Pictured l to r:  Wally Wong, Risto & Dona Poskiparta and Bruce Blankenfeld
 
In pursuit of this year’s Rotary International theme “BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD,”
The Rotary Club of Hilo seized an opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid with a personal touch to two sister Rotary Clubs in the Indian Ocean.  The Club's President, Wally Wong, had coincidentally been selected to travel on the Hokule'a Voyaging Canoe during its August, 2015 journey through the Indian Ocean.  As a crew member representing Hawaii’s long tradition of international maritime navigators, and as the President of The Rotary Club of Hilo, Wally had a unique dual role opportunity to deliver a gift to two Rotary sister clubs in Bali and on the Island of Mauritius.
 
Flying into Bali, Wally delivered a check to the Rotary Club of Bali Nusa Dua for $3,500 to further that club's HIV/AIDS project that provides scholarship funds for underprivileged and disadvantaged children in Bali affected by HIV / AIDS.  The Rotary Club of Hilo contributed $3,000 and the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise added another $500.
 
"This journey with the Hokule'a is one I won’t ever forget," said Wong.  "It's always amazing to me how Rotary can provide an immediate personal relationship—whether locally, nationally or internationally.  It was just like lunching with our own Hilo club!  And members of the Rotary Club of Nusa Dua were really gracious hosts,” Wong concluded.