It all depends on our members!
Keith Okamoto, our new Club President for July 2018-June 2019 knows that it's our members who work hard and strive to "Be the Inspiration"... Rotary International's new theme for the new Rotary year. According to Keith, our members are a diverse group of business, community and civic leaders. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. We welcome you to join us at our Friday lunch meetings or on our various projects.
And how could we do it without NEW MEMBERS?
Bobby Dugar, Coldwell Banker Day-lum Properties
Dan Turner, Pacific Tec Lending
Jim "Kimo" Becker, Financial Services
Aloha to one of our own.
Russ Oda
Russ Oda, a friend and our Rotary Club member for over 50 years, always had a smile and usually a great joke every time we saw him. A past President and the founder of our sister Rotary Club of Hiroshima South, Russ also had been an active member of the Sunao Wada Foundation that works to bring Japanese students to Hilo and to send Hilo students to Hiroshima.
Aloha, Russ, you will be missed by all of us!
Rotary is about FUN!
July 11 - Membership Mixer at Chapter 17
Yes, Rotarians are out in our community helping with projects, but it’s also about fun! These “mixers” not only allow potential new members to meet our group, it also gives us a chance to get to know each other.
Rotary is also about helping kids!
July 20 & 27 - School Supplies Gathered for Salvation Army distribution
Bags and boxes of pencils, erasers, and composition books brought in by our club members were presented to Danielle of the Salvation Army. Many of our island keiki are in need of school supplies!
And, of course, Rotary is about helping our community -
in this case, helping Kua O Ka La Charter School
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Rotary Knows How to Help With Disaster Relief - Focus on Kua O Ka La
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 have banded 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. (donate at www.rotaryd5000.org)
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So... the question for Ron Cutler (above) of the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset, was how to use the donated funds that would make a significant improvement to areas affected by the lava. Kua O Ka La Charter School was a large part of the answer. The school campus was overrun by lava. Where to have classes starting in early August? Kindergarten through 6th grade could meet at a building on the Nani Mau Gardens grounds, but major work to rehabilitate the run down building was needed. All 5 East Hawaii Rotary Clubs have been working to get the new “campus” ready by the start of school. Susie Osborne, Head of the School, (pictured above with Ron) is thrilled to have so many Rotarians help along side of her school staff and volunteers.
I mua Kua O Ka La!
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