Club Stories

Club Stories - Historical

Rotary Park Work Day
Posted by Kerry Glass on Mar 28, 2015
Rotary Park Work Day II
 
 
East Hawaiian Rotary Clubs gathered at Hilo's Kuhio Kalanianaole Park for their second clean-up Day as part of the "Rotary Park Phase II" project.  Included were the Rotary Club of Hilo, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, Rotary Club of South Hilo, Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset and the Rotary Club of Volcano.  Between 30 and 40 members, friends and family came to help for the morning.
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Hilo Heart Walk 2015
Posted on Mar 06, 2015
Hilo Heart Walk
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hilo came out on a cool Hilo morning to support the American Heart Association's Hilo Heart Walk to fight heart disease and stroke.  The club raised $885 for the effort.  Shown above are the Rotarian walkers and members of the Waiakea High School Interact Club that were on hand as volunteers to make it a success.
Joe Hanley Jr. Honored
Posted by Kerry Glass on Feb 14, 2015
Joe Hanley Jr. Honored
 
 
The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii honored Hilo Rotarian Joe Hanley Jr. with their Outstanding Service Award for his 25 year association and work with the their organization.  Hanley was the first president of their board and was instrumental in helping build this Partnership for Children.  Presenting the award was current FCJC-EH President, Jay Kimura.  The FCJC-EH has close ties with the Rotary Club of Hilo and was a beneficiary from this year's Hilo Brewfest.
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HOPE Services Donation
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jan 22, 2015
HOPE Services Hawaii Donation
 
 
Ka'ohinani "Nani" Miyashiro from HOPE Services Hawaii was on hand at Friday's meeting to receive a $1,300 donation check from the Rotary Club of Hilo and the Hilo Rotary Club Foundation.  The donation is to cover the cost of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device that will be placed in one of it's Hilo shelters.   Joining Nani are Steve Handy Jr., Hilo Rotary Club Foundation Chair and club president, Richard Johnson.
Rotary Park - Phase II
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jan 30, 2015
Rotary Park Work Day
 
 
The five East Hawaii Rotary clubs swarmed through Kuhio Kalaniana'ole Park in Hilo to work on Phase II of the "Rotary Park Project".  In 2005, as part of the Rotary Centennial, the five clubs worked together to bring many improvements to the park, turning it into a great place to relax by the bay.  Today's event was organized by Mike Robinson, who kept us focused and safe, considering the number of chainsaws. 
 
This phase, which was started by a professional arborist, was to continue to clear many of the invasive plants from the park.  The small viewing platform, which was badly deteriorated, was removed and the clubs will be working with the county to design a replacement. The county will be donating additional picnic tables and park benches which will be added in the next few weeks.  Another work day will be scheduled to continue the clean-up. 
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Ringing In Christmas

Ringing For The Salvation Army

 
 
Christmas carols, music and candy were the order of the day as the Rotary Club of Hilo turned out in force to support the Salvation Army.  The club has been doing this for several years and it is always a fun time for the members and certainly a good thing for the Salvation Army.
Hilo Rotarian Honored
Posted by Kerry Glass on Dec 08, 2014
 

Mitch Roth Honored

 
 
Hilo Rotarian and Hawaii County Prosecutor, Mitch Roth, was honored by the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH) as the "Community Partner of the Year" for his ongoing support of the organization that has meant so much to Hawaii visitors in need. Presenting the plaque to Roth is Rachelle Hennings, President of the VASH Board of Directors. The luncheon for Roth was held aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line's "Pride of America".
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$10,000 Donations Presented

Friends of the Children's Justice Center
and Hilo Medical Center Foundation

It was a particularly joyous Friday Meeting on November 14th.  The Hilo Rotary Club Foundation represented by Steve Handy and Bob Hanley, along with Kerry Glass, our president during the 2014 Brewfest, were proud to present two checks for $10,000 each to the Friends of the Children's Justice Center and the Hilo Medical Center Foundation.  In the photo below, (from left to right), Geri Santiago, Jane Webb, Jill Jacunski, and Robin Benedict accept the $10,000 check from Kerry Glass, Steve Handy, and Bob Hanley.  Through Nancy Cabral's generosity, we were able to increase the amounts from $9,808.93 to an even $10,000 for each deserving charity.
 
But the festivities were far from over.  A second check for $10,000 was presented to the Hilo Medical Center Foundation.  In the photo below, from left to right:  Dr. Kristine McCoy, Lisa Ranz, Kerry Glass, Julie Tulang, Steve Handy, and Bob Hanley. 
 
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Lorraine Inouye Elected to Hawaii Senate
Posted by Kerry Glass on Nov 03, 2014

Inouye to Hawaii Senate

 
 
This evening, Rotary Club of Hilo Rotarian Lorraine Inouye was elected to the Hawaii Senate to represent North Hawaii Island's 4th District.  Inouye is a former Senator and Hawaii County Mayor.  Congratulations, Lorraine! 
 
Ironman World Championships
Posted by Kerry Glass on Oct 10, 2014
Rotarians at the Ironman
 
Six members from the Rotary Club of Hilo joined Rotarians from South Hilo , Pahoa Sunset and a large group of Rotaractors from UH Hilo to staff the bicycle turnaround in Hawi.  Also joining us again this year were  several from participants from the BISAC program in Hilo.  They are always a great help and so enthusiastic.  Hilo Rotarians (shown above l to r) included - Kerry Glass, Kathleen McGilvray, Susan Munro, Jenny Johnson, Richard Johnson and Yoko Hayano.
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Wet Work in Pepeekeo
Posted on Jul 13, 2014
Wet Times at the Hilo Triathlon
 
Twelve Rotarians and two guests braved the wet weather to work the Bike Turnaround at the Hilo Triathlon in Pepeekeo.  Light rain was already falling as we started the set-up at 7:00 am.  By the time the 230 or so bikers made it to the our station the crew was soaked to the bone.  Never the less, we had a great time and are already looking forward to next year's event.  
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95th President Installed
95th President Installed
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hilo installed it's 95th President, Richard Johnson, on Thursday, June 26.  The installation was held at the Wailoa State Park and was attended by the club members and their families as well as the incoming presidents from the other East Hawaii Rotary Clubs.  Also present were the outgoing Assistant District Governor, Dave Hurd, and the incoming Assistant District Governor, Charlene Myers. 
 
Past President Chuck Porter was the evening's Master of Ceremonies and did an outstanding job of poking fun and making for an enjoyable evening.  Richard was sworn in by Past President Gay Porter.  
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Club President's Awards
Club President's Awards
 
 
Rotary Club of Hilo's President presided over over his last meeting on Friday with a recap of the club's accomplishments for the year.  During the meeting he presented two Club President's Awards, the Spirit Award to Jean Sugiyama (on left) and the Quiet Rotarian Award to Cindy Boots (on right).  The Spirit Award goes to a new member that embodies spirit of Rotary in becoming involved in the club's activities. The Quiet Rotarian award goes to the member that goes about the club's business without seeking notoriety.  
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Brewfest 2014

Brewfest 2014 - Thanks to the Volunteers

The 120 plus Brewfest Volunteers and the community sponsors made the second annual Hilo Brewfest a huge success.
Our wonderful steering committee worked together tirelessly to put together a fantastic event to benefit the HHSC's Primary Care Physician Training program, the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii,and the Hilo Rotary Club Foundation.  A fun time was had by all, and the pictures of the event are included in our Newletter section.
Please click here to see some of the other photos in our photo album.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cheetahs, Elephants, and Kudu

Elephants, Cheetahs, and Kudu

Chris Tamm shared some stunning photographs from his recent trip to South Africa.  This was the first time he had returned to the area in 32 years, and so much has changed.  Chris and his wife, Barbara, traveled for 48 hours from Hawaii to reach Cape Town, South Africa (and not all of those miles were via plane).  After resting for two days, they traveled to the confluence of the Shashe and the Limpopo Rivers at the border between Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.  (If you would like to see all the photos from their trip, please click here.) 
 
Here are some of Chris's favorites:
Below:  elephant mom and teenager.  The youngster had a scratch on one of his hind legs, and was using his other hind leg to scratch it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This was the first cheetah Chris had seen in real life.  It was an absolutely spectacular male, and this picture was taken at sun-up.  The cheetah had fed recently, so he was like an aloof house cat.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below is a kudu.  He was licking his lips so the bush he was eating must have been quite tasty.
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HRYF Scholarship

HRYF Scholarship Recipient

 
 
Waiakea High School Senior and Interact Club president, Lindsey Yamane was awarded a Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship at the May 13 meeting of the Rotary Club of Hilo. Lindsey will be attend Azusa Pacific University on the mainland and the $5,000 scholarship will be put toward a degree in Music Composition.
WHS Interact Officers

Waiakea Interact Officers for 2014-15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Front row (left to right):  Kayla Rimando (incoming President), Yoko Hayano, and Lindsay Yamane (outgoing President)
Back row:  Kerry Glass, Noah Kimura (incoming secretary), Miles Jamal Marshall (incoming VP), Ed Hara, and Tim Miyao (club advisor)
Not pictured:  Logon Sato (incoming treasurer)
 
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of Ed Hara and Yoko Hayano, we were able to meet the incoming Waiakea HighSchool Interact Club officers.  Ed Hara introduced them as Rotary's future, and we are grateful to Ed and Yoko,Gail Takaki, Cindy Boots, Sally O'Brien, Mitch Dodo, Lorraine Shin, Kui Costa, Theresa English, Judy Gibson, Biff Kennedy, and Rand Mundo (among others) for their dedication to these young leaders.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kerry presents Tim Miyao, the dedicated Waiakea High School Interact advisor with our club's thank-you gift.
 
Please click here to view the Interact Club's volunteer work at this year's Celebration of Life sponsored by the Hilo Hospice.  This was the first time that they were responsible for launching the lanterns and guiding their path.
Aussie RFE
Australian Friendship Exchange
 

On Thursday, April 24 nine Rotarians from five clubs in District 9640 in Australia landed in Hilo to begin their two week visit to Hawaii.  The visiting Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) team was greeted by their host families to begin a packed schedule of social gatherings, sight seeing and participating in the Merrie Monarch Parade. The RFE team was hosted by five families from the Rotary Club of Hilo and the Rotary Club of South Hilo.  Host families included Richard & Jenny Johnson, Kerry Glass & Susan Munro and Treena Breyfogle from the Hilo club and Wana & Eddie Agasa and Steve and Noko Yoshida from the South Hilo club.

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Have a Heart

Have A Heart -- $1,020 and Climbing

It's not too late to contribute to our Club's Hilo Heart Walk project. Please click here if you'd like to add your two cents.  Wally Wong will be happy to help you if you have any questions.
 
Read to Me

Rotary in Kindergarten

 
Here is our May read aloud selection for the Rotary in Kindergarten read aloud volunteer project. 
 
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2014 Hilo Heart Walk

$1000 Donated

 
Hilo Heart Walk
March 15 2014
 
Wally Wong coordinated our efforts this year and Connie Kurohara designed a beautiful shirt that our members will wear with pride throughout the year as they volunteer.
Waiakea High School Interact Garage Sale

Waiakea Interact Garage Sale a Success

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The Waiakea High School Interact club held a fundraiser Garage Sale on February 15th at the home of Rotarian and Interact sponsor Yoko Hayano. Several club members assisted in the event by working on set-up, pricing and on helping out on sale day. The event raised more than $800 for the Interact Club.

Rice Rally 2014
Hawaii Foodbank - Rice Rally 2014
Puainako Sack and Save
Saturday - Feb 8 - 9am to 3pm
The Hawaii Foodbank needs our donations to feed those in need on the Big Island.  Our District hopes each Rotarian will contribute 2 to 15 lbs of rice.  Each $1 equals a pound of rice).
$200 Challenge
Jon McVickar Challenges Members
"The Hilo Rotary Club Foundation will contribute $200 to the read aloud Program (Rotary in Kindergarten) if three other members will match that amount," was Jon McVickar's challenge to his fellow rotarians at this week's meeting. 
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Wear Red
For more than 10 years, the American Heart Association has sponsored National Wear Red Day to raise awareness in the fight against heart disease in women.  Please wear red to our meeting on Feb 7th.
 
East Hawaii Rotary Clubs Host International Visitors
Posted by Robert Hanley on Jan 27, 2013

Rotary Club of Hilo hosted a multi-club steak fry at Wailoa State Park in Hilo on Janurary 28, 2013 to welcome fellow rotarians from Thailand, Taiwan, China, Russia and Alaska. 

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All five East Hawaii Rotary Clubs combined efforts to house, transport and plan sightseeing events for the guests. A lot of credit should be given to Treena Breyfogle and her committee for taking on the task of organizing all aspects of hosting this large international group. Also, special recognition is due to the Rotary Club of Hilo's Social Committee for putting-on another wonderful get together. As stated by Steve Yoshida, these types of Friendship Exchanges and the entire Rotary network of International Service are instrumental at opening our eyes to the world and building toward world peace.

Goodbye to Gui

Rotary Says Goodbye to Gui

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The Rotary Club of Hilo said it's goodbye's to their exchange student from Brazil, Guilherme "Gui" Assencio.  Gui is returning to Brazil next week after an all to short visit to Hawaii.  Shown above with his host families are Rotarians Gail Takaki, Kui Costa, Sally O'Brien and Rand Mundo.  

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Athena Award Winner

Nancy Cabral Honored as Athena Award Winner

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Nancy Cabral was honored by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce as their Athena Award winner for 2013.  This was in recognition for her ongoing contribution to women in business.

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Hilo Heart Walk 2013
Posted by Kerry Glass on Mar 01, 2013

The Rotary Club of Hilo Heart Walk Team

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Rotary Club members and friends turned out on March 2 to show their support for the Hilo Heart Walk.


Merrie Monarch Parade
Posted by Kerry Glass on Apr 05, 2013

Hilo Rotarians Take to the Streets

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Hilo Rotarians, Nancy Cabral and Tom Olcott, joined this Saturday's Merrie Monarch Parade.  Nancy Cabral rode as part of the Hawaii Horse Owners' Association and Rev. Tom Olcott and his wife Lois were representing his Church of the Holy Cross.

Russ Oda Day in Hilo
Posted by Kerry Glass on Apr 19, 2013

Russ Oda Honored at Junior Achievement Fundraiser

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Rotary Club of Hilo member Russ Oda was honored by the Junior Achievement of Hawaii at a fundraiser on Saturday, April 20.  Hundreds attended the event where Russ received accolades from Hawaii County Mayor, Billy Kenoi and State Senator, Gil Kahele, who read a proclamation from Governor Abercrombie proclaiming April 20, 2013 as Russ Oda Day.

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Rotary Club of Hilo presents the inaugural Hilo Brewfest
Posted by Robert Hanley on Apr 21, 2013

The Rotary Club of Hilo introduces the inaugural Hilo Brewfest. Taste great beers crafted by breweries from Hawaii and around the country while you sample foods from Big Island chefs. All this while taking in the breathtaking view of Hilo Bay from the Wainaku Executive Center. Proceeds will benefit charities of the Hilo Rotary Club Foundation, in particular the HHSC Rural Residency Training Program to bring much needed doctors to rural Hawaii. The event is on June 1, 2013, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Wainaku Executive Center. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased from members of the Rotary Club of Hilo or by visiting www.hilobrewfest.com. For your convenience, the Hilo Brewfest website allows you to pay by credit card. For more information, call Bob Hanley at 808-987-7625 or e-mail beer@hilobrewfest.com.Image

Chicken Hekka Night
Posted by Kerry Glass on May 09, 2013

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Another year and another great Chicken Hekka.  The "cook it yourself" event was held on Thursday evening, May 9 at Hilo's Wailoa State Park pavilion and attended by around 60 members and guests. This annual event is one of the club's most popular social events.

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Energizer Awards
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jul 25, 2013
District Governor Phil Sammer Gives Energizer Awards

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Treena Breyfogle and Bob Hanley were selected for a District 5000 Energizer Award by the Rotary Club Hilo's Board of Directors for their extraordinary efforts in making the first annual Hilo Brewfest a resounding success.  Pictured above are (l to r) Club President, Kerry Glass; Bob Hanley, Treena Breyfogle, and District Governor Phil Sammer.

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Hiroshima South Visit
Posted by Kerry Glass on Aug 18, 2013

Hiroshima South Sister Club Visit 

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Our sister club from Japan, Hiroshima South, arrived on Thursday, August 15 for a brief two day visit.  The group consisted of 16 adults and nine students.  A welcome Steak Fry was held at Wailoa State Park on the evening of their arrival.  On Friday some of the the adults were treated to golf in Volcano and others did a short tour of Hilo and Volcano Nat'l Park.  On Friday evening the adults attended a farewell pot luck at the home of Helene and Harvey Tajiri. They departed for Kona on Saturday morning.

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Hilo Medical Center Presented Check
Posted by Kerry Glass on Sep 05, 2013

Hilo Medical Center Foundation Presented Check

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The Rotary Club of Hilo and the Hilo Rotary Club Foundation presented the Hilo Medical Center Foundation with a check for $13, 574.08 from the proceeds of the Hilo Brewfest which was held in June. Pictured above present the check (l to r) are Club President Kerry Glass, Hilo Brewfest Founder Bob Hanley, Medical Center Foundation Director Lori Rogers, Past Club President Alan Kusunoki and Hilo Rotary Club Foundation Chairman John McVickar.

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Paul Harris Society Inductees
Posted by Kerry Glass on Sep 19, 2013

New Paul Harris Society Members Honored

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The club welcomed three new members into the Paul Harris Society at it's meeting on September 20th.  Assistant District Governor Dave Hurd honored Russ Oda, Jenny Johnson and Richard Johnson for their ongoing contributions and commitment to The Rotary Foundation.

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Get The Drift and Bag It!
Posted by Kerry Glass on Sep 20, 2013

Waiakea High School's Interact Club Cleans Up

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The Interact Club from Waiakea High School and their club sponsors were joined by the Rotaract Club from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Rotary club members from the Rotary Club of Hilo and the Hilo Bay Rotary Club to clean up Liliuokalani Park.  On Saturday, September 21 starting at 8:00 am the 50 plus "trash baggers" fanned out across the park to help clean up our aina.

Walk a Mile Winners
Posted by Kerry Glass on Oct 25, 2013

Team End Polio Now Wins Team Prize

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Members from the three Hilo Rotary Clubs and the UH Hilo Rotaract Club participated in the annual YWCA Walk a Mile In Her Shoes against domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.  The "End Polio Now" team won first prize for collecting the most team contributions.  

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Waiakea HS Interact Thank You
Posted by Robert Hanley

RYLA attendees from Waiakea High School thank the Rotary Club of Hilo

Members of the Waiakea High School Interact Club sent this thank you card to President Alan Kusunoki of the Rotary Club of Hilo to thank the Rotarians for their time and support for the RYLA camp at Kilauea Military Camp in Volcano.

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Youth Exchange Student Arrives
Posted by Kerry Glass

Youth Exchange Student Guilherme "Gui" Assêncio Arrives in Hilo

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Rotary Club of Hilo's inbound Youth Exchange student, Guilherme Assêncio, from Brazil, arrived at the Hilo airport on Tuesday evening, Aug 6 where he was met by his host families for the year and other Rotarians.

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Russ Oda Honored by Junior Achievement
Posted by Kerry Glass

Hilo Rotarian, Russ Oda, honored by Junior Achievement of Hawaii and inducted into its Hawaii Business Hall of Fame.  

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Russ shown above along with the two other inductees were honored by the State Legislature and at a banquet on March 8.

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$2500 Presented to Residency Program
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jun 21, 2012
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Rotary Helps Residency Program
 
The Hilo Rotary Club Foundation presented the Hilo Medical Center Foundation's director, Lori Rodgers, with $2,500 for the hospital's residency program.  Details about the donation can be found in the June 22 edition of the Lava Flow.
Taiwan Rotary Clubs Visit Hilo
Posted by Kerry Glass on Feb 20, 2012
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Taiwan D3480 Rotary Clubs Visit East Hawaii

See the February 17 Lava Flow for details...
Rotary Club of Hilo Donates Backpacks to County Police Drive
Posted on Aug 02, 2016
Officer Van Reyes of the Hawaii County Police Dept. accepting the backpacks
 
For the second year, The Rotary Club of Hilo purchased new backpacks for keiki at women's shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities around the Big Island. This year, the Club was able to obtain 84 backpacks ranging in styles from small, star-studded Kindergarten sizes to rugged camo patterned packs for older students.
 
The Police Department promotes an annual backpack drive, offering all Police Stations as drop-off points for donations.  The collected backpacks are then delivered to HOPE Services Hawai'i (formerly known as the Office of Social Ministry) for distribution to area keiki.
 
"Backpacks have been identified as the most requested non-food item for charities in Hawaii," said the Hope Services website.  This is the eighth year that this worthwhile project has been gathering and distributing backpacks to deserving children.
 
"Once we heard about the need," said Reese Mates, Rotary Club of Hilo's Community Service Chairperson, "we jumped right on the bandwagon.  Thanks go out to Mike Meyers, one of our members, for bringing the project to us," concluded Mates.
 
The Rotary Club of Hilo, celebrating its 96th Anniversary this year, meets nearly every Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  Anyone interested in more information about Rotary in general and this club in particular should click on CONTACT US to leave a message.
East Hawaii Area Rotarians Work Together on a "Shovel-Ready" Project for BISAC
Posted on Aug 11, 2016
 
Four area Rotary Clubs, along with friends and family members gathered together with students from Waiakea High Interact Club on a misty morning in the Shipman Business Park to help BISAC (Big Island Substance Abuse Council).
 
Since 1964, BISAC has been inspiring individuals and families to reclaim and enrich their lives in the wake of the ravages of substance abuse. They offer a continuum of services that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the ever-changing behavioral health field. One of the more visual and exciting projects is a 3 acre site that is being developed to teach participants about growing food while helping them learn marketable job skills.  Food grown in the garden will become part of a culinary project that includes selling off of a BISAC Food Truck, "Big Island Fusion".
 
The garden, however, was in need of gravel spreading and garden bed painting.  The Rotary Club of South Hilo led the coordination of other area clubs including The Rotary Club of Hilo, The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay and The Rotary Club of Volcano, assembling more than 50 hardworking Rotarians and family.  Sweating in the sun and enjoying the passing misty rain, this group of volunteers moved 60 tons of gravel onto walking areas and helped to paint the garden infrastructure.
"We are especially proud of our 'labyrinth' at this location," said Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita, CEO of BISAC.  "Unlike a maze, our labyrinth is a circular path that individuals can easily walk to the center. Along the way, 25 signs with short messages allow for contemplation and inspiration as the person walks the path.  Our adults and adolescent participants particularly enjoy this feature," said Preston-Pita.
"Our East Hawaii Rotary Clubs were honored to be able to support BISAC and its Therapeutic Garden through our All Rotarian Work Day.   The mission and work of BISAC aligns so well with the values of Rotary and the turn out today was awesome.  It is a blessing to us knowing that we had a small part in the development of this special place,"  said Randy Kurohara, Community Projects Chair for South Hilo Club.
 
Learn more about BISAC at www.biscac.org.
Welcome Five New Members
 
Beginning its 96th year on July 1, the Rotary Club of Hilo welcomed five new members at a recent Friday noon meeting.  This club, a part of Rotary International, follows the main purposes of Rotary: 1; to improve communities locally and around the world;  2. to encourage high ethical standards in business and the professions; and 3.  to advance international understanding and peace.  Rotary is made up of local business, professional and civic leaders who meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships and though that, get things done in our community and in the world.

"As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, we would like to build our membership to 100," said the Club's President Randy Hart. "100 members to celebrate 100 years of service to our local community and the world," said Hart.

Jen Tanouye, a retired office manager has been involved in many local events and non-profits in the Hilo area.  She is looking forward to the club's many service projects on tap for the year.

Jeremiah Leonard, the president of Sun Construction, Inc. also joined Rotary to assist with community projects and believes that it is important to help our many area concerns.

Malcolm K.L. Chun brings a background of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach to the club and is currently advancing his studies at the Hawaii Community College.  He hopes to participate with youth, vocational service foundations and club service.

Dustin J. Acdal is the club's first Corporate Associate member from Lex Brodie's Tire and Service Company.  He brings his media experience to the club and wants to help youth and participate in the club's community service projects.

Anita Tatum, Marketing Director, carries the full membership for Lex Brodies.  She has been a major helper at the club's Brewfest for many years and intends to continue helping where she can.

"We're glad to welcome such high energy members to our growing club," said Hart. "Each brings skills we need to benefit our community and the world," concluded Hart.

If you are interested in visiting our club on a Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian, please log on to our website: hilorotary.org and leave a message on the CONTACT US page.

Caption:  Five new members of the Rotary Club of Hilo were inducted at a recent club meeting.  (l-r) Jen Tanouye, Jeremiah Leonard, Malcolm K.L. Chun, Dustin J. Acdal and Anita Tatum. All are planning to assist the club's many service projects.
Lots going on!
Posted on Oct 26, 2016
DICTIONARIES:  over 320 dictionaries distributed to 3rd grade students in 11 schools
 
HEELS:  Mitch Roth and Wally Wong show off their heels at the Oct 22 WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES
 
 
INTERACT and ROTARACT at WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES
 
NEW GUY:  Pat Guillen, UHH Athletic Director
 
NEW GUYS:  (l-r) Elle Lee, Sam Butler and Ketura Waiki, all of Coldwell Banker Day Lum
 
POLIO:  Club members take a moment to recognize World Polio Day, Oct 24 at the WALK  on the 22nd.
 
READING IN KINDERGARTEN:  Over 400 kids in Kindergarten in 22 classrooms heard about "Pumpkin Town" in Reading in Kindergarten.
 
COTTAGE:  Helping clean up the cottage rooms for the incoming new Residents in Training at the Hilo Medical Center.
November in Rotary
Posted on Dec 06, 2016

New Member: Mary Bicknell - Big Island Book Buyers

Rotary Rice Rally: On Saturday, November 18 at the downtown  KTA SuperStores. Rotarians kindly asked shoppers to donate one bag of rice to give to the Salvation Army. Six hours later, 380 pounds of rice was delivered and stocked at the Salvation Army location in Hilo. Pictured here is Club Member Nancy Cabral with ashopping cart overflowing with bags of rice with even more bags stacked on an adjoining table
 

Turkey Shredding:  Nov. 19 ~ Club Members, High School and College Students help shred cooked turkey for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving meals.
 
Baskets:  Nov. 21 ~ Rotarians and Waiakea HS Interact helped make Door Prize Gift Baskets tor the Salvation Army Thanksgiving Dinner.
 
Mehana:  Nov. 10 ~ Checking out Mehana Brewery for our Brewfest Ticket Sale Day, and, oh, yeah, the beer!
 

Gandy: Nov. 4 ~  BG (R) Gandy gave us an inspiration speech for Veterans' Day. Then the next day, Saturday, Nov. 5,  Rotarians lined up and marched in Hilo's  Veteran's Day Parade in downtown.
Celebrating the Life of Theresa English
Posted by Kerry Glass on Dec 17, 2016
 
Theresa Marie English
May 21, 1950 - October 24, 2016
 
Today we celebrated the life of our former member, Theresa English.  The service was held at the Hilo Coast United Church of Christ in Honomu where she was a member since moving to Hawaii in 2009.  Theresa joined our club in 2010 and was active in numerous fund raisers and community projects as well as serving on the board of our club's foundation. Her smile and enthusiasm will be missed.
 
Hilo Rotary Welcomes the 2017
NEW MEMBERS:
Eric Anderson, Pastor of United Church of Christ
 
Genie Phillips, Realtor at Coldwell Banker, Day Lum
 
 
GREAT TALKS AT CLUB MEETINGS:
Jan. 12 ~ Palace Theater.. What could be more fun than a Silent Movie Membership Mixer at the
Historic Palace Theater?  Dressing up in 1920s Flapper dresses! 
 
Jan. 20 ~ Club Member Mike Meyers gives his talk "I'm a Loser"
 
A year ago, Mike was overweight, had high blood pressure and Diabetes. Through diet and with the encouragement of THE BLUE ZONES PROJECT that encourages people to get out and walk... Mike has LOST 101 pounds, has his blood pressure down to normal and his Diabetes under control! 

Congrats and thanks for sharing, Mike! Sadly... none of the men dressed up!
 
Jan. 27 ~ Visiting PTA Garrison Command
 
Sergeant Major Thomas E. Campbell spoke to our club about the rigors of managing the Pohakuloa  Training Area.  A really interesting part of his talk was about their Stewardship of the Land up on the mountain. Campbell spoke about the 20 endangered plants and 4 endangered animals that PTA works to protect and even expand.  In addition, PTA oversees nearly 1200 Cultural Sites within their 132,000 acreage.  Helping in the fight against both plant and animal invasive species, hiring local Hawaiian Practitioners to manage and preserve sensitive sites and developing resources to utilize solar and possible geo-thermal alternatives makes PTA a credit to our community.
 
 
CLUB MEMBERS DOING GREAT THINGS:
During 3 weeks in December and January  ~ Club Members Richard and Jenny Johnson worked with a handful of other volunteers to count all of the nesting albatross on the 3 islands in Midway Atoll.  Working in sectors, the team counted over 500,000 active nests.  Richard and Jenny have been leading this count every year since 2000.
 
Jan. 14 ~ Club Member Ed Hara was awarded one of the Boy Scouts of America's highest honors... the Silver Beaver!  Awarded to registered Scouting adults, this award recognizes Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.
A December to Remember!
Honoring our 57 year Member, Bobby Fujimoto
Our December 16th's noon-time meeting was a celebration of our distinguished member Bobby Fujimoto's 57 years in our Rotary Club!

Bobby's long career and biography were told to the Club by his son, Mike. Bobby represents the third generation of the Fujimoto family to lead Hawaii Planing Mill, now known as HPM Building Supply. The company was started in 1921 by Bobby's grandfather. Bobby was there when HPM was destroyed by two tsunamis and saw it recover. He was an owner when the United States government took it over during World War II, and his family took the company back at the end of the war.
 
In 1959 Bobby began a profit sharing plan with HPM employees, and in 1977 Bobby's was one of the first Hawaii companies to start an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). HPM Building Supply became 100% employee owned in 2006.
 
Bobby's life and work exemplify his belief in Rotary's FOUR WAY TEST of things we think, say and do... "Is it the TRUTH?" - "Is it FAIR to all concerned?" - "Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?" and "Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
 
 
Mayor Harry Kim was inducted to the Club as an Honorary Member... Welcome Back, Harry!
 
Shane Okimoto, Pastor of the Waiakea Uka Bible Church was inducted into the Club by Sponsor Helene Tajiri and welcomed by President Randy Hart.
 
 
Dec. 7 ~ The Sunao Wada Foundation members met to make plans for the new year.  This unique foundation works in conjunction with our Sister Rotary Club, the Hiroshima South Club in Japan to perpetuate goodwill, understanding and peace.  Youth sponsored by both clubs are able to travel to and experience the culture of each other's country and community.  Last August, 13 students and adults from Hiroshima joined our Club at our annual summertime Steak Fry. This foundation, started in 1990 by Russ Oda and Dr. Sunao Wada of Hiroshima South, has brought many Japanese students to Hilo and sent local students to Japan.
 
 
Dec. 14 ~ For over 30 years, our Club Members have served up a Holiday Meal at the Kamana Senior Citizens' Center.
 
 

Dec. 3 ~ Waiakea High School Interact Club was out in force to help with the Salvation Army's Bell Ringing! Thanks for your hard work!
 
 
Dec. 17 ~ Following the excellent example of the Waiakea Interact students, Club members turned out in force to ring the bell for the Salvation Army's annual fundraising drive.
Rotary Club... out in the community


Feb. - Dr Seuss Reading!
Club members fanned out to elementary classrooms to read a Dr. Seuss book during the Dr. Seuss month-long celebration.
 

Feb. 17 was "Take a Selfie with your Rotary Pin On"  Yep, even Rotarians take Selfies!
 

Feb. 18 - Laupahoehoe Beach & Park Clean- Up Core members of the Rotary Club of Hilo assisted the Laupahoehoe Hui Makua and LPCS Interact Club with their annual Matson Ka Ipu Aina clean up at Laupahoehoe Beach Park.  Matson will donate funds to the Laupahoehoe Public Charter School.
 
Come join us at our next Matson Clean- Up at Rotary Park in Hilo on Saturday, April 15.
 

Feb. 20 - Good fun and good food at Aomatusu Tonkatsu - at our own Club Member Toshi Aoki's Restaurant
 

Feb. 24-25-26 - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - You've seen and read about our Interact Clubs... Just what are these clubs?  The Interact (High School) and Rotaract (College) are models of Rotary, an opportunity for students to learn leadership and community involvement.  RYLA is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary Clubs here on the Big Island where high school students develop their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections. It's an intensive weekend developing our future community, national and international leaders of tomorrow.
 
SPECIAL SALUTE TO COACH JIMMY YAGE

Honoring our 51 year Member, Jimmy Yagi
Our February 3rd's noon-time meeting was a celebration of our distinguished member Coach Jimmy Yagi's 51 years in our Rotary Club! Former Club Members Tom Brown and Eric Yoshimura along with
current Club Member Pat Guillen, UH-Hilo's Athletic Director recounted Coach Jimmy's long career and amazing biography.  A humorous Power Point of "Jimmy Through the Years" was presented by Tom Brown, starting with photos of young Jimmy, Jimmy in high school and in college. Moving on to all Jimmy's numerous accomplishments, Tom spoke about Coach's worldwide basketball camps, not only here in Hilo, but also in Japan, China, Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Jimmy was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Randy Hart, current Club President.  Jimmy shared that his mother often told him that "to succeed you cannot do it by yourself -- you need the help of others, and you need to help others."


NEW MEMBERS:

Anna Liu - Happy Valley Chinese Seafood Restaurant
 

Janet Montrose - Self Employed, Skin Care and Crafts
 

Connie Waiau - Marriage and Family Therapist
April 2017
NEW MEMBER IN APRIL!
Beverly Heikes - Read Aloud Coordinator & Trainer
 
OUR CLUB GOES INTERNATIONAL!
April 7 - Report of grant monies going to Taiwan
Stew Hussey and Anna Lui tell the club about the club grant monies that helped two projects in Taiwan. Anna is holding the certificate... and she read it for us!
 
April 21 ~ Hokule’a Talk by Wally Wong
At a club meeting at the YMCA, Wally regaled the members with tales and photos of the canoe’s
48 mile journey through the Panama Canal.
 
 
April 27 ~ We’re visited by World Travelers!
Rotarians Sita Rupalcheti from Kathmandu, Nepal and Gunther and Helena Acheson from Remstal, Germany visit our club and present Rotary “banners”. Our own club members take “our” banner (seen being held by Sita) to exchange when they travel to other clubs on the mainland and internationally.
 
OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
April 1 ~ Hilo Heart Walk
Club Rotarians are always ready for a Walk to help a great cause.
Waiakea Interact students also participated.
 
April 8 ~ Laupahoehoe Music Festival
Out in Laupahoehoe helping a great festival to raise funds for the Laupahoehoe Charter School.
 
April 15 ~ Rotary Park in Hilo
It takes a lot of “down n’ dirty” Rotarians to make significant headway on an overgrown park!  
BIG MAHALO to Matson for the financial backing in their KA IPU AINA (Caring for the Land) campaign!
 
April 22 ~ Merrie Monarch Parade
Our own Nancy Cabral rides in this year’s parade and is accompanied by club members who walked with the Rotary contingent. Yep, members are walking again!
 
April 30 ~ Lantern Launch at Hospice of Hilo
Our busy Waiakea High Interact and UHH Rotaract students join forces at the Celebration of LIfe
ceremony at Wailoa State Park.
 
During May ~ Reading in Kindergarten
Over 400 keiki in local schools will hear about how “Giraffes Can’t Dance” as club members fan out to read to classes.  And all students will receive their own copy of the book! Member Glenn Harris tells us about the fun book for May Reading!
 
 
March for Rotary
NEW MEMBERS:
 
Cathy Gray -- Medical Technologist, Retired
 
Chris McNichols -- Solar Solutions
 
 
 
 
 
HONORING RUSS ODA -- 51 years of Rotary Service
 
Honoring our 51 year Member, Russ Oda
 
Our March 3rd noon-time meeting was a celebration of our distinguished member Russ Oda's 51 years in our Rotary Club!
 
If you open your eyes as you drive around Hilo and the vicinity, you're going to see many of the signature buildings that architect Russ designed.  Wailoa Center, Pana'ewa Zoo, Waiakea High School, The Joint Astronomy Center and Keck Observatory Headquarters, to name just a few.  Russ has also been an active member of the Rotary Club of Hilo as a past President of the club, and the founder of our sister Rotary Club of Hiroshima South, in 1970.  He is also an active member of the Sunao Wada Foundation that works to bring Japanese students to Hilo and Hilo students to Hiroshima. Russ' generosity and openhearted friendliness shows his many years of living a Rotary inspired life.  Thank you, Russ Oda for all you continue to do for all of us!
 
 
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY
 
March 9 - Membership Mixer / Mardi Gras at Kenichi's Restaurant.  Fun (and games!) were on tap for club members, spouses and new visitors.
 
March 18 - Hawaii D5000 District Assembly Club members joined Rotarians from the four other East Hawaii clubs for a day of learning, sharing and, of course, good food.  Informative Roundtables and targeted Workshops made the day an intensive look at what Rotary is, what it is doing, and what our District plans to do in the future. Good turnout from our Club!
 
March 19 - Big Island International Marathon -- Club Rotarians and spouses helped to run one of the "Relief / Water" booths at this popular event.
 
March 23 - Our Annual Chili Cook Off--  How would you decide which is the BEST Chili from 15 to choose from?  And then there was the Dessert  Contest!  Good food, good fun, and plenty fellowship.
HILO BREWFEST MAKES IT TO THE BIG TIME!
Wow!  The National Geographic Travel's BEST SUMMER TRIPS 2017 just mentioned our Brewfest! If you are planning to go.. get your tickets now at our website... www.hilobrewfest.com and we'll see you there!
May 2017
May 11 ~ Rotary Park in Hilo ~ Our "Golden Three"
   The meeting held on Thursday, 5/11/17, was no ordinary club meeting. It was a very special event that celebrated our distinguished “GOLDEN THREE” of the Rotary Club of Hilo, Bobby Fujimoto, Jimmy Yagi, and Russ Oda (seen here with President Randy Hart and Mayor Harry Kim standing behind one of the three loulu palm trees planted in their honor). These amazing gentlemen have given over 150 years in service through the Rotary Club of Hilo! The meeting venue was just as exceptional since it was held at the Rotary Park a.k.a. Kuhio Kalanianaole Park in Hilo.
   According to President Randy Hart, the Rotary Park was initiated 14 years ago, in 2003, when hard working members of the Rotary Club took the lead to invest sweat equity and clean up the once squalid park; hence its alias,
Rotary Park. In fact, most recently, club members took the time to tame the canopied hala tree that stands tall & proud overlooking the water’s edge. It is this kind of action that is reflective of the very heart and soul of the club and its collective theme of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
   According to President Randy, Bobby Fujimoto’s monetary contributions allowed the club to extend its service and aid both locally and internationally. Jimmy Yagi’s basketball prowess has afforded him the opportunity to impress core values and work ethics upon the youth of Hawaii. As for Russ Oda, he was christened by President Randy as the “young one” in the group; however, don’t be fooled by his youth because Russ has architecturally put his stamp around Hilo town. Aside from designer talents, in 1970, Russ took on a key role in founding our club’s connection to the Rotary Club of South Hiroshima.
   After presenting the “Golden Three” with certificates of Appreciation, Mayor Kim noted that we all should leave this place that we call home a better place. These “Golden Three” have done just that.
 
May 5 ~ Club Members support the Friends!
The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii hold a special place in the hearts of our club.  Eight Rotary members sponsored a table at the Friends’ Gala. The "Friends" are one of the two beneficiaries of the upcoming 2017 Hilo Brewfest.
 
May 6 ~ Brewfest Ticket Sale Day

The public wants tickets to our annual fundraiser (coming up on June 24!), so club members held a TICKET SALE DAY at Mehana Brewery... tickets and free beer sampling!  Yeah!
 
May 19 ~ “Glam Bags” Report

About 60 bags (purses) were filled with toiletries and hygiene products and will be distributed through Hope Services to women in need in East Hawaii!
 
Rotary Supports College Scholarships!

Victoria Magana Ledesima (top photo) was our club’s 2017 $1000 UH Hilo Scholarship awardee.  
Nicholas Ohara (seen here with his parents)  was awarded a $5000 Hawaii Rotary Youth Scholarship towards his goal of a major in Mechanical Engineering. I mua Students!
 
Read more...
What A Year!  July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
IT WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR OUR CLUB...
HERE'S TO ANOTHER ONE!
Mahalo Randy Hart for a Year of hard work and fun!
Aloha, Steve Handy Jr., incoming Club President for our next exciting year!
 
 
CLUB AWARDS FROM DISTRICT 5000
 
District 5000 GOVERNOR’S CITATION
First Place in MEMBERSHIP - 22 new members!
(Connie Ichinose, Membership Chair shown here
First Runner-Up in COMMUNITY SERVICE
First Runner-Up in YOUTH SERVICES
 
 
 
YOUTH SERVICES
INTERACT (for High School) and ROTARACT (for University)
students help develop our next generation of leaders!
Support of Two Interact Clubs, Waiakea HS and Laupahoehoe Charter, with over 100 members!
Co-support of UHH Rotaract Club
Hiroshima Interact visitation - World Youth Exchange
Support of Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
College Scholarships awarded to High School students
Over 400 keiki in Kindergarten are read to by club members and then given free books
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL
WE REACHED OUT INTERNATIONALLY!
- $9000 Shredder to Thailand for
   agricultural development
- $4000 to Taiwan for literacy
- $3687 (139% of goal) to help eradicate Polio world-wide
 
 
 
VOCATIONAL
OVER 156 YEARS OF SERVICE IN OUR CLUB... our "GOLDEN THREE"
Bobby Fujimoto of HPM, Coach Jimmy Yagi and Russ Oda, Architect,
seen here with Mayor Harry KIm and President Randy Hart
MEMBER BUSINESS VISITS
Instead of attending a weekly meeting, club members visited many member businesses including the Palace Theater, YMCA, The Water Department and Hawaiian Fresh Products Papaya Processing Plant.
 
 
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
PUTTING OUR “BACKS INTO IT!”
Our community always needs people to get out and actually work to make a difference!
Matson Ka Ipu Aina Project - cleaning up our local community beaches and areas
Helped shovel and paint at BISAC’s Keaau garden
Served Seniors at a Kamana Luncheon
Helped with Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving lunch
Rotary Park (Kalanianaole) Clean up, tree planting, and slabs poured for new benches
Laupahoehoe Beach Clean up
Hilo Medical Residency Cottage Cleanup
Invasive ginger eradication in Volcano National Park
 
 
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY'S EVENTS
Walk a Mile in her Shoes - YWCA Domestic Abuse Awareness
American Heart Walk
Walk to End Alzheimers
Big Island International Marathon Aid Station
Queen Liliu’okalani Birthday in the Park keiki booth
Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving luncheon
T-shirt sales at Laupahoehoe Music Festival
“Rice Rally” at KTA SuperStores
Appearing in the annual Merrie Monarch Parade
Our Club’s Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing brings in over $1700
 
 
COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Our annual HILO BREWFEST provides a fun festival for our community and allows our Club to financially support many community non-profits and organizations.  
Where do the profits go?
$13,850 to the Hilo Medical Foundation’s Residency Program
$13,850 to the Friends of the Children’s JusticeCenter of East Hawaii, supporting children of abuse
350 dictionaries to area 3rd grade students
Donating Library books to Naalehu School
Donating Gardening books to Hawaii Island Home for Recovery
Donating to “Camp Agape” for keiki of incarcerated parents
- Over 60 “Glam Bags” for homeless women with needed hygiene products through Hope Services
Dollars to “buy” a solar panel at the Palace Theater
And many other projects!
 
 
AND, OF COURSE, FUN!
ROTARY ISN’T ALL WORK AND MEETINGS...
THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN, TOO!
Chicken Hekka "cook-your-own-dinner”
Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Competition
WikiFresh food, selfies and more at this “mixer”
Celebrating our 96 years of Rotary combined with a Holiday Mixer at the Wainaku Executive Center.
Silent Movie Night at the Palace in costume “mixer”
Mardi Gras Party in costume ( of course!) “mixer”
Historic Lorraine Penn/Shin Home visit and tour
Aomatsu Tonkatsu dining, cooked by our own club member
Wai Oli Lounge get together and “mixer”
Beer Sampling at Mehana Brewery
Yacht Club Party with our Japanese sister club
 
 
 
A Busy July, 2017
A Busy July, 2017
New Members
 
Kathy Borer, Social Worker IV
 
Deana Scott, Business Owner, Accountant
 
Leo Myers, Myers Integrated Tech, Inc.
 
Susan Myers, Myers Integrated Tech, Inc.
 
Where do all our members come from?
Thanks to our hardworking Membership Committee, lots of new people are getting to know us by visiting a meeting or as an invited guest at one of our Membership Mixers!
Interested?  Send us a message through this website. Click on CONSTANT US.
 
And, of course, new members find us at our Annual Hilo Brewfest!
Thanks to all of you (1300+ people!) who supported our annual signature fundraising event!  We are again sharing the profits with the Hilo Medical Primary Care Physician Training Program and The Friends of the Children’s Center of East Hawaii.
 
Helping our Community
 
July 16 ~ Do you enjoy sitting on a park bench, gazing out at the bay? Club members helped to first pour concrete slabs and then install THREE benches at “Rotary Park”. Enjoy these new additions!
This park is the first one on the left after you turn onto Kalanianaole in Keaukaha.
 
July 22 ~ Keeping our beautiful Island of Hawai’i clean!
Weed pulling prevents unwanted invasive species being transported up to higher elevation areas of
Maunakea. 29 bags of fireweed won’t make it up towards the top of our amazing mountain!
 
Learning About our Community at Weekly Meetings
 
July 7 ~ Hilo High School Robotics Students tell us about their amazing progress in competition on statewide and national levels... and show off their robot to interested club members.
 
July 14 ~ Chris Ridley of the Alzheimers Association talks about knowing the “Ten Signs of Alzheimers”. (Don’t worry if you lost your keys!)
 
July 21 ~ Olivia Rounds of Hilo Bike Hub tells us of her solo adventures crossing the US on her bike! Member Mike Meyers introduces Olivia and shares some “bike-care” advice.
 
July 28 ~ Coaches Daniel Kuramoto and Misty Ambrosio tell us about “Surf Soccer Club" that trains keiki and helps to get them on the road to success... in soccer and life.
AUGUST RCOH !
A BUSY MONTH OF AUGUST!
New Member!
Skye Czember
 
 
Having Fun with Rotary... just one of the reasons we have so many new members!
 
August 27 - Volcano Winery
Our club joined with other Rotary Clubs for a fun afternoon of wine tasting and... yes, barbeque! A great way to spend a casual Sunday afternoon.
 
We're Out and About In August!
August 6 ~ Memorial Flowers sent to Hiroshima as a token of goodwill and friendship
Since 1971, our club has sent flowers for the Cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in remembrance of the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima.
 
August 19 ~ Helping at the Volcano Run
Aid stations are an important part of any run, and we were there to help out in Volcano!
 
August 19 ~ Hitomi Gilliam Bamboo Prep
Queen Lili’uokalani’s birthday is coming up and large floral arrangements are going to need prepared bamboo.  Club members are helping out!
 
August 19 ~ Helping our fellow Rotarians
with a big painting project at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery
“Many Hands” make the work go quickly, especially when you are painting!
 
Our Youth are Important!
August 4 ~ “STEM” Student Akil Marshall
Akil tells us how our club is advancing STEM education by co-sponsoring NexTech STEM workshops for Hawaii Island Youth.
 
An Interesting Presentation at our Meeting
August 18 ~ Club member Chris Tamm shares slides of his trip to Borneo
Seen here is the unusual “upside down house” that is only one of several strange upside down life-size items found in Borneo!
BACKPACKS FOR KEIKI
 
The Club donates backpacks and water bottles for deserving keiki
The Hawaii County Police Department again staged a “Backpack Drive” for needy and homeless children to start off the new school year on a good note.  The Rotary Club of Hilo joined in again this year, supplying 102 backpacks along with a water bottle included in each pack.
 
“It’s an important part of feeling like a child ‘belongs’… is no different than other kids,” said the Club’s Community Service director, Wally Wong. “Research shows that underprivileged keiki do better in school when they are not ‘singled out’ as different.  Having a brand new backpack may seem like a small thing, but its effect can be powerful,” concluded Wong.
 
“The Rotary Club of Hilo is proud to continue this annual donation,” said Steve Handy Jr, current Club President. “I figure that it took around 80 volunteer hours to shop, buy and assemble the backpacks and water bottles. And we estimate that the value was somewhere around $1000.  That’s a lot of savings for needy kids and a great annual project for our club,” said Handy.
Read more...
Work and Play in October, 2017!
BREWFEST PROCEEDS AWARDED
TO TWO LOCAL NON-PROFITS!
The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii awarded $11,350 from the Brewfest 2017!
 
And ANOTHER $11,350 to the Hilo Medical Foundation's Residency Program!
 
October 7 ~ The Rotary International challenge to all clubs to plant a tree for every member...continues!
Rotary members work to plant 40 Ulu trees at Kai Wa Farms.  We’ve now planted a tree for all our members... but that won’t stop us now!
 
October 11 ~ A party to wish goodbye to one of our long time members who is moving to the Mainland... Cindy Boots!   We’re sad to lose her, but happy that she will be MUCH closer to her beloved Green Bay Packers!
 
All during October ~ Club Members visit many third grade classes and distribute the newest version Student Dictionaries.
These personal dictionaries also contain a huge additional amount of information...
about the 50 states, the Constitution, the Presidents and much, much more!
 
October 28 ~ YWCA’s WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES
Jen joins our manly men in their girly shoes for the mile walk around downtown Hilo. Congrats to Mike Meyer (second from left) who won the 2nd place overall fundraiser award! Way to go, Mike!
 
October 31 ~ We return to The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Palace!
Prepared with our Participation Kits, club members shout at the movie and take a Selfie with “Riff Raff” in the Palace lobby.  Great fun!
 
November 11-18 ~ Ride to End Polio
In 1988, Rotary International started a campaign to eliminate Polio. At that time there were over 350,000 cases every year in the world.  As of RIGHT NOW, there are only 11 cases worldwide!  But that isn’t good enough... ZERO is the magic number... and you can help:
Log on to www.rotaryd5000.org and click on RIDE FOR POLIO!
 
September was another Busy Month!
Yep... four new members!
Maureen Poirier ~ Insurance Industry, Retired
 
Brooke Higa ~ Student Pharmacist
 
Brittney Luna ~ Student Pharmacist
 
Atsuko Winston ~ Coldwell Banker Day Lum
 
Help Us End Polio World Wide!
 
In 1988, Rotary International started a campaign to eliminate Polio. At that time there were over 350,000 cases every year in the world.  As of RIGHT NOW, there are only 11 cases worldwide!  But that isn’t good enough... ZERO is the magic number... and you can help:
Log on to www.rotaryd5000.org and click on RIDE FOR POLIO!
 
OUT AND ABOUT IN OCTOBER!
 
September 2 ~ Wouldn’t you want a clean Park
for the Queen’s Birthday?
Rotary members turn out with rakes and brooms to get the Queen Lili’uokalani Gardens all “spiffed” up for the upcoming Birthday Celebration!
 
September 10 ~ Rotary International has challenged Rotary Clubs to plant a tree for every member!
Getting a good start on planting over 90 trees (that’s our membership... and that’s a lot of trees!) are club members planting Ulu trees.
 
September 16 ~ Walk to End Alzheimers
Rotary member Mike Meyer snapped this selfie at the Walk on this beautiful Saturday at the Park!
Thanks, Mike for “Walking the Walk!”.
 
September 17 ~ Rotary District Meeting
It’s important to plan... especially with projects that are local and internationally. 
Club members met with other Rotary Club members to “get the big picture”.
 
September 30 ~ Laupahoehoe and Waiakea High School Interact students and club members help clean up areas in Queen
Lili’uokalani Gardens, Coconut Island and the nearby fishing areas.
This beach clean up was part of the International project “Get the Drift and Bag It”.
 
 
Club Members were very busy in November!
Ride So They Can Walk -
A series of bike rides to raise funds to end polio forever in the world is continuing til the end of the year!
Ride however and wherever you wish. For more information and to register and/or to donate go to the RotaryD5000 website and click on Ride for Polio. It will walk you through the steps. Then ask friends and family to sponsor your ride with donations – 100% of those funds go directly to polio eradication with every dollar being matched 2-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 
 When Rotary began this project in 1988 there were 350,000 cases a year worldwide – this year there have been 16 cases in only 2 countries. Zero is the magic number - Your assistance is needed to eradicate this crippling disease forever. Log on and donate today.
Log on to www.rotaryd5000.org and click on RIDE FOR POLIO!
 
November 9
Fun at our annual Chicken Hekka Party! Our Rotary members were joined by other clubs for a fun and delicious evening of cooking our own food... PLUS HOT SAKE!
 
November 13 ~
You can’t paint a fence until you clean it first!
 
November 18 ~
Waiakea High School Interact students shred cooked turkeys in preparation for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving  luncheon.
 
November 18 ~
Waiakea Middle and High School Interact Clubs wrap items for the
Salvation Army luncheon.
 
November 23 ~
Club Members show up before their own Thanksgiving meals to help dish up a great lunch for residents at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery.
 
November 23 ~
Club Members and Interact students serve up turkey and all the “fixins” at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale on Thanksgiving!
 
November 25 ~
Fence Painting at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery!  Rotary members worked to paint this really tall (and l-o-n-g) fence!
 
November 27 & 28
Body Safety for Keiki Training at the YWCA
Thanks to club member Kathleen McGilvray at the YWCA! It’s important that young children learn body safety and awareness. This is an important curriculum that needs to be available to keiki in our community. Thanks, Rotary members for supporting this effort.
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!
 
 
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.
HRYF 2015 Scholarship Winner
Posted by Kerry Glass on Apr 30, 2015
Rotary Scholarship Winner
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hilo presented their 2015 Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation (HRYF) Scholarship winner, Mary Economy at their May 1 meeting.  Mary is an honors student at Waiakea High School.  She will be going to Boston University in the Fall as a Mechanical Engineering major.
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Class of 2014 - 2015
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jun 05, 2015
RC Hilo - Class of 2014-15
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hilo added it's ninth new member of the year, Johnalyn Nosaka. on June 5. Pictured above is our new members for 2014 - 2015 (back row, l to r) Johnalyn Nosaka, 6/5/15; Mike Meyer, 2/6/15; Reese Mates, 5/8/15; Eric Cohen, 8/29/14; Donnie Demuth, 3/27/15; (front row, l to r) Lisa Sweeney, 2/20/15; Lisa Rantz, 1/9/15; Tina Jimenez, 12/5/14; Marcia Prose, 8/29/14. This has been a great year for membership growth.  
Sandy Song Passes
Posted on Jun 10, 2015
Sandy Song 
 
 
Former member, Sandy Song, lost her battle with cancer and passed away on June 10.  She was an active member of our club from October 2009 to June 2014.  Sandy was a retired judge, lawyer and very active in the Orchid Society.
 
 
Hilo Rotary Installation
Posted by Kerry Glass on Jun 28, 2015
96th President Installed
 
 
President Richard Johnson presided over his last meeting Sunday as he installed Wally Wong as the 96th Club President.  The event was held at the Imiloa Astronomy Center and it was a spectacular evening with good food, live music, Tahitian dancing and the featured speaker, Master Navigator and Captain on the Hokulea, Bruce Blankenfeld.  
 
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Bamboo Fun

Bamboo Fun

 
Rotarians, volunteers from the University of Hawaii Master Gardeners Association, Sierra Club and Friends of Liliuokalani Gardens came together on Saturday July 18th to help thin the overgrown thicket of bamboo in the Liliuokalani Garden Park.  Volunteers worked in pairs cutting the bamboo, hauling it and then stacking it evenly on the truck.  We were able to fill two truckloads of bamboo, which will be chipped for fertilizer at the Mountain Meadows Nursery.
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We Remember Sandy

We Remember Sandy

 
This year, the benefit Preview Party that kicks off the Hilo Orchid Society’s 63rd anniversary Orchid Show and Sale is being held in memory of Sandy Song.  The party is dedicated to the late Song as a tribute to her years of devoted board service to Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, and her avid orchid growing and judging.
“It’s Ku‘ikahi’s way of honoring Sandy,” said party chair Cody Frenz.  “She did so much every year to make the preview party a success.  She donated orchids and wine, sold tickets, and garnered the loyalty of party volunteers.”
 
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Kaumana Cleanup
 
 
 
Hilo Rotarians completed our second clean up of this area in Kaumana with the assistance of members from our UH Hilo Rotaract Club.  Mahalo to Matson Navigation for sponsoring this event and donating $1000 to our Hilo Rotary Club Foundation.

 

Malama Honua
Malama Honua
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.
Alzheimer's

Volunteers Needed-Walk to End Alzheimers

Only a few days left before the Hilo "Walk to End Allzheimers."  Richard Johnson is our team leader, and he urges you to go to the following url:
http://tinyurl.com/oxb65jg
to donate or volunteer to walk.
 
Date:  Saturday, September 26th
Time:  7am check in
Place:  Liliuokalani Gardens
What:  The walk is only 3.2 miles long.
 
Nov 12th - Chicken Hekka Social

Nov 12 Chicken Hekka Social

Would you trust these guys to make you the most delicious chicken hekka?  Of course you would!!
Please join us for our first club social on Thursday, Nov 12th from 6 to 8pm at the lage picnic pavilion at Wailoa State Park. 
 
 
Christmas Child

Nov 16th Operation Christmas Child

Our Waiakea High School Interact Club will be packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child so they can drop them off during the week of Nov 16th to the 23rd.  The Hilo Misionary Churh at 1044 Komohana will be accepting boxes from 3pm to 5pm (M to F).  If you are interested in donating or helping our Interact and Rotaract clubs, please contact Ed Hara, Judy Gibson, or Tammy Silva.
 
Rotaract Club of Port Louis, Mauritius "Live with Dignity"
President Wally Wong presented a check for $2000 from our club and the Honolulu Sunset Club (Oahu) to support the "Live with Dignity" project sponsored by the Rotaract Club of Port Louis, Mauritius..
 
 
Roopesh Koolwant, president of the Rotaract Club of Port Louis, took Wally and several other crew members of the Hokule'a on a tour of their project.   "Live with Dignity" will help 8 families over the next 8 months to fix their homes and water supplies.  The goal is to provide water tanks to the poor, train the homeless with some renovation skills, and help with repairs.  They will be posting videos of their progress on YouTube over the next 8 months.  Our club's contribution of $950 purchased the water tanks for the families.
 
 
 
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UH Hilo 5K Run/Walk
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UH Hilo 5K Holiday Run/Walk
 

Sat Dec 5
UH Hilo Campus Center Plaza
6:00am registration
8:00am 5K Run/Walk

The 5K course is designed to give participants of all ages the chance to explore the UH Hilo campus in a family-friendly, festive run/walk.
Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics East Hawaii High School Delegations and UH Hilo Alumni & Frinds Association outreach activities.
 
April is BUSY

Keiki ID, Aussies, Merrie M, & Trees, Oh My

April is shaping up to be a very busy month for us, and there are so many opportunities to serve.  Here are just a few.
 
Keiki ID volunteers needed (please contact Wally if you'd like to help)
Friday, April 18th
Easter Egg Hunt
Wong Stadium in Hilo
7:00 – 9:00 am
Need 2 volunteers
 
Saturday, April 19th
Work Day – Salvation Army
Outdoor painting gear and help needed
 
Thursday, April 24t
Australian Friendship Exchange
5 club Steak Fry
 
Saturday, April 25th
Merrie Monarch Parade
Wear your T-shirt and join us
 
Kanakaleonui Bird Corridor
Tree Planting
 
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Work Day

April 19 - Our Work Day

Spring has sprung, and our fellow Rotarian Celestine Ruthewein needs our help to spruce up the Salvation Army building.  If you have not signed up yet, please do so.  This activity is in lieu of our weekly meeting, so please come even if it's not for the whole day.  Fellowship and fun will be had by all.
Fiji Literacy Project

Fiji Literacy Project

Our own Steve Handy, Corey Kawamoto, and Wayne "Cowboy" Kaneshiro worked on this year's International Literacy project to the Republic of Fiji. They targeted an isolated district school with minimal to nothing as far as literacy materials. They raised $1500 through club donations and outside resources, and all the money was spent on the purchase of books.   Here are some of the photos from their efforts.
 
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Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9

Appreciate our Teachers

May 5th thru 9th is National Teacher Appreciation Week.  Thanks to Bobby. Biff, and Susan, our Rotary in Kindergarten readers will be expressing our club’s sincere appreciation to the dedicated teachers of the Read-Aloud program. 
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