions to many projects both local and worldwide.
THIS YEAR, WATCH FOR OUR NEW “BREW-WEEK” FILLED WITH BEER AND FOOD PAIRINGS & FUN!

OUR BREWFEST RECIPIENTS

The Hilo Medical Foundation Residency Program

The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii

OUR CLUB'S SOCIAL SQUAD

No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our monthly “Social Squad”... coming up this month on February 19 at the Temple Bar at 64 Keawe Street in Hilo.
Our February event is in support of Literacy in Fiji with collected funds going to buy books and school materials for impoverished schools on some of those small, isolated islands.

A REALLY BUSY DECEMBER!

December 7 ~ “Waianae Parade”

Assistant Rotary District Governor and club member Randy Hart drives District Governor Eric Kaler and his wife in the annual Rotary sponsored Christmas Parade through downtown Waianae. Good, safe driving, Randy!

December 11 ~ “Seniors’ Luncheon”

Club members gathered to present a delicious luncheon to seniors at the Kamana Senior Center. Singing and live entertainment accompanied the serving of this traditional meal provided by our club.

December 12-14 ~ “Craft Fair”

Member Mike poses with a “friend” at our third annual Kama’aina Christmas Craft Fair held at the Civic Center Butler Building. Over 1000 shoppers stopped by to see hand made crafts by local crafters... plus delicious BBQ from a food truck.

December 14 ~ “Bell Ringing”

Club members turn out for shifts of Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army outside of Macys at the Mall. Good fun and holiday cheer plus ample donations make this annual effort well worth the time.

December 12 ~ “Bali Report”

Randy Hart “reports” to the club about the trip to Bali. Rotarians were able to make a difference by providing prosthetic legs to amputees, working on restrooms in a nearby school... a great international project sponsored by our Rotary Hawaii district.

December 18 ~ “Social Squad”

Members and friends met at the Temple Bar for an evening of socializing and fundraising to help with the Foster Siblings Holiday Party. Over $500 was gathered for the present exchange. (see the December 23rd post!)

December 23 ~ “Sibling Party”

Often times, siblings who go into Foster Care don’t get to see each other at Christmas time. The Teen Board of “HI H.O.P.E.S.” and “Epic ‘Ohana” planned a holiday get together for teen siblings held at Solid Rock East Hawaii church in Pahoa. But “presents” were needed for the teens to “shop” for their siblings. The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii joined in for the program... and were able to buy “presents” thanks in part to the fundraising of our “Social Squad” members and friends.”

JOIN US!

No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our “Social Squad”...coming in February

Our club meets nearly every Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Want to join us for lunch and community networking? Leave us a message on our website: hilorotary.com

NOVEMBER HAD THE CLUB "OUT AND ABOUT"!

NOVEMBER STARTS THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

December 18 ~ No time for lunch with us on a Friday?

Join us for our monthly “Social Squad”... coming up this month on December 18 at the Temple Bar at 64 Keawe Street in Hilo. Our Dec 18th event is in support of The FRIENDS of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii Sibling Holiday Party. The party is for youth who have been separated from their siblings and will be reunited and able to celebrate together! If you are unable to attend Social Squad event, you can still donate by visiting
www.fcjcEastHawaii.org and click DONATE.

November 7 ~ Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

Members of our club enjoyed some great entertainment at the Red Kettle Kickoff with comic Augie T. Plus everyone loved to get an ono-licious Breakfast that they didn’t have to cook!

November 15 - Breakfast... again!

Another breakfast... this time for the new edition of the Hilo Hospital Foundation’s Residency Program. New interviewees were greeted by hospital staff and club members.

November 16 - Rotary Assembly

Members were on hand to learn about Rotary International’s Foundation and how local clubs can interact with this large, top flight charitable organization.

November 21 ~ “Social Squad”

It was a casual, after-hours get together, this time at The Temple Bar. Starting at 5;30pm and going until 7:30pm, members and non-members learn about projects that our club is working on.

November 23 ~ Waiakea HS Students

Cooked turkey needs to be shredded in preparation for the Salvation Army’s Annual Thanksgiving meal. Who better to help than high school students not afraid to get their hands involved.

November 28 ~ Thanksgiving

While their own turkeys were cooking, club members worked in the kitchens of the Hawaii Home for Recovery preparing turkey and fixins’ for the hungry residents.

OCTOBER OUT AND ABOUT!

NEW MEMBER

JOY MATSUURA

OCTOBER READING IN KINDERGARTEN

Many of our Rotarians spread out to read a great story to 537 students. Reading continues through May of 2020.

OCTOBER STUDENT DICTIONARIES

Over 350 Student Dictionaries were delivered by Rotarians to 3rd graders in schools around Hilo and nearby towns. And they came will a short lesson on how to use them.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER IN BALI

Making a difference in Bali! Rotarians provided prosthetic legs to amputees, worked on rest rooms in a nearby school... and ate lots of great food!

OCTOBER 17 ~ ANNUAL CHICKEN HEKKA

Cook your own dinner... and what better plan than to have our club President cook and serve us! It was delicious, Anna!

OCTOBER 19 ~ "PEACE POLE"

Members of four East Hawai’i Rotary Clubs erected a “Peace Pole” at the Rotary Centennial Park on Reed’s Bay. “Let peace prevail on earth” is written in several languages. The Peace Committee hopes to map more poles across the island.

OCTOBER 23 ~ "SOCIAL SQUAD"

Want to participate in our club, but can’t make the Friday noon lunch? Join our once-a-month “Social Squad.” Next meeting Nov. 21 at 5:30pm at the Temple Bar, 64 Keawe St, Hilo

OCTOBER 26 ~ YWCA's WALK

Rotarians gathered to “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” for a fundraiser in downtown Hilo. Whose hairy legs are those walking in high heel shoes?

OCTOBER 26 ~ FRIENDS' MTM PARTY

Always ready for a party for a good cause, Club members attended the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii’s Mai Tai Masquerade. And our Mitch won best Celebrity Bartender!

OCTOBER 31 ~ HALLOWEEN DOINGS

Club members and other Rotarians were ready for the Trick or Treaters at the Parks and Recreation’s Community Halloween festivities!

September Recap

SEPTEMBER 2019

OUT AND ABOUT

September 7 - Beach Cleanup

Our High School “Interactors” (that’s Rotary Jr!) head to the beach along the Queen Liliu’okalani Park to pick up and bag rubbish.

September 14 - District Meeting

Members of our club join with other East Hawaii Rotary clubs to meet and listen to Eric Kaler, the Hawaii State Rotary District Governor.

September 21 - Walking for Good

Club members and Interact members combine to walk for support at the 2019 Alzheimer’s Walk in Hilo.

JOIN OUR CLUB IN DEVELOPING OUR YOUTH

Rotary is not just about meetings and service... it’s also about mentoring and supporting our youth. These are our leaders of tomorrow! We get started with Kindergartners!

READING IN KINDERGARTEN

We read to 537 Kindergartners and give them their own books 4 times a year.

DICTIONARIES FOR 3RD GRADE

We give out 350+ Student Dictionaries to third grade students.

ELEMENTARY HALLOWEEN FUN

We contribute Halloween Candy for the Parks and Recreation’s Safe Halloween Fun.

HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT

We mentor High School students through their INTERACT clubs.

HIGH SCHOOL STEM

We support NEX TECH that teaches STEM skills.

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

We help with the RYLA conference for high school students.

COLLEGE ROTARACT

We involve “almost Rotarians” attending UH Hilo..

AUGUST WAS MEMBERSHIP MONTH... and we focus on LOCAL SERVICE!

JOIN US!

WEEKLY MEETINGS

We meet nearly every Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Interested? Send us an email through our website on the: CONTACT TAB: hilorotary.org.

SOCIAL SQUAD MEETING

Can’t make those Friday noon meetings? Join us through our “Social Squad”, an after hours branch of our club where people can gather to discuss community minded events and projects. See you on Sept. 18 at 5:30pm at the Hilo Yacht Club!

JOIN OUR CLUB IN HELPING

OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES!

We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and support the efforts of other community organizations and non-profits. Together we make a difference right here in East Hawaii.

LABORING:

• BAY FRONT CLEAN UP
• BEACH CLEAN UP
• PAINTING
• PARK CLEAN UP

SERVING:

• THANKSGIVING DINNERS
• FOOD PREPARATIONS
• SENIOR LUNCHEON

SUPPORTING:

• YWCA WALK A MILE
• HEART WALK
• ALZHEIMER’S WALK
• SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING

MENTORING:

• HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUBS
• ANNUAL ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
• READING TO KINDERGARTNERS

SUPPLYING:

• BACKPACKS FOR KEIKI
• RICE FOR FOOD BASKET
• “GLAM BAGS” FOR HOMELESS WOMEN
• BOOKS FOR KINDERGARTNERS
• DICTIONARIES FOR 3RD GRADERS

SUSTAINING:

Our Two Major Hilo Brewfest Recipients:

• HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATION’S RESIDENCY PROGRAM
(Training new doctors and encouraging them to stay here on Hawaii Island)
• FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER OF EAST HAWAII
(Enhancing the lives of abused children in East Hawaii)

We don’t just meet to learn (and eat, and have fun),

we work to help our local communities.

Where would you like to fit into this picture?

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.