Events

We will be collecting Back to School supplies throughout July to distribute to schools in August.  Collection at club meetings from July until Aug. 5.  Drop off at BI Toyota  Please write your name on your bag of donations.

When Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, the city's deputy prosecutor, reported their mailbox stolen to frame a family member, it was only the beginning of an elaborate conspiracy and a corruption case that became the notorious in Hawaii history.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Joint town beautification project with Pahoa Sunset.  Also collaborating:  East HI clubs.

Harvey's fist walk and talk was enjoyable and informative walk in the park.

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk around downtown Hilo on Wednesday, August 10. This event will be a walk and talk around Shipman and Kalakaua Streets with a lunch at Cronie's Bar and Grill to follow.The walk starts at 10:00 am and lunch is set for 11:30 am. There is NO COST for the walk; please take care of your own meal and drinks. 

REGISTRATION is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

A NEW OPPORTUNITY

Harvey's Walk and Talk for August 10 is fully booked. 

A second walk is now available - Friday, August 12.

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk in downtown Hilo in the Shipman and Kalakaua Street area. Anticipate a 90 minute walk and talk starting at 10:00 am. Enjoy lunch at Cronie's Bar and Grill and continue your conversations. There is NO COST for the walk; please take care of your own meal and drinks. 

REGISTRATION is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk. This will be an enjoyable and informative visit in downtown Hilo in the Haili and Ponohawai area.

Here's your Walk and Talk invite for TUESDAY, AUGUST 16.

There are two walks this week, August 16 and August 18.

Look for two event invitations.  Register for the date you prefer. 

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

The Rotary Four-Way Test refers to building better friendships through respect, trust, reciprocity, shared experience, and mutual enjoyment of each other’s company.  If you’re looking for some of that in your life, I have the thing just for you … SOCIAL SQUAD!!

The July event brought in $500 of donations for The Fiji Solar Project and we're thrilled to announce the August Social Squad event!

The mission of the Rotary Club of Hilo Social Squad is socializing with purpose by providing impactful support & awareness to local causes, organizations, and projects.  This month we'll be supporting The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii.  

The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused children in our community.  The Friends’ vision and mission focus on helping the children of abuse in East Hawaii and preventing child abuse in the future.

Join us at Temple Bar on Wednesday August 17, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  We will collect a donation of $20 per person at the door that will directly support the great work of The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii.

Social Squad is also a great introduction venue for new people to Rotary.  Bring a friend and enjoy a fun a night of Socializing with Purpose!

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk. This will be an enjoyable and informative visit in downtown Hilo in the Haili and Ponohawai area.

Here's your Walk and Talk invite for Thursday, AUGUST 18.

There are two walks this week, August 16 and August 18.

Look for two event invitations.  Register for the date you prefer. 

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Remove invasive  non native plants in ponds by Seaside Restaurant and plant native ones.  Restoration of area to encourage habitation of native water fowl.  This is an ongoing project - we're looking for 10 people for Aug. 22 project.  

About ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiativeʻs Wetland Restoration

Location:  “NA LOKO I'A. Na Loko o Lokoaka. Akahi ame Kionakapahu, e pili ana me ka aina pohopoho mawaena o Honohononui ame na Apana Pa Hale o Paka Lehia, Keaukaha, Hilo Hema, Hawaii” (THE FISH PONDS. The Ponds of Lokoaka. Akahi and Kionakapahu, adjoining the marsh land between Honohononui and Lehia Park Residential Lots, Keaukaha, South Hilo, Hawaii) as discribed in The Poakolu, Okatoba 22, 1941 (Wednesday, October 22, 1941) issue of Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Hawaiian language newspaper in Hilo. It is owned by DLNR and leased by The Seaside Restaurant.  Much of Akahi and Kionakapahuʻs habitat for native waterbirds is overgrown with non-native invasive vegetation mostly with California grass, also know as Para grass.   

When it started:  Efforts to restore habitat started on January 29, 2021.   

What we do:  We remove invasive non-native plants and plant native ones.  Wetlands like Na Loko o Lokoaka will require regular removal of non-native invasive plants to remain suitable habitat. We catch mongooses. Predation by non-native animals is one of the most serious threats to all endemic waterbirds in Hawaiʻi.  

Facts: 

• Hawai‘i Island has few wetlands that support ‘alae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coots), ‘Aimakapā Pond and ‘Ōpae’ula Pond on the Kona Coast, and Waiākea Pond and Lokowaka Pond in Hilo.  ‘Alae keʻokeʻo is an endangered species.
• Only the fishpond on private property at Ha'ena regularly has Ae'o (Hawaiian stilt) on the entire Hilo side of Hawaiʻi Island.  Kumiko and other birders have observed the bird foraging at Lokowaka in 2011, 2012, and 2013.  Aeʻo is an endangered species.

The main purpose of the restoration project is for Aeʻo but it also benefits other bird species such as ʻAlae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot), Koloa Maoli Hybrid (Hawaiian Duck Hybrid), Nēnē, Aukuʻu (Black-crowned night heron), migratory ducks, and shorebirds.  The native plant community include ʻAeʻae and ʻAkaakai.  Removal of non-native invasive plants greatly helps these native plants as well as birds.  This project also benefit the fish as well.  This project also preserves cultural and historical values of the place.  In fact, kuapā (rock wall) reimurged when we remove the overgrowth!  Restoring wetlands is caring for history and culture in Hawaiʻi.

Three months after we started to remove the overgrowth,  Nēnē (Hawaiian goose) started to come to the area.  A year after that a pair of Aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) came to visit.  (Nēnē frequent the area, so two “NENE CROSSING” signs were installed near the project site in January 2022.)    Very little ʻAeʻae that was growing entangled in the invasive plants are growing well where we planted them from cuttings.  They will need ongoing help so do the birds. The task is not easy but  “Aʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia” no task is too big when done together by all.  Please kōkua!

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk.

This time learn about a dearly loved waterfront community, Shinmachi. Tragedy hit in 1960 when this business and residential community was swept away by a tsunami. Beyond Harvey's stories of loss, you'll hear about Hilo's resilience.

Here's your Walk and Talk invite for Tuesday, AUGUST 23rd.

We encourage you to sign up for Tuesday, August 23.

We will open registration for Thursday, August 25 if interest is high.

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 12 Rotarians and guests. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. Our members are building better friendships and we are meeting friends and prospective members too. Mini Mixer Pickle Ball Basics is proof of that. Rotarians and guests have had three opportunities to learn the game and they keep getting better. 

Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  

This meeting will not be on Zoom

Please join Harvey's Hometown Walk and Talk.

Aloha Hilo Rotarians,

THIS ONE WILL BE BEAUTIFUL.

Climb Halai Hill for a great view and then go to Reed's (not really an island) Island for it's historic homes. 

Here's your Walk and Talk invite for TUESDAY, AUGUST 30th.

The walk starts at 9:00 am and lasts approximately 90 minutes. There is NO COST, however REGISTRATION is required and limited to 12 Rotarians and guests. 

Please meet at the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Island at 100 Kamakahonu St. off of Haili St. Please park near the baseball field. 

Mini Mixers are a project of the Membership Committee. We hope these Walk and Talks have been enjoyable. This is our last Walk and Talk for a while. Mahalo for your high interest and participation.  Gail at 808 430-5898

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

This is a multi club project.  The Peace pole will also be a time capsule.  the hopes and prayers of Peace will be reopened 10 years from this date.  There are 3 pole dedications on this day.  The second one will be in Waimea at noon and the third will be in Kona.

Dedication of a Peace Pole that was intended to be planted in 2020 in honor of our 100 yr club anniversary.  This event is part of tethe COH's week of Peace.

The ponds surrounding the Seaside Restaurant is leased through DLNR.  The ponds, Na Loko I`a have lost some of their wetland due to invasive plants.  The project's main goal is to restore the wetland habitat for endangered waterbirds.  We will remove invasive non-native species, replanting the area with native plants.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Rotary Four-Way Test refers to building better friendships through respect, trust, reciprocity, shared experience, and mutual enjoyment of each other’s company.  If you’re looking for some of that in your life, I have the thing just for you … SOCIAL SQUAD!!

The August event collected $260 in donations for The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii and we're thrilled to announce the October Social Squad event!

The mission of the Rotary Club of Hilo Social Squad is socializing with purpose by providing impactful support & awareness to local causes, organizations, and projects.  This month we'll be supporting End Polio Now!

Join us at Temple Bar on Wednesday October 19, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  A donation of $20 per person will be collected at the door to directly support the great work of Rotary International - End Polio Now!

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.

As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.  Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.  Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.

Social Squad is also a great introduction venue for new people to Rotary.  Bring a friend and enjoy a fun a night of Socializing with Purpose!

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Help our new Eco Committee in this ongoing project that helps the clean up/eradication of invasive plants that have invaded and overgrown the ponds next to Seaside Restaurant.  This encourages the return of native water birds to the area.  We will also help in planting of native plants/ground cover to replace the invasive California grass.  Once you register, a map and instructions will be sent to you.

Fun Halloween Dress up Party, highlighting one of our member's business - the Arc of Hilo.  Costume Contest, Pupus, Games, DJ for dancing.  BYOB.

YMCA Mural: Interact and Rotarians Collaborative Project 

Opportunity for Rotarians to work with our Interact Club of Waiakea High School. Students will collaborate on the design and paint on to the 8’ x 40’ container. 

The YMCA is located at 300 W. Lanikaula St. just down from Waiakea High School located at 155 W. Kawili St., about a 10 minute walk.  

 

Tuesdays and Thursdays painting 1pm-4pm, weather permitting  

Starting in November  

Tuesday 1 & Thursday 3  

Tuesday 8 & Thursday 10  

Tuesday 15 & Thursday 17 

Tuesday 22  

Tuesday 29 

April is a founding member of the Eco Rotary Club of Kaka`ako.  Her club has become a model that D5000 uses to develop more cause based clubs.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The club is helping to clear off the invasive plants overgrowing in the ponds next to Seaside Restaurant in Keaukaha and replanting native plants in its place.  This encourages native water birds to return to this beautiful area to rest, feed, and nest.  Please come down and help (even for just an hour or so) and experience the beauty of this island we call home!  Wear comfortable footwear that you don't mind getting a little muddy, sunscreen, garden gloves (if you have them), water, and a snack (optional).  Questions?  call/text Kumiko Mattison 808.895.2350 for more info.  See you there!  Connie 808.896.4926

YMCA Mural

Why:

YMCA is a community provider making an abundance of services available to a diverse Hilo community through their Family Visitor Center, providing a safe place for parents to receive their keiki, they have a Goodwill drop off box on sight, they provide help for folks trying to get insurance coverage through their Kokua Services, tomorrow’s leaders are created today with in their Junior Leadership Program, they sponsor a Sailing Program, have Day Camps when school is out, TSA Pre Check enrollment office is at their local, and their most popular program is their Fitness Center and offer a plethora of fitness class offerings lead by talented Instructors. The YMCA turns no one away from partaking in any of their fitness classes for inability to pay.

         The YMCA is located at 300 W. Lanikaula St. on a large swath of land with a huge 40 ft container on it used for storage. Wendy Botelho, the CEO of the YMCA was absolutely thrilled at the thought of having the container painted. She loves flowers so that was heavily considered in the design devised for the container.

Because of YMCA diverse reach of people in our Hilo community providing so many good services it would be great to provide them a fresh look with the help of Rotary and Interact. And what a great way for us Rotarians to work with our youth members on a public project.

Container design. The rainbow will have words on it. This design will appear

the larger sides of the container.

This design will be on the smaller ends.

But much preparation has to happen before we get to painting the actual mural on to the container.

☑ Rust restoration

☐ Prime Painted

☐Top Painted

☐ Stencil Making (Beckie)

☐ Draw design on container

☐ Mural painting

Please come lend a helping hand on fair weather Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm, with clean up begin at 3. Please pack your own water and good humor.

Pictures of progress thus far

 8ft. by 40ft container

Shaun O’Brian Jomaxing,

power washing and rust conversion.

Prime paint application on to the top of container.

Now time to prime paint the rest of the container. And then paint the top coat on.

Please come and help.

The Rotary Four-Way Test refers to building better friendships through respect, trust, reciprocity, shared experience, and mutual enjoyment of each other’s company.  If you’re looking for some of that in your life, I have the thing just for you … SOCIAL SQUAD!!  Social Squad is a great introduction venue for new people to Rotary.  Bring a friend and enjoy a fun a night of Socializing with Purpose!

The October event collected $750.00 in donations for Polio Plus and we're thrilled to announce what’s next for November … 

The mission of the Rotary Club of Hilo Social Squad is socializing with purpose by providing impactful support & awareness to local causes, organizations, and projects.  This month we'll be supporting our friends at The Salvation Army - Family Intervention Services.  

The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services (FIS) provides residential, prevention and intervention services to adolescents in communities on the Big Island of Hawai'i and Maui. Its mission is to provide youth with skills for a healthy lifestyle, and instill purpose, hope and vision to youth and their families. FIS provides opportunities to achieve academic success and personal resiliency.

Join us at Temple Bar on Wednesday November 16, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  A donation of $20 per person will be collected at the door to directly support the great work of The Salvation Army.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

We have a few more seats available! Please join us.

We are fortunate to have so many gifted members. The lovely and talented Bobby Jean Todd will guide you from harvesting foliage and flowers to designing a wreath.

Join this special actvity and create a unique and natural beauty of your own. Just imagine, a hand-crafted wreath to welcome the season and all your guests!

Saturday, November 19

It's a 7:30AM start outdoors; please be prepared for with covered shoes, protection from the sun or rain and water to keep hydrated. You'll receive more details on where we will meet and what tools and supplies will be needed. 

At about 10:00AM, You'll switch from hunter to artist and we'll work together at Gail's house until 3:00PM.  Please bring your lunch. 

Mini Mixers are designed for small groups of our members and guests to find common interests and get to know each other.

I hope you ae excited! Registration is required and limited to 8 Rotarians and guests. A $25 fee for supplies will be collected.

Send your questions to me at gtakaki808@gmail.com.  Mahalo, Gail Takaki

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

How great would it feel to help those most in need this holiday season??  (the answer is "soooo great!")

The Rotary Four-Way Test refers to building better friendships through respect, trust, reciprocity, shared experience, and mutual enjoyment of each other’s company.  If you’re looking for some of that in your life, I have the thing just for you … SOCIAL SQUAD!!

The mission of the Rotary Club of Hilo Social Squad is socializing with purpose by providing impactful support & awareness to local causes, organizations, and projects.  This month we'll be supporting The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii.  

The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused children in our community.  The Friends’ vision and mission focus on helping the children of abuse in East Hawaii and preventing child abuse in the future.  The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii will be holding an event for children placed into foster care to be reunited with their estranged brothers & sisters and celebrate the holidays.  Your support will have direct impact to this amazing event and brighten lives of children in our community.

Join us at Temple Bar on Wednesday December 14, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  We will collect a donation of $20 per person at the door that will directly support the great work of The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii.

Social Squad is also a great introduction venue for new people to Rotary.  Bring a friend and enjoy a fun a night of Socializing with Purpose!

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

The Zoom link for this hybrid meeting will be sent in the weekly meeting reminder.

Join te Eco Committee's newest project to create a sustainable garden for the residents of the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery.  The goal is to create a garden that the residents feel is their own.  To nurture, teach, and develop different skills in the residents, as well as in the Rotarians.