As 2025 comes to a close, we're filled with gratitude for our Rotary Ê»ohana and the community we're honored to serve. This holiday season, our members have been busy living out "Service Above Self": đ Ringing Bells for Salvation Army Our Rotarians and Waiakea Interactors came together to ring bells for the Salvation Armyâa tradition that warms hearts and supports families in need across HawaiÊ»i Island. đČ Answering the Call for Food Security With food insecurity on HawaiÊ»i Island reaching 40%âthe highest in our stateâour members showed up in force at the recent "Go Cook Um" event, donating cases of food. This is just one of the many ways our club is helping across multiple programs. We're so proud to be part of a community that shows up when it matters most. Mahalo to District Governor Nancy Cabral and all of District 5000 for the inspiring work happening across our islands. Together, we're making a difference. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year filled with service, fellowship, and aloha. Mele Kalikimaka! đș
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Happy Holidays from the Rotary Club of Hilo! 🎄
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2025-12-24 10:00:00Z |
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There are people who walk among us who simply make the world better by being in it. Fire Chief Kazuo Todd was one of those people.  As Rotarians, we talk a lot about "Service Above Self." Kazuo didn't talk about itâhe just did it. Whether leading our fire department through a crisis or showing up to help with a club project, he was the same person: present, humble, and ready to pitch in. People who knew him well talk about his "servant leadership" philosophyâthe idea that a leader's real job is to take care of the people around them. But even those of us who only knew him a little could feel it. A kind word. A quick smile. The way he never seemed too busy or too important to help. How many lives did Kazuo touch over his years of service? There's no way to know. The families kept safe. The firefighters he mentored. The neighbors he servedânot because it was his job, but because that's just who he was. We were lucky to call him a fellow Rotarian. We were lucky to see what a life of purpose and genuine aloha looks like up close. Our club, our community, our islandâwe're all going to miss him. Mahalo, Kazuo. You showed us what service really means. 
Share Your Memories Leave a comment with your favorite memory of Kazuo, or share a photo that captures who he was. This past August, our club got together to celebrate his birthdayâone of those good days you don't forget. If you have moments like that, please share them. Let's remember him together.
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Service Above Self—The Kazuo Todd Way
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Michelle Dumais
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2025-12-15 10:00:00Z |
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Our community is facing a critical moment. With federal funding cuts and the ongoing government shutdown, local food banks are serving more people than ever before â numbers that exceed even what we saw during the height of the pandemic. The need has never been greater! Rotarians are stepping up. The photo below shows cases of food fellow Rotarians dropped off at a recent "Go Cook Um" event â and this doesn't even include the many other programs where our members are contributing! We are incredibly thankful and proud to be part of a community that responds with such generosity.  How You Can Help - Lex Brodies is open and accepting donations as well as many other establishments around the county. Together, we're proving that when government support falters, our community's spirit of aloha rises to meet the challenge.
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Rotarians Answer the Call: Supporting Our Community's Food Banks
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Michelle Dumais
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2025-11-09 10:00:00Z |
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At the Rotary Club of Hilo, we take âService Above Selfâ to heart â but we also know how to have a great time! Our Halloween meeting was full of laughter, creative costumes, and fellowship that reminds us why we love being Rotarians. Amid all the spooky fun, we also celebrated something even more meaningful: presenting donation checks to three incredible local nonprofits â Aloha Ê»Ilio Rescue, YWCA of HawaiÊ»i Island, and Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center â made possible through the success of our annual Brewfest fundraiser. From supporting our community to sharing smiles, weâre proud to live the Rotary spirit every day. Mahalo to everyone who makes it happen! See the full article!
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🎃 Rotary Club of Hilo — Service Above Self (and a Little Spooky Fun!) 👻
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Michelle Dumais
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2025-11-04 10:00:00Z |
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Service Above Self isn't always a beach cleanup or planting a garden. Sometimes it's reaching out and bringing joy to others - and that's exactly what our Pet Therapy program does! Because making a difference in our community comes in all forms - sometimes on four paws! đŸ Click full article to see the pics! đ„°
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Rotarians SERVE - Pet Therapy Edition!
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Michelle Dumais
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2025-10-23 10:00:00Z |
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August 6th, 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, a moment in history that changed the world forever.
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Honoring 80 Years: A Legacy of Peace, Friendship, and Remembrance
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Michelle Dumais
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2025-08-07 10:00:00Z |
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Service Above Self isn't just our motto - it's how we spend our Friday afternoons. We partnered with Hilo Orchid Society to provide FREE admission for veterans, active service members, and first responders to the 71st Annual Hilo Orchid Society Show (July 25-27).
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This is what Service Above Self looks like in action
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2025-07-18 10:00:00Z |
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Our own club member Nancy Cabral celebrated her installation as Hawaii's District 5000 Governor. The event was held at the Alvin "Al" Cabral Rodeo Arena in Hilo. Nancy and her staff were sworn in by Hilo club member and former Hawaii county mayor Mitch Roth. There was BBQ, line dancing, horseback riding, buggy rides and fun for the whole family. Our club is happy to have Nancy as our new District Governor.
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Cowgirl Up!
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Kerry Glass
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2025-07-17 10:00:00Z |
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It was a "Dark and Stormy Night" as our new president Newton Chu was sworn into office. Shown above is Newton with his grandson and future Rotarian, Daniel. Newton and his board of directors were sworn in by new District Governor, Nancy Cabral.
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Change of Command
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2025-07-02 10:00:00Z |
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Our new club sign is up and announcing our presence at the Grand Naniloa Hotel on Hilo Bay. Club member and hotel manager Niklas Dahm and his crew got the sign erected this week. Check our club calendar for meeting dates.
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A Sign of Good Times
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2025-06-03 10:00:00Z |
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Alexy Katco, member of our Eco Satellite Club, shared his love and knowledge of chocolate for 22 guests at the Short N Sweet Bakery in Hilo. He brought several varieties for us to try and they were all lovely. Alexy discussed the process he has developed for using all contents of the cacao pod rather than just the chocolate nibs. This results in a 20% increase in yield. Alexy also brought samples of his processed purple sweet potatoes. Everyone was given a packet of frozen sweet potatoes to take home. This writer has his with salmon and it was a perfect accompaniment .
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Chocolate, Chocolate and More
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2025-04-30 10:00:00Z |
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Mayor Kimo Alameda was the featured speaker at our April 25 meeting. He spoke about his team which includes key staff from former Mayor Mitch Roth's administration, Former mayor and current club member Mitch Roth was also in attendance.
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Mayor Kimo Alameda
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2025-04-29 10:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, April 22 our club's Service Members, Veterans, Families and First Responders Satellite Club gathered on Kamehameha Ave to wave flags in support of our veterans. Join us to support our veterans on the 22nd of each month.
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Veterans Support
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2025-04-23 10:00:00Z |
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Several members got together on Saturday for a Mini Mixer at Ben Franklin where they learned to make Lei Po`o (Head Lei). Lots of laughs and lots of creativity.
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Lei Po`o Mini Mixer
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2025-04-23 10:00:00Z |
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A special thank you goes to Beckie, along with our club's Eco Satellite Club who worked hard on Saturday at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery Garden Project. Also thank you to Toni and Helene for the lunch and snacks and Hawaiian Earth for the mulch delivery.
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Gardening Time
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2025-04-23 10:00:00Z |
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(l to r) Steven Pavao, Jeremiah Leonard, Kelvin Watanabe, Fred Fischer and Patrick Smith The Rotary Club of Hilo and Home Depot Hilo were honored by the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii on Saturday, April 12 for their key role in turning an old storage shed into a 24 hour clothes closet to help the children served by the center. The five Rotarians pictured were the key members of the team from the Rotary Club. Not pictured is project lead Marcia Prose who put the whole project together. Marcia is a member of the Rotary Club of Hilo and is on the board of the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii.
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Rotary Club of Hilo Honored
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2025-04-14 10:00:00Z |
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Our newest member Bethany Schoengarth (on left) with her sponsor Connie Ichinose. Bethany and her husband, Wade, moved to Hilo two years ago. Welcome Bethany to the Rotary Club of Hilo.
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New Member - Bethany Schoengarth
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2025-04-11 10:00:00Z |
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Vicki Puliz, incoming Rotary Foundation Trustee and her husband Tim, joined 48 Rotarians from three East Hawaii Rotary clubs to enjoy good food and fellowship. Also at the event was our own District Governor, Ted Faigle. Also at the event was Past District Governor Randy Hart, District Governor Elect Nancy Cabral and District Governor Nominee Benson Medina. Vicki and her husband are from Reno, Nevada and have a long history of supporting The Rotary Foundations objectives. She hoped to inspire those present about the value of Rotary and the foundation and what it can mean in our lives.
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Rotary TRF Magic
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2025-03-27 10:00:00Z |
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Our newest member, Carlene Wolf, inducted at our March 14 meeting. Next to Carlene is her sponsor, Past President and District Governor Elect, Nancy Cabral. Welcome Carlene to our Rotary family.
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New Member - Carlene Wolf
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2025-03-17 10:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Hilo collected over 300 pounds of rice for the Hawaii Island Food Basket at its February 28th meeting. This was Community Service Director, Wally Wong's "Impossible Mission #1".
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Impossible Mission #1
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2025-03-14 10:00:00Z |
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New Members from February 14 Meeting Three new members and their sponsors at the February 14 meeting. Left to right: Deb Funai (sponsor of Leroy), Leroy Brown, Helene Tajiri (sponsor of Michelle and Paul), Michelle Dumais, and Paul Dumais.
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Meet The New February 14 Members
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2025-02-14 10:00:00Z |
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L to R: Chelsea Mack, Connie Ichinose, Kuzao Todd, Cathy Ogino-Williams, Dee Scott, Jay Hopfensperger, Newton Chu, Susan Munro, and Beverly Heikes. With President Chelsea Mack questioning contestants and Membership Chair Connie Ichinose staffing the answer board, two âfamiliesâ battled out a rousing game of Family Feud, Rotary style. Winners: Family 2, Newton Chu, Susan Munro, Dee Scott, and Cathy Ogino-Williams. Family 1 members, Jay Hopfensperger, Grace Manipol-Larsen, Kazuo Todd, and Beverly Heikes, put up a good fight.
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Christmas 2024 Meeting Highlighted by Rotary Edition of TV’s Family Feud Game
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2024-12-23 10:00:00Z |
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L-R: [L of vehicle] Marisol Nelson (SMVF) & her son; [kneeling] Shauna Mooreâs husband & Shauna (RCSH); Leroy Funai & Deborah Funai (SMVF). [R of vehicle] Mike Meyer; Kanoa Wilson (SMVF), Kanoaâs daughter, wife, and newborn son; Connie Ichinose. Not shown is Jeno Enocencio (SMVF), who drove another vehicle. See accompanying article for explanation of abbreviations.
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Spirited Group Attended Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade
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2024-11-10 10:00:00Z |
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Clockwise from lower left: Marcia Prose, Jon Klapper, Ginny Gerhart, Randy Hart, Beverly Heikes, Kelley Stillman, Sera Lu. Connie & Galen Ichinose, Jim Cheney, Terianne Brown, and Steve Pavao. Connieâs already scheduling a holiday Mini-mixer at the Yacht Club for December 4 for 20 members and guests.
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Randy Hart’s October 16 Mini-Mixer at Hilo Yacht Club Might Start a Trend
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2024-10-17 10:00:00Z |
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Tim Hansen, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, Reads Mayor Mitch Roth's Proclamation
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Blessing of the Peace Poles and Solemn but Joyous Hula Marked Peace Ceremony at “Rotary Centennial Park,” Saturday, September 28
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2024-10-02 10:00:00Z |
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Newton Chu Attending an Early September Rotary Meeting in Oslo, Norway
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2024-09-27 10:00:00Z |
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L-R, Tim Hansen, President-Elect, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay; Nancy Cabral, District Governor-Elect, Rotary Club of Hilo; Charlene Iboshi, Peace Committee Chair, Rotary Club of South Hilo.
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Representatives of Hilo’s 3 Rotary Clubs Celebrating Peace Week 2024 at Our Club’s Granite Peace Pole
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2024-09-25 10:00:00Z |
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L-R: Sera Lu, Kanoa Wilson, Marisol Nelson, Barney Nelson, Past-President Jeremiah Leonard. Past-President Jeremiah Leonard inducted four new members into our clubâs newest satellite club for Service Members, Veterans & Families, and First Responders (SMVF). The ceremony took place August 28, 2024, at Kuhio Kalanianaole Park (aka Rotary Park). Inductees are Sera Lu, Kanoa Wilson, Marisol Nelson, and Barney Nelson. Katherine Baca sponsored Marisol; Connie Ichinose sponsored Sera, Kanoa, and Barney. President Chelsea Mack and Jeremiah also officially installed SMVF, Chaired by Deborah Funai, as a satellite club. The club was officially formed during the last month of Jeremiahâs tenure.
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Four New Members Join Our Newest Satellite Club
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2024-09-10 10:00:00Z |
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Our sister Club ... the Rotary Club of Hiroshima South flies in for a Visit! Time to meet and greet old friends and new ones as members of RC of Hiroshima South come to town. Dinner, golf, another dinner, adventures with the Japanese students who came. Good fun and building Peace in the World!
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Hiroshima South Sister Club Visit
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2024-08-27 10:00:00Z |
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Amy Hamilton, Low Price Keys - Mobile Locksmith and Tram Ngo - Nature's Greatest Outcome organization. Welcome aboard!
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The Club Welcomes new members on August 9, 2024
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2024-08-11 10:00:00Z |
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Hawaii Rotary District 5000 Governor Ted Faigle visited our Club Meeting and started with the induction of 3 new members! He then shared his and Rotary International's vision for the new Rotary Year. Bev Heikes Assistant Governor, Ted, and Chelsey Mack, our club's President were on hand to hear Ted speak.
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DG Visits our August 9, 2024 Club Meeting
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2024-08-11 10:00:00Z |
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One can't have a great Club without a Great Board of Directors! July 12 saw a large group of dedicated Rotary members installed and gearing up for a new year of service... and food.... and FUN!
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New 2024-25 Club Board
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2024-08-06 10:00:00Z |
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BREWFEST 2024 AT THE HILO YACHT CLUB ON JULY 13,2024 Were you there? A beautiful day of good beer, ono-licious food, and great music! All to support the good deeds of the Club in our community and in the world. If you missed it... try again next year about the same time.
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BREWFEST 2024
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2024-07-16 10:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Hilo is on a roll... 5 new members! Five new members were inducted on June 21! From left to right: Jeno Enocencio, Vittorio Grieco, John Regan, Dayna Kawazoe, Deborah Funai
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5 new members!
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2024-07-08 10:00:00Z |
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ROTARY IS FUN AND FOOD! Yes, we meet on Fridays and hear about good works going on in the community... but we also get together for fun, food, and relaxation! "Mini Mixers" give us an opportunity to get to know our fellow members... and, of course, EAT AND TALK!
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MINI MIXERS FOR FUN!
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2024-06-17 10:00:00Z |
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Our Club has been distributing Student Dictionaries to third graders for many years... even during the Pandemic! On May 5, a group of club members were out at schools getting those much-needed dictionaries out to students!
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dictionaries
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2024-05-31 10:00:00Z |
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FUN DAY AT THE PARK! Promoted by our ECO Satellite Club, fun, face painting, and plant potting were had by all!
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park event
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2024-05-31 10:00:00Z |
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ON APRIL 26, 2024, THE CLUB WELCOMED CASSIE HERNANDEZ! CASSIE is part of the Community Emergency Response Team and a Master Gardener! Welcome, Cassie!
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CASSIE JOINS
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2024-05-31 10:00:00Z |
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APRIL 5, 2024 - ANOTHER NEW MEMBER The Club was happy to welcome JOYCELYN CABAL on April 5. Joycelyn is with HOPE SERVICES HAWAII.
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Joycelyn joins
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2024-05-31 10:00:00Z |
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Are you a Military Veteran? You are invited to a "Get to Know You" meeting on Thursday, May 16 from 1 to 2pm at Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, 500 Kalanianaole Ave! Have you always wondered just what Rotary Clubs do and how you could participate? Here's your chance to learn about a "Military Satellite Club" of the Rotary Club of Hilo.
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Outreach to Military Veterans
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2024-05-03 10:00:00Z |
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SCOTLAND COMES TO HILO on APRIL 18! President Gordon, seated beside his wife Heather, is wearing a kukui nut lei. Beside him is District Governor Mark and his wife Kathleen, wearing a maile lei. A totally unique and wonderful event happened on April 18, 2024. For the FIRST TIME EVER... a sitting Rotary International President came to Hilo! Gordon McInally and his wife Heather were feted at a multi-club luncheon event at the Hilo Hawaii Hotel Moku Ola Room. Rotarians from all around the Big Island came to meet and greet the current International President and hear about the continuing good works of Rotary. Also in attendance were Hawaii District Governor, Mark Merriam and his wife Kathleen, along with Rotary Club Presidents from Kona to Hilo.
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SCOTLAND COMES TO HILO
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2024-04-19 10:00:00Z |
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WELCOME NEW MEMBER - JOCELYN CABAL on APRIL 5 We're onboarding yet another new member, Jocelyn Cabal of Home Services Hawaii. Welcome to the club!
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New Member Jocelyn Cabal
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2024-04-19 10:00:00Z |
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NEW CLUB MEMBERS ON FEBRUARY 16, 2024 THREE NEW MEMBERS at one meeting! (L-R) MAEDYNE MOLINA - Retired Workforce Development SARAH LUCHENBILL - American Cancer Society Associate Director KELLEY STILLMAN - The Employee Experts Sales Manager WELCOME ABOARD!
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new members - FEB 16, 2024
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2024-03-05 10:00:00Z |
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ROTARY "SPEED CHAT" ON FEBRUARY 22, 2024 It's hard to actually get to know members at meetings... thus a Social SPEED CHAT! Members (and possible new members) lined up across from each other on long tables to CHAT for a total of only 7-8 minutes! What fun (and loud!)...using "notes" write short answers from CHATTERS. Then one side would shift so that people would CHAT with someone else. Before the CHAT, attendees participated in a fun ICE BREAKER designed to keep people from sitting down and just waiting for something to happen. People had to find someone in the room who had been or done each of the "squares", thus getting people to meet other people. This event was especially helpful for new members who all want to come back... maybe next fall!
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FEBRUARY SPEED CHAT
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2024-03-05 10:00:00Z |
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JANUARY 28, 2024 ~ FIRST SERVICE PROJECT OF THE NEW YEAR! It was a lovely Sunday morning and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Hilo came together as âFriends of the Kuhio Kalaniâanaâole Centennial Parkâ to put forth their efforts, connect with the aina, give back to the land and improve the beauty of the park that Rotary began many years prior. Among the Rotarians and jr. Rotarians who participated in the effort were Beckie Marshall, Kari Hoffman and Fred Fischer. Also in attendance dance as supported of the effort were Jeremiah and Brayden Leonard.
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PARK CLEAN UP
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2024-02-01 10:00:00Z |
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FINAL MEETING OF THE YEAR ~ DECEMBER 15 So much happening at our busy December 15 meeting at the Yacht Club! A new board of Directors for the July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Rotary year was voted in by the membership! $25,546 was awarded to the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii, the Hilo Medical Center Foundation and the 'Ohana Wa'a Laulima. All moneys were part of the net profit from the 2023 Hilo Brewfest held in July of 2023. A truck full of new toys was collected from the members... going to the Salvation Army's Annual Toy Drive. A nice selection of Teddy Bears was also gathered for the "Friends" to distribute to Police cars. The goal is one Teddy Bear for each active Police car so that officers would have a bear ready to hand to a child who is being removed from a toxic home environment or may be suffering from an injury due to an accident.
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Busy Dec. 15, 2023 Meeting
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2023-12-28 10:00:00Z |
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EACH YEAR, ROTARY HAS SUPPORTED THE SALVATION ARMY WITH BELL-RINGING... This year at Walmart on Saturday, December 2 Alberta Dobbe, Bev Heikes, and Benson Medina were ringing the bells and watching the kettle fill to the brim! Thanks to all the Rotarians who showed up in shifts to support the Salvation Army.
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ROTARY RINGS THE BELL!
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2023-12-04 10:00:00Z |
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2 NEW MEMBERS WERE INDUCTED ON DECEMBER 1 MEETING... RCOH CLUB'S 103 ANNIVERSARY! SHANE HANLEY (l) from the Hawaii Police Department and Terrianne Brown (r) from the Hawaii Community College, were inducted during our December 1 meeting. Welcome aboard!
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new members Dec. 1, 2023
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2023-12-04 10:00:00Z |
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NOVEMBER 18 - WREATH CLASS! A bright sunny day up on the mountain had club members out picking for wreath making. B.J., our leader, started the day out correctly with a DLNR Picking Permit. After picking, (no lehua, please!) we adjoined to Gail's house for instructions from B.J. Ans what creations we made!
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WREATH CLASS
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2023-11-27 10:00:00Z |
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"KANPAI!" Our Club's Annual CHICKEN HEKKA returned on November 16 Cook your own dinner at your table and enjoy warmed sake for a "Kanpai" toast. The last Chicken Hekka was before COVID... and our members and other Rotary friends were happy to join in the fun. Humorous "cooking instructions" plus plenty ingredients were awaiting our amateur chefs.
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Chicken Hekka
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2023-11-17 10:00:00Z |
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CLUB MEMBERS CONTINUE "READING IN KINDERGARTEN" Club members fan out to 12 local schools reading to 464 students in Kindergarten during the school year. Every other month, the students receive their very own copy of the book being read. What a fun and educational program!
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Reading in Kindergarten
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2023-11-13 10:00:00Z |
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November 4 - Hilo Veterans Day Parade The Rotary Club of Hilo was on site to help with the celebrations! And our own Chelsea Mack was in uniform!
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Veterans Day Parade
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2023-11-06 10:00:00Z |
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November 3 Brought us 2 New Members! Fred Fischer Retired Mohave Electric Company and Katherine Baca New American Funding
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November 3 New Members!
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2023-11-06 10:00:00Z |
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November 3 at the Hilo International Airport... Another Peace Pole Dedication! Pictured left to right are those involved in helping Design and construct the Peace Pole into reality: Charlene Iboshi - Rotary Peace Committee; Dave "Tavita" Kunert (Carver); Leroy Chow (Tiler -base); Jeremiah Leonard - Sun Construction - Rotary Club of Hilo; Peter Boucher - Returning Peace Corp Volunteers; RosaLei Quinting -Quinting.vip- Rotary Club of Hilo; and Jon Countess, Returning Peace Corp Volunteers.
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Hilo Airport Peace Pole Dedication
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2023-11-06 10:00:00Z |
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On a Beautiful Saturday (September 28). Rotary Club of Hilo Members and Laupahoehoe School Interact Met to Clean up Weeds and Plant Two Trees Two Kamani trees, donated by Mountain Meadows, were planted at "Rotary Park"... also known as Prince Kalanianaole Park. These trees will live in the park in remembrance of our club's recently passed members. Many thanks to the Interact students for providing the heavy labor. And thanks to Rotary Members for the Park Clean Up!
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September 28 Park Clean Up and Tree Planting
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2023-11-04 10:00:00Z |
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! October 6, 2023 brought us two new members! Megan Arbles of KTA Pharmacy and Craig Lawver of Sean Allen Designs, LLC. We welcome their smiling faces and their professional talents!
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Oct 6 New Members
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2023-10-09 10:00:00Z |
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Three New Members Came on Board on September 8, 2023 JOY BARUA, Finance Insurance Ltd, President; CLODET WRIGHT, Finance Insurance Ltd, Manager and BRIAN MEAD, Finance Factors Vice President were all inducted during our September 8, 2023 meeting. Welcome Aboard!
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September 8, 2023 ... Welcome New Members!
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2023-09-15 10:00:00Z |
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Club Members visit the ARCH OF HILO for a tour and a regular meeting We visited the Laundry Operation and many other sites... with a lunch visit to the TIKI TURTLE cafe
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Arc of Hilo Visit
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2023-09-12 10:00:00Z |
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DECADES OF FRIENDSHIP The Rotary Club of Hilo honors its sister Rotary Club of Hiroshima South with loose Anthuriums arranged into a wreath. Each year for decades, the Rotary Club of Hilo has sent a floral arrangement in solemn remembrance and respect for the August 6, 1945 ("Hiroshima Day") bombing of their city.
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Decades of Friendship
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2023-08-09 10:00:00Z |
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THE ROTARY CLUB OF HILO ROCKS THE DISTRICT AWARDS! Pictured (l-r) Randy Hart, District Governor; Connie Ichinose, Club President; and Beverly Reed, Rotary Zone 26/27 Regional Foundation Coordinator representing Rotary International. At the State of Hawaii May 19-21, 2023 Rotary Convention (which was held in HILO for the first time ever!), our Club absolutely Rocked the Awards! 3 FIRST PLACE Awards; 3 SECOND PLACE Awards; 2 TOP 5 Awards... and the BIG ONE...... ROTARY CLUB OF THE YEAR FOR LARGE CLUBS! We were all so happy and nearly jumping up and down at the announcement. CONNIE ICHINOSE, our current Club President accepted the coveted award on behalf of our entire membership. And what a special honor for RANDY HART, our club member and the current District Governor. A new Rotary year begins on July 1, 2023 with incoming President, Jeremiah Leonard. Go for it, Jeremiah... let's do it two years in a row!
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RC of Hilo Rocks the Awards!
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2023-05-25 10:00:00Z |
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Club Ladies Wearing our Rotary Pins! And Hello to visiting Charlene Meyers! Welcome back!
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Wearing a Rotary Pin
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2023-03-23 10:00:00Z |
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ROTARY CLUB OF HILO AWARDS NEARLY $32,000 TO THREE NONPROFITS  The Rotary Club of Hilo awards nearly $32,000 to three local nonprofits from the proceeds of the Hilo Brewfest 2022. Pictured left to right: Bob Hanley, Club member and Brewfest Originator; Beverly Heikes, Club President during the June Brewfest; Anita Tatum (kneeling) Club member and Brewfest Chair; Lisa Rantz, Club member and Hilo Medical Foundation E.D.; Chad Cabral-CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island; Robin Benedict, Program Coordinator for the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii; and Nicole Chase, (kneeling) Assistant to Robin at the Friends. After a two year hiatus, the Rotary Club of Hiloâs signature fundraiser âHilo Brewfestâ came roaring back in June of 2022. People were ready to party and sponsors were ready to help! Presented at the former Wainaku Executive Center which has been bought by Ola Brew, the site overflowed with craft beers, ono-licious food and plenty of good fun. The Hilo Medical Foundationâs Primary Care Physician Training and the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii were again the two signature beneficiaries. Each received $13,300. Added for this year was the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island for $5,320. These awards total nearly $32,000 that stays right here to help our local communities.
âIt was especially a challenge this year,â said Anita Tatum Brewfest Chair. âThe Brewfest was slated for June 26 and we werenât even sure we could have a large gathering until early March. Our Brewfest planning normally starts in December/January!â
âWe were again blessed by many local breweries who jumped at the chance to participate,â said Bob Hanley, Brewfest Originator and Beer Contact. âAlso a mahalo to our local restaurants who all stepped up at the last moment!â âWe were especially pleased at the number of Sponsors who joined in Hilo Brewfest 2022,â said Beverly Heikes, Rotary Club President at the time of the festival. âIt is so heartening to see our local businesses step up so that we would be able to help our 2022 beneficiaries.â Plans are already underway for Brewfest 2023 which will occur in July instead of June. And because the Ola Brew renovations of the former Wainaku Center will be in full swing, the Rotary Club of Hilo is proud and excited to announce that the 2023 Brewfest will be held at the Hilo Yacht Club. Watch for more details and the new yearâs festival approaches. Log on to hilorotary.org for more information about the club and updates about Brewfest 2023 as information becomes available.
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CLUB DONATES NEARLY $30,000 TO LOCAL NONPROFITS
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2022-12-14 10:00:00Z |
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ăâ
Go Cook Um Crew â
ćœĄ On Thursday, October 6, the GO COOK 'EM CREW treated the residents of Hawaii Island Home for Recovery grilled pork chops with wild rice, homemade Cole slaw, and a huge piece of homemade carrot cake! Yummm! These amazing folks cook EVERY THURSDAY!
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cooking again
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2022-10-07 10:00:00Z |
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ECO-PROJECT on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 On Saturday, October 1, Rotarians and community members (future Rotarians?) came together to help clear the shoreline of the ponds by Seaside Restaurant of invasive plants to entice native water birds to return. Thank you to future member Kumiko Mattison for heading up and organizing this project. The work site is absolutely beautiful and the work is oddly satisfying. Be on the lookout for more Aina Ho`ola work days.
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Eco- project
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2022-10-07 10:00:00Z |
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 OUR "CENTENNIAL" PEACE POLE FINALLY INSTALLED AT MO'OHEAU PARK  Remember our Centennial year 2020? Remember Covid 19, lockdowns, shutdowns, and the fear and uncertainty it caused? Remember how our club faced the adversity and following the leadership of President Nancy Cabral, we achieved more than most clubs did? President Nancy had a tough year for sure, and leaned upon her executives, VP Kerry Glass and Secretary Susan Munro. But one thing they couldn't complete was President Nancy's vision of a permanent and beautiful granite Peace Pole to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Rotary Club of Hilo. Well... better late than never, right????? So all who attended last Friday's Peace Pole dedication were transported back to the year 2020. Past President Nancy Cabral was magically transformed to President again and ran our Mooheau Park Meeting. With help from Rotary Club of Hilo Bay's Tim Hansen, Rotary Club of South Hilo's Charlene Iboshi, Cou Ty of Hawaii Managing Director, Lee Lord, Connect Point's Pastor Dion Maeda, and Pole Engraver Mike Sasaki our Peace Pole was unveiled and presented for all to enjoy while pondering the concept, "May Peace Prevail on Earth."
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peace pole
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2022-09-30 10:00:00Z |
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AUGUST 10 Hilo Rotarians on another WALK AND TALK tour with Harvey! So much fun to learn about the wonderful town in which we live!
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walk and talk 2
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2022-08-10 10:00:00Z |
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AUGUST 6 PAINT THE TOWN Rotarians revitalizing Pahoa Town. Local artist Keone Alvarez laid out a grid for his mural and Rotarians from East Hawaii Clubs and the Eco Rotary Club of Kakaâako joined in to âpaint by numberâ.
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PAINTING PAHOA!
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2022-08-09 10:00:00Z |
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JULY 27 Ola Brew Membership Mixer A great mix of new and long-time Rotarians gathered and socialized with many prospective members, wanting to get to know Rotary more. Pupus, drinks, fellowship, and fun was had by all!
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MEMBERSHIP MIXER!
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2022-08-09 10:00:00Z |
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JULY 26 EXPLORING HILO WITH HARVEY The Rotary Club of Hilo explores the old railroad tracks around Banyan Drive. This is the first in a series of Harveyâs (Harvey Tajiri) Hometown Walk and Talks. Rain or shine our Rotarians keep going!
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WALKING AROUND TOWN
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2022-08-09 10:00:00Z |
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JULY 24 Fun Pickle Ball class! Nice work players! You went from how to hold the paddle to playing a real game in 90 minutes! Mahalo to our seasoned trainers Connie and Audrey, and our event host Jen. Players included Tina, Beverly, Treena, guests Beth and Brooklyn.
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FUN AND EXERCISE!
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2022-08-09 10:00:00Z |
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Continuing their faithful Thursday Lunch "Go Cook 'Em Crew" stirs up delicious lunches for the residents of the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery. They have been doing this weekly for MONTHS!
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Go Cook 'Em continues its awesome job!
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2022-07-26 10:00:00Z |
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Friday, July 1 started our New Rotary Year and was also the installation of 4 East Hawaii Rotary Clubs and our own ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR! (l-r) Connie Ichinose, Rotary Club of Hilo; Randy Hart, District 5000 Rotary Governor (for the whole state!); Susie Osborne, Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset; Catherine Rehberg of Rotary Club of South Hilo; Mayor Mitch Roth, Keynote Speaker and a member of our club; and Ron Cutler, co-President of Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset. Everyone is looking forward to a new Rotary year with more in-person meetings, service projects and social gatherings! I Mua!
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A NEW ROTARY YEAR STARTS!
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2022-07-09 10:00:00Z |
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 WALLY WONG OF ROTARY CLUB OF HILO NAMED AS STATE-WIDE ROTARY AWARDEE Itâs not enough to make it to Rotary meetings. Itâs not enough to manage a single service project. Itâs not enough to help our local community. In order to win the annual recognition by Rotaryâs State-wide district, you have to be a Super Rotarian! Rotary has five âavenues of serviceâ in every club. âClub Serviceâ is directly helping a personâs own club. Being a Greeter, supporting every club event, helping new members find their way. âVocational Serviceâ means sponsoring vocational outings for club members, helping our youth learn about job opportunities, helping workers work better in their jobs. âCommunity Serviceâ is just what one would expect⊠beach clean-ups, backpacks filled with school supplies for needy students, feeding our Kupuna. âYouth Serviceâ brings free books to Kindergarteners, student dictionaries to third graders and even renovating run-down classrooms. âInternational Serviceâ supports projects around the world, creates opportunities for foreign youth to visit Hilo, promoting peace between cultures. Wally Wong, a Rotarian since 1995, was awarded the annual District âAvenues of Serviceâ Award for his outstanding work in ALL the five areas of service. Only one Rotarian out of 1,600 Hawaii members in 53 clubs around the islands is recognized annually for this prestigious award. The Rotary Club of Hilo is proud to acknowledge Wallyâs dedicated work over his 27 years of Rotary membership. Ho'omaika'i 'ana, Wally! Caption for photo: Wally Wong (holding the Rotary Award) is congratulated (l-r) by Beverly Heikes, Club President, Past District Governor Naomi Masuno., and Nancy Cabral, Past Club President. Only one Rotarian is awarded this honor each year out of all the 1600 plus members in the state. Congrats, Wally!
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Club Member Wally Wong Receives Special Rotary Award
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2022-03-18 10:00:00Z |
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ROTARY CLUB OF HILO AWARDS $16,000 TO TWO NON-PROFITS The Rotary Club of Hilo presented two checks of $8,000 each to their annual signature beneficiaries at the November 19th club meeting. The Hilo Medical Center Foundationâs Primary Care Physician Training and the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii were on hand for the awarding of the Hilo Brewfestâs annual fundraiser. (l-r) Bob Hanley, Brewfest Committee Chair; Beverly Heikes, current Club President; Tim Beatty, Club Foundation Chair; Robin Benedict, Professional Staff of the Friends of the CJCEH; Nancy Cabral, Immediate Past Club President; Lisa Rantz, Club member and Hilo Medical Foundation Executive Director; and Marcia Prose, Club member and current President of the Friends.
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RCOH Awards $16,000 to Two Nonprofits
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Marcia Prose
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2022-02-24 10:00:00Z |
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100 years of Service Above Self  100 years ago, on December 1, 1920 the Rotary Club of Hilo became the second club in the Territory of Hawaiâi . 
THE HILO HOTEL, 1920 Carl S. Carlsmith was named the first President and meetings were held at the old Hilo Hotel.,Over the 100 years, Rotary has been a vital part of the Hilo community. Many significant events and activities have grown our club from the original 13 men only members to nearly 100 members. Almost half the members are women, including our current President, Nancy Cabral, who was also the first female member of the club back in 1988. A few of our significant accomplishments include:
1949 - After the end of WWII, Carl Carlsmith wrote to
General Douglas MacArthur suggesting that restoring Japan to Rotary would foster World Peace.
MacArthur agreed and at the 1949-50 International Rotary Conference, Japan was welcomed back into
Rotary. Five years later (1955), our club sponsored the Rotary Club of Hiroshima.
1955 â Founded the Boys Club of Hilo. Today it is the Boys and Girls Club of Hilo.
1970-71 â Established the sister-city Rotary relationship with Hiroshima South.
1981 â Served Christmas meals for Kamana Senior Citizens Center. The tradition continues for 40 years.
1997 â Participated in the reforestation of native Koa forest on Mauna Kea above Hakalau.
1999 â Partnered with other Rotarians to sponsor a water purification system in India.
2005 â Teamed with the other east HawaiÊ»i Rotary Clubs to clean a shoreline area to create KĆ«hiĆ
Kalanianaʻole Park (Rotary Centennial Park).
2009 â Founded first major Club Fundraiser for several years â with the monies raised going to the Hilo
Medical Center Rural Residency Program and other projects through the Clubâs Foundation.
2013 â Initiated the Rotary Global Peace Forum held in Honolulu.
2013 â Established the Clubâs current fundraiser â Hilo Brewfest.
2016 â Served first HawaiÊ»i Island Home for Recovery Thanksgiving meal, continuing today.
2017 â Donated $30,000 that went toward the purchase of Shelter Boxes, tents, shelter kits, and tarps
helping 1764 Fijian households after the devastating earthquake.
2018 â Helped to fund the Global TeleMedicine Project, our club recognized for District International Service.
2019 â Established a satellite Rotary Club â the âSocial Squadâ
2020 â Developed a video to coordinate with and support Dictionaries for Youth.
2020 â Cooking meals twice a week for the HawaiÊ»i Island Home for Recovery, ongoing.
2020 â Creating alternative methods of delivery to continue Reading in Kindergarten, ongoing.
2020 â Helping with the Rotary COVID response in our community. (see below!) NEW MEMBERS Our meetings are all by Zoom... kind of hard to take great photos of new members! Welcome to three new members during December!
DANIELLE PRESTON - Education
SHAUN OâBRIEN - Sun Construction
AARON BLAKE - Sun Construction SPECIAL AWARDS! CHARLENE and AMOS MEYERS 
This amazing couple was honored with the âWhite Hatâ Rotary International Award during our last Zoom meeting. IN THE COMMUNITY! âGO COOK âEM CREWâ
Rotarians and Community Members help cook meals every Thursday for residents at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery. These chefs also cooked up a great Thanksgiving Day Feast. 100 MONTHLY "THINGS" UPDATE 120+ Trees Planted around town! 100 Hygiene Bags for Homeless Women assisted by UHH Delta Sigma Pi PLUS....
175 boxes of Food distributed to the community. 100 people attended our Dec. 1 100th Anniversary meeting... by ZOOM!
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100 years and counting!
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Marcia Prose
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2020-12-30 10:00:00Z |
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OCTOBER HAPPENINGS New Members  Our meetings are all by Zoom... kind of hard to take great photos of new members! Welcome to four new members during October!
PATTI BRAY
Hilo Medical Center Foundation IZZY HUERTAS
Hawaii Home for Recovery LARA HUGHES
First Hawaiian Bank LEANA POHEVITZ
Law Student âGO COOK âEM CREWâ Rotarians and Community Members help cook meals every Thursday for residents at the Hawaii Home for Recovery. October 29 gave everyone an opportunity to have a bit of Halloween fun! UPDATE ON OUR "100 THINGS" OCTOBER GOAL: 100 MASKS RESULT: 1317 MASKS! Thanks to all who contributed! NOVEMBER GOAL: 100 TREES PLANTED
You can be a part of the count! If you plant a tree in November, let us know on our website: hilorotary.org ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS
You may have noticed that all our new members are always paired with either the business they represent or with their areas of service. Check us out!
Alarm & Access Control Technologies ~ Bay House Bed and Breakfast
BJ Penn Enterprises ~ C. Y. Shikuma, MD, Inc. ~ Century 21 Homefinders of Hawaii
Chris Brilhante Realty LLC ~ Church of the Holy Cross UCC
Coldwell Banker Island Properties ~ Converged Telcom ~ County of Hawaii
CU Hawaii FCU ~ Day-Lum Rentals & Management, Inc. ~ Dept. of Human Services
Department of Water Supply ~ Dodo Mortuary, Inc.
Double H Printed Products, LLC ~ First Hawaiian Bank ~ Global Offsite Care Hawaii Electric Light Company ~ Hawaii Fire Department
Hawaii Fresh Products, Inc. ~ Hawaii Island Home for Recovery
Hawaii Printing / Instant Sign Center ~ Hawaiian Telecom
Healing Hands Publishing ~ Hilo Hearing Aid ~ Hilo Medical Center Foundation Hilo Surplus Store ~ Homelani Memorial Park ~ I Kitagawa & Co ~ Images of Hawaii
Iokua Real Estate ~ K&J Tire Center Inc ~ Kamaâaina Motors & Kamaaina Nissan
Kilauea Military Camp ~ Lex Brodie's Tire Co ~ Naomi's World Travel Service
Orchid Isle Auto Center ~ Palace Theater ~ Ron Dolan, CPA & Associates, Inc.
Salvation Army ~ Student at CUNY School of Law ~ Subway Sandwiches
Torkildson Katz Hetherington Harris Knorek Chu
University of Hawaii at Hilo ~ Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH)
Waiakea Uka Bible Church ~ Wong Way Farms
Yamanaka Enterprise ~ YWCA of Hawaii Island
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Busy in October
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Pro
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2020-11-12 10:00:00Z |
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We've been busy... even during Covid! NEW MEMBER Kazuo Todd, County Fire Department First Responder "SOCIAL SQUAD" Helps out Hawaii Rise Foundation's Project  AUGUST 19 at the TEMPLE BAR
It was still possible to meet, have fun and do good for the community. The clubâs âSocial Squadâ met at the Temple Bar and was able to collect over $400 to donate to the HAWAII RISE FOUNDATIONâs Hygiene Packs. What a great job this community organization does to help in our East Hawaii community! Below, some of HAWAII RISEâs members pack up supplies for distribution. OUR CLUB'S "100 THINGS" MONTHLY PROJECTS 100 School Backpacks Since this is our 100th Anniversary Year as a Chartered Rotary Club, we've set out to "do / accomplish / collect "100 Things" each month. AUGUST's project was 100 Backpacks. Keiki served by The Salvation Army needed backpacks, and our club made assembling 100 of them as our August â100 Thingsâ project. Our â100 Thingsâ is a project for each month â a challenge to collect 100 of something that is needed in our community. SUCCESS! We collected 136 backpacks. 100 CANS OF SPAM FOR SEPTEMBER Our project for September is 100 cans of SPAM for the Food Basket. Want to help? You can drop off cans at either Day Lum Rentals & Management at 2 KamAvenue or Hawaii Printing Corp at714 Kanoelehua Avenue. And thank you! OH, AND BTW... CONGRATS TO OUR CLUB MEMBER BUSINESSES WHO WERE RECOGNIZED IN THE HAWAII TRIBUNE-HERALD'S "BEST OF" 2020! FIRST PLACE! DODO MORTUARY
Funeral Home DAY LUM RENTALS
& MANAGEMENT
Property Management K&J TIRES Tire Shop
LEX BRODIE'S FAST LUBE
Oil Change And six more in Second Place: ORCHID ISLE FORD
FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK
CU HAWAII FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
HAWAII PRINTING CORP
LEX BRODIES TIRES
SUBWAY SANDWICHES
HILO HEARING CENTER
Congratulations, members!
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RCOH Doings in September
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2020-09-23 10:00:00Z |
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AUGUST IS ROTARY MEMBERSHIP MONTH! Why Join Rotary?
Professional Networking ~ Service Opportunities ~ International Awareness
Friendship ~ Good Citizenship ~ Youth Development ~ Ethical Environment ~ FUN!
Itâs where PEOPLE OF ACTION, neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. As our club begins celebrating the 100th years of existence (our birthday will be on December 1, 2020) we invite you to join us and more than a million other people world-wide in 35,000+ clubs.
Want to help locally? Nationally? Worldwide? Rotarians contribute over 16 million volunteer hours every year... and you can be a part of the projects that create lasting solutions!
And yes, we are still meeting, even in this stressful time of Covid. We meet in person when and where it makes sense, and we offer ZOOM meetings for those who wish to stay home.
Fill out the form on CONTACT US on our website: hilorotary.org DOINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY HOW DO YOU DEMO A SCIENCE LAB IN ONE DAY? You get seven Club Rotarians together and stand back!
Saint Joseph School says âThank You!â to Jeremiah Leonard, Misti Tyrin, James Tyrin, Malcolm Chun, Wally Wong, Patrick Smith and Bobby Dugar. (not in order shown) BACKPACKS! 
School will begin soon and many children will need a new backpack. Why New? Because other keiki will have their new backpacks, but if the child is homeless or living in a poverty situation, that child wonât have the same new thing. Itâs very hard to feel ânormalâ when your clothing or âaccessoriesâ donât match the other keiki. For our â100 things each monthâ, our club is gathering 100 brand new backpacks for distribution to needy children. AND IN JAPAN.... FLOWERS TO HIROSHIMA âYesterday, Vice President Toru Nakano, Director Mitsunori Ueno, Secretay Tetsuro Hiraga, Deputy Secretary Naoto Kawai of the Hiroshima South Rotary Club and I, Yuji Saiki, president, went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to offer the anthuriums you had sent us for the Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial. Iâm sure that the anthuriums will comfort the spirits of the victims.â
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Busy in August
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2020-08-12 10:00:00Z |
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On July 1, Nancy Cabral became the new president of the Rotary Club of Hilo for its 100th year. Nancy joined the club on January 29, 1988 as the first woman member and has served in various capacities since that time. As the owner of Day-Lum Inc. she is active in business and in the community.
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100th Year President - Nancy Cabral
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2020-07-02 10:00:00Z |
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Spring 2020 New Club Members Beckie Marshall, VASH Services Lani Olds, Homelani Memorial Gardens Shane Shitabata, Nissan Our Club's Youth Scholarship Awardee: Miya Yanagisawa
Miss Miya Yanagisawa is the Rotary Club of Hilo's selection to receive a $5,000 Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. Miya reports: âI am 18 years old and am a part of the graduating class of 2020 from Waiakea High School. I plan to attend San Diego State University in the fall to pursue a degree in Business Marketing."
WHAT HAS ROTARY BEEN DOING DURING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC? ROTARY INTERNATIONAL: RI has contributed over $18 million to Pandemic relief and is working the Global TeleMedicine Project which is training and consulting using best practices on treating Covid-19 Virus. ROTARY IN HAWAII STATE: 1600 Rotarians across the state have been working together and partnering with organizations to find creative solutions to critical needs in response to COVID19. Financial support from the District has helped individual clubs respond to needed Covid related local projects. AND ALL OUR BUSY EAST HAWAII ROTARY CLUBS: ROTARY CLUB OF HILO: RCOH contributed $1000 to the Kupuna of Keaukaha Meals program along with Hilo Bay Club, the Hilo Yacht Club, and Hawaii Rise. The club also contributed to the Tele-medicine project of RI. ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH HILO: The South Hilo club awarded $4,000 each to the Salvation Army, Keiki Care Packs, Boys and Girls Club, Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center East Hawaii and Kuikahi Mediation Center. ROTARY CLUB OF HILO BAY: Hilo Bay donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club Meal Program, $1375 to The Food Basket plus rebagging over 30,000 lbs of rice, $1,000 to the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii and $2500 to the Kupuna Project. ROTARY CLUB OF VOLCANO: This club provided lei and a congratulations card for each graduating Senior from Kaâu High School and helped with the KMC weekend flag raising. ROTARY CLUB OF PAHOA SUNSET: Pahoa Sunset Club contributed $500 to Hawaii Food Basket and $200 and a sewing machine to Youth Challenge Academy Hawaii.
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Rotary and Covid-19
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2020-06-18 10:00:00Z |
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With great sadness, we announce the loss of our Badge #1 member Bobby Fujimoto. Bobby was a major pillar in the Hawaii Community and he loved Rotary. In loving memory of Bobby, Newton Chu has written a memorial, below. Aloha, Anna Liu President 2019-2020
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Memorial of Bobby Fujimoto
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2020-04-24 10:00:00Z |
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RCHâs First Friday Zoom Meeting! 
Members joined the Zoom event well before noon, so we had a few minutes to greet and chat. Then meeting host Kerry Glass rang his cow bell, and the first-ever remote meeting of the Rotary Club of Hilo began exactly at noon on Friday, April 17. 
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April Virtual Meeting
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2020-04-17 10:00:00Z |
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THINKING.... February 7 - WEAR RED Wearing RED at our Friday Meeting to help raise awareness about Womenâs Heart Health. February 19 - SOCIAL SQUAD Having fun and fellowship with club members and friends, the SOCIAL SQUAD met at the Temple Bar on a mid-February Wednesday night. $300 was raised to support the clubâs ongoing support of a literacy project in Fiji. Join us on March 18! FEBRUARY THEME:
PEACE-BUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION/ RESOLUTION Every month, Rotary International has a âthemeâ, an âarea of focusâ for Rotary members around the world to think about and, in many cases, make plans for international projects that can promote peace. WHERE DO OUR NEW LEADERS COME FROM? Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where high school youth develop their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections. Club members and Rotarians from other East Hawaii Rotary Clubs worked hard to put on this hands-on mentoring event the last weekend in February.
The Rotary Club of Hilo meets nearly every Friday at noon in the Queenâs Court Restaurant at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Drop by and speak to our GREETERS at the door! Welcome! No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our monthly *Social Squad* event at Temple Bar on Wednesday, 3/18 at 5:30pm. Weâll be supporting the *Center for Tomorrowâs Leaders Ambassadors Program" at Pahoa High & Intermediate School.
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"THINKING" and "DOING" in February!
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2020-03-13 10:00:00Z |
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Wow! Six New Members in January! Ben Marks ~ Peco Arts D'Andrea Pelletier ~ our own Opera Singer! Danni Gardner ~ Day Lum Associations Julie Kron ~ Paralegal Patrick Smith ~ Retired Reese Mates ~ Rotary Shelter Box BREWFEST RETURNS ON JUNE 27! The Hilo Brewfest is a fun afternoon of beer tasting, food sampling and entertainment. And itâs also our clubâs Signature Fundraising Event that supports two local nonprofits (see below) and other smaller contributions to many projects both local and worldwide.
THIS YEAR, WATCH FOR OUR NEW âBREW-WEEKâ FILLED WITH BEER AND FOOD PAIRINGS & FUN! OUR BREWFEST RECIPIENTS The Hilo Medical Foundation Residency Program The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii OUR CLUB'S SOCIAL SQUAD No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our monthly âSocial Squadâ... coming up this month on February 19 at the Temple Bar at 64 Keawe Street in Hilo.
Our February event is in support of Literacy in Fiji with collected funds going to buy books and school materials for impoverished schools on some of those small, isolated islands.
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January 2020... new year... new members!
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2020-02-12 10:00:00Z |
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December 7 ~ âWaianae Paradeâ 
Assistant Rotary District Governor and club member Randy Hart drives District Governor Eric Kaler and his wife in the annual Rotary sponsored Christmas Parade through downtown Waianae. Good, safe driving, Randy! December 11 ~ âSeniorsâ Luncheonâ .jpg)
Club members gathered to present a delicious luncheon to seniors at the Kamana Senior Center. Singing and live entertainment accompanied the serving of this traditional meal provided by our club. December 12-14 ~ âCraft Fairâ 
Member Mike poses with a âfriendâ at our third annual Kamaâaina Christmas Craft Fair held at the Civic Center Butler Building. Over 1000 shoppers stopped by to see hand made crafts by local crafters... plus delicious BBQ from a food truck. December 14 ~ âBell Ringingâ 
Club members turn out for shifts of Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army outside of Macys at the Mall. Good fun and holiday cheer plus ample donations make this annual effort well worth the time. December 12 ~ âBali Reportâ .jpg)
Randy Hart âreportsâ to the club about the trip to Bali. Rotarians were able to make a difference by providing prosthetic legs to amputees, working on restrooms in a nearby school... a great international project sponsored by our Rotary Hawaii district. December 18 ~ âSocial Squadâ 
Members and friends met at the Temple Bar for an evening of socializing and fundraising to help with the Foster Siblings Holiday Party. Over $500 was gathered for the present exchange. (see the December 23rd post!) December 23 ~ âSibling Partyâ 
Often times, siblings who go into Foster Care donât get to see each other at Christmas time. The Teen Board of âHI H.O.P.E.S.â and âEpic âOhanaâ planned a holiday get together for teen siblings held at Solid Rock East Hawaii church in Pahoa. But âpresentsâ were needed for the teens to âshopâ for their siblings. The Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii joined in for the program... and were able to buy âpresentsâ thanks in part to the fundraising of our âSocial Squadâ members and friends.â JOIN US! No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our âSocial Squadâ...coming in February Our club meets nearly every Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Want to join us for lunch and community networking? Leave us a message on our website: hilorotary.com
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A REALLY BUSY DECEMBER!
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Marcia Prose
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2020-01-08 10:00:00Z |
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NOVEMBER STARTS THE HOLIDAY SEASON! December 18 ~ No time for lunch with us on a Friday? Join us for our monthly âSocial Squadâ... coming up this month on December 18 at the Temple Bar at 64 Keawe Street in Hilo. Our Dec 18th event is in support of The FRIENDS of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaii Sibling Holiday Party. The party is for youth who have been separated from their siblings and will be reunited and able to celebrate together! If you are unable to attend Social Squad event, you can still donate by visiting
www.fcjcEastHawaii.org and click DONATE. November 7 ~ Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff Members of our club enjoyed some great entertainment at the Red Kettle Kickoff with comic Augie T. Plus everyone loved to get an ono-licious Breakfast that they didnât have to cook! November 15 - Breakfast... again! Another breakfast... this time for the new edition of the Hilo Hospital Foundationâs Residency Program. New interviewees were greeted by hospital staff and club members. November 16 - Rotary Assembly Members were on hand to learn about Rotary Internationalâs Foundation and how local clubs can interact with this large, top flight charitable organization. November 21 ~ âSocial Squadâ It was a casual, after-hours get together, this time at The Temple Bar. Starting at 5;30pm and going until 7:30pm, members and non-members learn about projects that our club is working on. November 23 ~ Waiakea HS Students Cooked turkey needs to be shredded in preparation for the Salvation Armyâs Annual Thanksgiving meal. Who better to help than high school students not afraid to get their hands involved. November 28 ~ Thanksgiving While their own turkeys were cooking, club members worked in the kitchens of the Hawaii Home for Recovery preparing turkey and fixinsâ for the hungry residents.
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NOVEMBER HAD THE CLUB "OUT AND ABOUT"!
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Marcia Prose
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2019-12-10 10:00:00Z |
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NEW MEMBER JOY MATSUURA OCTOBER READING IN KINDERGARTEN Many of our Rotarians spread out to read a great story to 537 students. Reading continues through May of 2020. OCTOBER STUDENT DICTIONARIES Over 350 Student Dictionaries were delivered by Rotarians to 3rd graders in schools around Hilo and nearby towns. And they came will a short lesson on how to use them. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER IN BALI Making a difference in Bali! Rotarians provided prosthetic legs to amputees, worked on rest rooms in a nearby school... and ate lots of great food! OCTOBER 17 ~ ANNUAL CHICKEN HEKKA Cook your own dinner... and what better plan than to have our club President cook and serve us! It was delicious, Anna! OCTOBER 19 ~ "PEACE POLE" Members of four East Hawaiâi Rotary Clubs erected a âPeace Poleâ at the Rotary Centennial Park on Reedâs Bay. âLet peace prevail on earthâ is written in several languages. The Peace Committee hopes to map more poles across the island. OCTOBER 23 ~ "SOCIAL SQUAD" Want to participate in our club, but canât make the Friday noon lunch? Join our once-a-month âSocial Squad.â Next meeting Nov. 21 at 5:30pm at the Temple Bar, 64 Keawe St, Hilo OCTOBER 26 ~ YWCA's WALK Rotarians gathered to âWalk a Mile in Her Shoesâ for a fundraiser in downtown Hilo. Whose hairy legs are those walking in high heel shoes? OCTOBER 26 ~ FRIENDS' MTM PARTY Always ready for a party for a good cause, Club members attended the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaiiâs Mai Tai Masquerade. And our Mitch won best Celebrity Bartender! OCTOBER 31 ~ HALLOWEEN DOINGS Club members and other Rotarians were ready for the Trick or Treaters at the Parks and Recreationâs Community Halloween festivities!
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OCTOBER OUT AND ABOUT!
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Marcia Prose
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2019-11-15 10:00:00Z |
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SEPTEMBER 2019 OUT AND ABOUT September 7 - Beach Cleanup Our High School âInteractorsâ (thatâs Rotary Jr!) head to the beach along the Queen Liliuâokalani Park to pick up and bag rubbish. September 14 - District Meeting Members of our club join with other East Hawaii Rotary clubs to meet and listen to Eric Kaler, the Hawaii State Rotary District Governor. September 21 - Walking for Good Club members and Interact members combine to walk for support at the 2019 Alzheimerâs Walk in Hilo. JOIN OUR CLUB IN DEVELOPING OUR YOUTH Rotary is not just about meetings and service... itâs also about mentoring and supporting our youth. These are our leaders of tomorrow! We get started with Kindergartners! READING IN KINDERGARTEN We read to 537 Kindergartners and give them their own books 4 times a year. DICTIONARIES FOR 3RD GRADE We give out 350+ Student Dictionaries to third grade students. ELEMENTARY HALLOWEEN FUN We contribute Halloween Candy for the Parks and Recreationâs Safe Halloween Fun. HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT We mentor High School students through their INTERACT clubs. HIGH SCHOOL STEM We support NEX TECH that teaches STEM skills. ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY We help with the RYLA conference for high school students. COLLEGE ROTARACT We involve âalmost Rotariansâ attending UH Hilo..
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September Recap
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Marcia Prose
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2019-10-09 10:00:00Z |
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JOIN US! WEEKLY MEETINGS We meet nearly every Friday at noon at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Interested? Send us an email through our website on the: CONTACT TAB: hilorotary.org. SOCIAL SQUAD MEETING Canât make those Friday noon meetings? Join us through our âSocial Squadâ, an after hours branch of our club where people can gather to discuss community minded events and projects. See you on Sept. 18 at 5:30pm at the Hilo Yacht Club! JOIN OUR CLUB IN HELPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES! We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and support the efforts of other community organizations and non-profits. Together we make a difference right here in East Hawaii. LABORING: âą BAY FRONT CLEAN UP
âą BEACH CLEAN UP
âą PAINTING
âą PARK CLEAN UP SERVING: âą THANKSGIVING DINNERS
âą FOOD PREPARATIONS
âą SENIOR LUNCHEON SUPPORTING: âą YWCA WALK A MILE
âą HEART WALK
âą ALZHEIMERâS WALK
âą SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING MENTORING: âą HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUBS
âą ANNUAL ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
âą READING TO KINDERGARTNERS SUPPLYING: âą BACKPACKS FOR KEIKI
âą RICE FOR FOOD BASKET
âą âGLAM BAGSâ FOR HOMELESS WOMEN
âą BOOKS FOR KINDERGARTNERS
âą DICTIONARIES FOR 3RD GRADERS SUSTAINING: Our Two Major Hilo Brewfest Recipients:
âą HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATIONâS RESIDENCY PROGRAM
(Training new doctors and encouraging them to stay here on Hawaii Island)
âą FRIENDS OF THE CHILDRENâS JUSTICE CENTER OF EAST HAWAII
(Enhancing the lives of abused children in East Hawaii)  We donât just meet to learn (and eat, and have fun), we work to help our local communities. Where would you like to fit into this picture?
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AUGUST WAS MEMBERSHIP MONTH... and we focus on LOCAL SERVICE!
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PRO
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2019-09-10 10:00:00Z |
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It's a new Rotary Year, with a new President, a new Board of Directors, and a renewed enthusiasm for helping communities locally and around the Pacific. NEW MEMBER ~ AMOS MEYERS Would you like to become a member of our club? Do you like helping people? How about meeting and forming friendships with people in our community? And donât forget about learning about lots of things... like upcoming projects and concerns. Talk to one of our members or visit us on Fridays at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. EAST HAWAII CLUBS MEET July 30 ~ Rotary Clubs of East Hawaii Meet Rotary members from all East Hawaii Clubs listen to Del Green, one of our Past District Governors, talk about changes and innovations from the 2019 Rotary International Council on Legislation. Del was also able to give us âsneak peeksâ at the 2020 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION that will be held in Honolulu next June! Rotarians from around the world will be meeting and enjoying our Aloha Hospitality... âNo Ka Oi!â THE ROTARY CLUB OF HILO IS INVOLVED IN PROJECTS AROUND THE PACIFIC
1 - INDIA
We join forces with the Wailea-Kihei Club and RotaryInternational to support Health Camps in India that will provide much needed and critical eye surgeries!
2 - NEPAL
Our contributions went for a Sustainable Water project and to continue the development of âTele-Medicineâ that puts local doctors in touch with health care professionals... all by video conferencing!
3 - THAILAND
Could a dialysis machine make a huge difference for a person living in Thailand? How about several dialysis machines and the needed support equipment? Yes to both questions
4 - PHILIPPINES
Establishing a Tele-Medicine Center in Zamboanga City will bring world class heath training and equipment to this
severely under-served area of the Philippines!
5 - BALI
A very high percentage of Bali people suffer from having a leg amputated. Joining in with the Rotary Club of Volcano, our club is raising funds to purchase prosthetic limbs for Bali people.
6 - FIJI
For over 17 years our club has been assisting with projects in Fiji. Helping to build a school for Special
Education pupils has been enhanced by working to provide simple water filtration systems to local families.
7 - BOLIVIA
Education is one of Rotary Internationalâs Central Projects. Providing school supplies and other needed materials helps to develop Bolivian children. Weâre happy to help!
And... of course! Rotary International's Project to END POLIO WORLD WIDE!
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THE ROTARY CLUB OF HILO ... BUSY IN JULY!
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PRO
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2019-08-08 10:00:00Z |
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OUT AND ABOUT IN JUNE June 1-5 ~ Convention in Hamburg, Germany Each year, Rotary world wide holds an International Convention... this year was in Hamburg, Germany. Our clubâs past President and current Assistant District Governor, Randy Hart represented our club... and probably drank some great German beer! June 8 ~ Picnic at Reedâs Bay Our final get-together was on a sunny Saturday and featured pot-luck offerings, good fun and some great grinds! Club members and guests enjoyed a leasurely day of fellowship and food. June 29 ~ Hilo Brewfest at the Wainaku Executive Center It takes a lot of people to put together a massive event... nearly 200 volunteers to âhostâ over
1200 attendees! Good Job, Everyone! One Rotary Year ends... and another begins! June 12 ~ Installation Dinner Rotaryâs calendar year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Our annual June Installation Dinner is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize our achievements and activities and to welcome our new President and her board of directors. Emcee Newton Chu welcomes Anna Liu, our new President, and congratulates Keith Okamoto, our immediate past president, on a terrific year. Welcome board members and officers for our new 2019-2020 Rotary year!
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End of a Great Year... The Beginning of a New One!
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pro
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2019-07-11 10:00:00Z |
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Success! We did it! Such an amazing crowd. People coming together, enjoying a beautiful day, with delicious brews, fantastic food and jamming to great music. New friends were made and old ones were found. Iâm just so pleased with how polite and caring everyone was. The power of good times always comes through! Thank you to the organizing committee, volunteers, vendors, security and most of all THANK YOU all for coming to Hilo Brewfest 2019!
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Brewfest Success
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2019-06-30 10:00:00Z |
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New Members! Charlotte Kekela Yamanaka ~ Enterprises, Inc Laura Kniffin ~ Associa Hawaii And Bringing along the Next Generation! INTERACT at WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL ~ 2019-2020 Interact Clubs which develop young people for leadership roles are based on the same principles of Rotary. Our club sponsors two Interact Clubs, one at Waiakea High School and a second at Laupahoehoe High. Pictured above are some of the Waiakea clubâs new officers for the next school year. (l-r) VP Evan Hill, President Kala Van Veen, and Secretary Ginger Pettijohn. Missing from the photo are Keala Doran and Carina Shintaku. May 31 ~ $5000 Scholarship Awarded to Saesha Hanselman Each year, our club (in addition to other Rotary Clubs) awards a $5000 Scholarship to a graduating High School senior. This year, Saesha Hanselman (shown here between Mitchell Dodo, club Scholalrship Chair and Keith Okamoto, President) plans to attend UH- Hilo with a major in Business Administration. OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE CLUB May 4 ~ Friends of the CJCEH Gala Great food and great company, celebrating the good works of the Friends who help children of abuse. May 11 ~ RICE RALLY at KTA Club members join other Hilo area Rotarians to collect bags of Rice for the Food Basket. Thanks to all the hard work and donations, over 450 fifteen pound bags of rice were collected! May 17-20 ~ Hawaii District Conference Awards and recognition for all the Rotary Clubs in the state! And a welcome to the new incoming Presidents for the 2019-2020 year.
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MAY DOINGS WITH THE CLUB
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Marcia Prose
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2019-06-17 10:00:00Z |
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Brewfest Tickets Available now!
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2019-05-09 10:00:00Z |
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NEW MEMBERS Kelvin Watanabe, Hawaiian Telcom Dwight Matsumoto, Hawaiian Telcom April 12 ~ Hilo Brewfest Ticket Sale Event April 25~ Mini Membership Mixer at Hilo Bay Café April 26 ~ Rotarians Visit Businesses Club Members enjoy a lunch during their Downtown Hilo Visits Kimo Jim checks out a Dodo Mortuary Casket. Seems like there were plenty to choose from! Hawaiian Telcom shows us just how it all works!
And a reminder about our Signature Fundraising event... the 2019 Hilo Brewfest 7th Annual
Hilo Brewfest
Wainaku Executive Center
Its not JUST a Party at the Bay!
Itâs our Signature Fundraiser!
Tickets available now at hilobrewfest.com
Come and enjoy a fun afternoon of nearly 70 beer choices, great food and rockinâ entertainment! Again this year, we will be awarding some of the net proceeds to the Hilo Medical Centerâs Foundation that trains and encourages much needed Doctors to stay in our community. Also for 2019 will be the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii who work to enhance the shattered lives of child victims of abuse and neglect. And during the year, many other smaller bequests help to support our community... like
Rotaryâs RICE RALLY coming up at KTA.
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April 2019... new members and more "doings"
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2019-05-09 10:00:00Z |
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Hilo Brewfest Tickets available now at hilobrewfest.com. Don't miss the Party at the Bay on June 29! March 14 -- Annual Chili and Dessert Cookoff How do you choose the best chili from many offerings? Club members brought their own favorite versions along with some yummy desserts! Mahalo Cooks! March 27 -- Mini Membership Mixer at Wainaku Center What a great way to get to know our own members and meet new people in a casual and friendly setting. Thanks hosts Tina and Tom! March 30 -- Hilo Heart Walk Itâs early in the morning... but the air is fresh and the skies are blue! Club members show up to walk the walk and contribute to the funds raised for research. March 30 -- Rotary Training at Kamehameha School Cafeteria Board members for the upcoming year along with new club members learn about the new focus of Rotary and how to implement ideas in our club. INTERNATIONAL SERVICE IN FIJI March 22 -- Rotary World Water Day Nearly 50% of Fijians use contaminated water sources that can carry leptospirosis, and dysentery diseases. Thanks to our Clubâs Foundation, we were able to pay for clever and simple water filtration systems in homes... affecting nearly 250 people. This is just one of the projects that utilizes funds from our annual Brewfest fundraiser!
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March 2019... a busy and fun Month!
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Marcia Prose
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2019-04-16 10:00:00Z |
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HERE COMES THE 2019 HILO BREWFEST.... ON JUNE 29!  7th Annual Hilo Brewfest at the beautiful Wainaku Executive Center at the edge of Hilo on June 29!
Tickets will be available at an April Ticket Sale Event... bring CASH only and buy your $60 ticket without the EventBrite Fee added in! February 1
Club BREW CREW Kickoff Party! 
It takes a LOT of organization and club volunteer hours to get the Hilo Brewfest on its feet. At our regular Friday Rotary meeting on February 1, we had a short âpre-partyâ for club members... complete with beer on tap! (Our Brew Crew Party Planners wanted to get everyone in the mood!) After a shortened âregularâ meeting, club members were treated to a Power Point and video presentation all about Brewfest!
Literally hundreds of volunteers are needed to stage this massive event with over 1,200 guests in attendance. And some of the jobs MUST BE DONE BY ROTARY MEMBERS...thus a party to get the club invested and involved. BE READY TO GRAB THOSE BREWFEST TICKETS ON OUR APRIL SALE EVENT (Stay tuned for the exact day, time and place.) Tickets will be available online the following day. WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BREWFEST? Online registration will begin on May 1.
If youâre hoping to be a Beer Tender, mark your calendar. Those jobs are filled right away! NEW MEMBER.... NATE CHANG âMini-Mixersâ- Good Food, Good Fun, Good Fellowship February 7
At Pineapples in Downtown Hilo Fresh air and Fellowship along with great food were on the menu for club members and guests. February 17
At Chaing Mai Thai Restaurant Members and guests were too busy eating to remember to take a photo... hereâs a look at one of the dishes! February 21
At The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm.jpg) Fish donât get any fresher than at the Seaside! Looks like a few cocktails were involved also...... February 27
At Jackie Reyâs Ohana Grill âOhana indeed! Club members getting to know each other in this âsmall groupâ setting. International Service in New Delhi, India - During February Club member Jim Becker was working to put together a Rotary Global Grant for the Rotary Eye Center in New Delhi, India. Our club contributed an additional $500 (already had committed nearly $2300) to the multi-club fund, which was added to by donations from Rotary Clubs around the World. 
A second Rotary Grant is to fund a mass cataract surgery screening in the New Delhi slums for prospective patients.
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FEBRUARY, 2019 DOINGS!
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prose
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2019-03-14 10:00:00Z |
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JANUARY WAS VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH Vocational Service represents the opportunity that each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one's vocation as an opportunity to serve society. So when the call for expert âHot Dog Helpâ was sent out by Bobbie Stivers-Apika, Club Vocational Service Chair, to help out at fellow member Chuck Porterâs Grand Opening of the Lex Brodieâs Car Wash/Fast Lube on Saturday, January 26. Two shifts of fast-footed club members arrived to take hot dog orders. (âRed or Brown dog? With Mustand, Ketchup, Relish? And to drink?) January 26 ~ Hot Dog Help at Lex Brodies Cars were lined up out to the street on Kilauea Ave. and waited for a record 376 car washes. And club members hand delivered over 400 hot dogs to people in cars.
FYI Hilo preferred RED dogs to BROWN dogs... 3 to 1! JANUARY WAS ALSO HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH What? Surely we donât have Human Trafficking here on our islands! Unfortunately, studies have shown that in 2018, people, including children, were being sold for sex in the state of Hawaiâi. Sex buyer demand is the culprit of sex trafficking. Addressing sex buyers is a critical step to reducing sex trafficking in HawaiÊ»i.Online Sex buyers create a market for victims to be bought and sold for sex and there is a tremendous incentive for traffickers to sexually exploit children and adults in HawaiÊ»i. MEMBERS "GETTING TO KNOW YOU" January 12 ~ Hilo Civic Center Vulcans Tail-Gater Party
The Vulcanâs Basketball Team is HOT this year... and to get the party going, club members âreportedâ to the Civic to munch on hot dogs (wow! hot dogs, again!) and hamburgers under tents just outside the back doors. Must have worked... the Vulcans won that game! Thanks to club members Coach Jimmy Yagi and UHH Athletic Director Pat Guillen for the invite! January 18 ~ Small Group Mixer at Hula Hulas Pau hana is a great time to sit and talk with fellow members... and imbibe a drink or two along the way. January 21 ~ Small Group Mixer at CafĂ© Pesto Good food and good fellowship came together for a fun dinner out âwith the gangâ. MISSING YOU... January 4 ~ Stew Hussey Memorial Stew, a really smart guy and former Seal, was one of the most gentle gentlemen of our club. Past President and Rotary member for over 20 years, Stew was passionate about International Service and was serving as that Director when he passed away.
You are missed, Stew! CONGRATULATIONS! January 29 ~ Rotary Foundation Dinner Nancy Cabral (left) was presented with a special crystal award for her many years of giving to the Rotary Foundation. Beside her was Brenda Cressey, Rotary Foundation Trustee and Winton Schoneman, our Hawaii Rotary District Governor AND JUST WHAT IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION... AND WHAT DOES IT DO? Rotarians from around the world contribute to this International Foundation that transforms the money into projects that change lives. This well managed Foundation has received the highest marks from CharityNavigator. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.
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JANUARY - 2019 STARTS OFF WITH A BANG!
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2019-02-13 10:00:00Z |
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2018 ROTARY KAMA'AINA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Nearly 40 local crafters selling hand made items Club members and Salvation Army Angel Tree High School Interacters wrapping presents 2018 HILO BREWFEST AWARDS $26,700+ TO THREE LOCAL BENEFICIARIES Dec. 7 ~ $8,902.18 to Puna Lava Relief Dec. 7 ~ $8,902.18 to Hilo Medical Foundationâs Residency Program for new Doctors Dec. 7 ~ $8,902.18 to The Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii HOLIDAY DOINGS Dec. 8 ~ Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army Dec. 14 ~ Our annual Kamana Senior Luncheon Dec. 20 ~ Stockings to Hawaii Island Home for Recovery AND DON'T FORGET OUR YOUTH! Dec. 27 ~ Supporting STEM research for students
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DECEMBER - HELPING OTHERS AND HAVING FUN!
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2019-01-14 10:00:00Z |
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NOVEMBER... HELPING OTHERS IS THE KEY! NEW MEMBERS Lara Hughes, First Hawaiian Bank Katie Wong, First Hawaiian Bank And speaking of MEMBERSHIP... Rotarians are PEOPLE OF ACTION!
We are Community Builders locally and world-wide! We are Problem Solvers Together, we apply our professional experience and personal commitment to tackle our communitiesâ most persistent problems, finding new, effective ways to enhance health, stability, and prosperity across the globe. Join Rotaryâs 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change â across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary is made up of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. The members of these autonomous clubs are called Rotarians, and they form a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, all volunteering their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. November 10 ~ Benches at Rotary Park
Kalanianaole Ave. ~ Hilo  A place to sit down at this pocket ocean Park! New plaques dedicate these benches to Russ Oda, Bobby Fujimoto and Coach Jimmy Yagi. November 17 ~ Gift Wrapping for the
Salvation Army Thanksgiving Luncheon  Cooked turkey was shredded, and small gifts were wrapped in preparation for the noon-time lunch. November 19 ~ Fall Social  Itâs always great to get together informally and have some fun. And fun was had with a craft project, followed by a Pot Luck and Margarita Bar! November 22 ~ Thanksgiving Prep
at the Hawaii Island Home for Recovery  Turkey shredding (again!), ham cutting, pie slicing and other tasks were completed on time for a large luncheon for residents of this home. November 30 ~
Exploring Africa with Susan and Kerry  We are often treated to interesting âtraveloguesâ from our members world adventures. This year, in addition to Africa, weâve âbeenâ to The Maldives, Cuba and England. (They seem to be petting that lion in the photo!) NOVEMBER WAS ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH Rotarians from around the world contribute to this International foundation that transforms the money into projects that change lives. This well managed foundation has received the highest marks from CharityNavigator. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.
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NOVEMBER... ROTARY GIVES THANKS!
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2018-12-17 10:00:00Z |
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KAMA'AINA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Dec.6, 7 & 8 at the Civic Butler Building (Manono at Piilani Streets in Hilo) Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm; Friday from9am to 8pm for your late night shoppers! The Rotary Club of Hilo is proud to host this annual Craft Fair that not only supports local crafters, but also has a "heart"! The BISAC Food Truck and their clothing booth will be on board. BISAC helps people recover from addiction by teaching great real life job skills. The Salvation Army Angel Tree project (Christmas presents for children whose parents are incarcerated) will also be there on Thursday afternoon and during the day on Friday. And the Waiakea High Interact (that's Rotary Junior) will be on hand Friday night and Saturday for gift wrapping by donation.
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KAMA'AINA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
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2018-11-30 10:00:00Z |
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OCTOBER, 2018 Focusing on YOUTH, CLUB ACTIVITIES and INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS! ROTARY AND YOUTH During October Club members arrived at 8 local schools to distribute free age appropriate DICTIONARIES to enthusiastic third grade students... over 311 dictionaries were handed out! Most frequently asked question... âIs this mine to keep?â October 12-14
NexTech 3-Day STEM Camp Students from six high schools learned through robotics, coding, problem solving, leadership and their inspiring one-on-one Career Mentors. October 20+ Waiakea Interact High School students help at KTA Haunted House
It takes a lot of hands to set up a Haunted House... and then to help be part of the fun. And what fun it was for little ones to visit the Spooky House... filled with Boo-worthy surprises! CLUB ACTIVITIES October 5 - Congrats, Coach Jimmy! At this Friday meeting we all found out that Coach Jimmy was awarded the LIVING TREASURES OF HAWAII recognizing his 60+ years of coaching youth basketball. October 18 - Our Annual Chicken Hekka
Fun, food and friends and someone else cooking! Well, actually it was several club members serving as Chefs for the night. And hot sake topped it off! October 27 - âWalk a Mile in Her Shoesâ Club Members put on ladiesâ shoes to support the YWCA. And we won FIRST PLACE TEAM! INTERNATIONAL The Rotary Club of Hilo is joining other Hawai`i and worldwide Clubs to help communities internationally. THAILAND Six new kidney dialysis machines and a health awareness and prevention outreach program. BOLIVIA Renovation of the St. Vincent de Paul Educational Unit with school furniture and training for parents. ROMANIA Support to help start the first multidisciplinary Craniofacial/cleft palate medical team. NEPAL Help to continue the âTelemedicineâ project that allows Nepalese Doctors access to world medical professionals
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OCTOBER, 2018 DOINGS!
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2018-11-14 10:00:00Z |
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Welcome to our New Member! Michael Whitney, Agro Crop. LEARNING IS IMPORTANT September 15 - District Training It takes TRAINED Rotarians to help in our communities and around the world. Over 35 Rotarians gathered together to learn about writing and applying for district and Global grants. Monies raised by club members can be doubled or even tripled by strategic grants. GREAT WORK! September 21 -
Hawaiâi County Fire Chief Darren Rosario speaks to our club Rotary meetings arenât always about what we can do to help people in our community. We also bring in interesting speakers to educate us. Fire Chief Darren Rosario wowed us with all the work our County Fire Department does. As a matter of fact, our County Department is the only one statewide that responds to all 5 areas of concern: Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials and Ocean Safety! GREAT WORK! DEVELOPING YOUTH September 29 -
Waiakea High School Interact helps out at the annual Alzheimersâ Walk. Interact (Rotary Junior) club members get to the Walk early, help get everything set up, cheer on the participants and then help clean up and store all the supplies and equipment. These students are learning early that all people need to âgive backâ to our communities to ensure that needed services get to the people who need them. GREAT WORK! A school year of reading to Kindergarten classes! 
August to May, club members arrive each month in 14 local schools and read to nearly 470 Kindergarten students... leaving the book for the classroom and often leaving a copy of the book for each student. Learning to enjoy reading is critical to developing most all of the cognitive skills needed to succeed in life. And... itâs fun for our club readers, too. The kids wave and get all excited when the reader comes into the classroom. GREAT WORK! LET'S END POLIO THIS YEAR! October 24 is WORLD POLIO DAY 
Rotary International Started Polio Eradication In 1988 With 350,000 Cases World Wide 1905 Polio recognized as a contagious disease by Swedish Dr. Ivar Wickman.
1916 Huge Polio outbreak in New York City kills 6,000 people, cripples more.
1955 Dr. Jonas Salk develops vaccine.
1960 Oral Polio vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin, approved for use.
1979 Rotary International begins the fight by immunizing 6 million children in the Philippines.
1985 Rotary International and World Health Organization launch the Global Eradication Initiative with an estimated 350,000 cases in 125 countries.
1994 Polio eradicated in the Americas.
1995 165 million children in China and India immunized in one week.
2000 550 million children immunized.
2006 Only four countries in the world still report polio cases. GREAT WORK! 2018 Only 18 cases of polio WORLD WIDE! 14 in Afghanistan, 4 in Pakistan Want to help? DONATE at www.endpolio.org/donate
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Busy times in September
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Marcia
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2018-10-15 10:00:00Z |
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Dogwood Initiative 2001 Update In 2001 the Rotary Club of Hilo donated seeds and seedlings towards Hiroshima, Japan's Dogwood Initiative 2001 project. In 2004 these were planted along the Kyobashi-gawa River to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Recently the club received this update of the success of this project to symbolize peace.
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Dogwood Initiative 2001 Update
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2018-09-19 10:00:00Z |
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FOUR NEW MEMBERS! Katie Osborne, Y Hata Chris Corley, Geologist Danielle Bratton, Salvation Army Jacob Bratton, Salvation Army ROTARY WORKING TO FINISH UP KUA O KA LA IN TIME FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL August 4 - Work Continues! Keiki (left) co-founder of the school, takes a moment to share âHoniâ with hard working Rotarian Jeremiah Leonard as work continues at the School location. August 4 - Last Weekend Work Day Rotarians come together on Sunday - Benson Medina (South Hilo Club), Randy Hart (Hilo Club & Assât District Governor), Win Schoneman (District Governor) and Ron Cutler (Pahoa Sunset Club) take a moment to laugh. August 8 - First Day of School Elementary students start arriving and canât wait to explore their new classrooms! Pau just in time! Our Sister Rotary Club from Japan! Thanks to our beloved Russ Oda, the Rotary Club of Hilo has enjoyed a nearly 50 year association with the Rotary Club of Hiroshima South, sponsoring exchange students and visiting each othersâ clubs. 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 17 - Hiroshima South members and students arrive at the Hilo Airport! 
Our Club Members greet our visiting Japanese friends, presenting lei and posing for a group photo with a combined Rotary Club banner. August 17 - Dinner at the Yacht Club Posing outside (in the dark!) at the Yacht Club, our Rotary Japanese friends and our club members display a âBig Checkâ from our club to theirs to help in the recovery of the disastrous flooding in Japan. August 18 - Fun at the Annual Steak Fry! Rotarians chow down on steak, sushi, vegetables... and of course some liquid aloha at a packed party. Our Japanese visitors, many tired after a ârough day of golfâ, mingle with our club members August 18 - SHAKA and KANPAI! Two of our fellow Japanese Rotarians salute our on-going friendship and mutual support with a sake KANPAI! and a local style SHAKA during the dinner. Golf winners were announced, food was consumed, fun was had by all. August 18 - Meanwhile with the Students.... Despite an amazing amount of rain, our visiting Japanese students were joined by the Waiakea High School Interact Club (Rotary Junior!) for fun and adventures. Piling onto a sailboat, these international friends had a great time!
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Busy, Busy, Busy in August!
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2018-09-13 10:00:00Z |
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Are you a local crafter? Want to join a large group of "kama'aina" folks who make and sell their own items. No re-sellers are allowed. And the booth fee is a very good deal. Email me (see the graphic) if you are interested.
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Rotary Sponsors A Christmas Craft Fair
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2018-09-06 10:00:00Z |
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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 itâs also about fun! These âmixersâ 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 .jpg) Rotary Knows How to Help With Disaster Relief - Focus on Kua O Ka La
Many people may be familiar with Rotary Internationalâs 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 itâs no surprise that local Rotary Clubs here in East Hawaii have banded together to raise funds for Puna. The âRotary Fund for Puna Lava Reliefâ was started within days of the first eruptions. Housed through the Hawaiâi Rotary Districtâs Foundation, all donations are tax deductible as the foundation is a 501©(3) accredited organization. (donate at www.rotaryd5000.org)
.jpg) 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 âcampusâ 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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JULY begins a New Rotary Year
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2018-08-10 10:00:00Z |
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JUNE ACTIVITIES CAP OUR GREAT ROTARY YEAR! "BE THE INSPIRATION" IS OUR NEW YEAR'S INTERNATIONAL THEME  Rotary International, with over 1.2 million members worldwide and over 35,000 clubs, has a mission to help âpeople unite and take action to create lasting change â across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselvesâ. And each new Rotary year, there is a new theme. Ending in June, last yearâs theme was âMaking a Differenceâ; this new year the world-wide theme is âBe the Inspirationâ. Rotary is People of Action
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. Through Rotary clubs world-wide, people from all continents and cultures come together to exchange ideas, and form friendships and professional connections while making a difference in their backyards and around the world. Helping to end polio, seeking new ways to create peace, bolstering education, creating new sources of clean water... all these tasks and many more are projects of Rotary. Want to be the âInspirationâ? Consider joining with Rotary and find your own âinspiration.â Meet new people, help create change in the world and pitch in to assist right here in East Hawaii. E komo mai. Inspiring in Our Community June 16 ~ Small-House Project in Pahoa for Lava-impacted Evacuees An amazing collection of people gathered to put together small housing for the Lava impacted Evacuees, and representatives of the Rotary Club of Hilo were on hand to help with painting and erecting of canopy tents. Inspiring in the World -- Fiji For 10+ years, our club has been helping out in Fiji... with a focus on the Nadi Centre for Special Education. We've helped build a building and supplied school supplies.Several years ago a major hurricane hit Fiji. Our club, additional Hawaiâi Rotary clubs, Hawaiiâs Rotary District 5000 and others in the community raised over $80,000 to provide SHELTER BOXES for the Fijian residents who no longer had a roof over their heads The Hilo Brewfest, our annual fundraiser, a great success! June 23 - A major Party-on-the-beautiful-Bay with over 1100 people!
It really was fun to meet friends, enjoy beer tasting, great food and rockinâ entertainment while also providing our club with net profits that go to helping people right here in East Hawaiâi. Added to our reoccurring beneficiaries that help train new doctors and provide needed items to abused children, this year weâve included help for Puna Lava Relief.
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JUNE ENDS OUR "ROTARY YEAR"
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2018-07-12 10:00:00Z |
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OUT AND ABOUT IN MAY May 2 ~ Membership Mixer at Wai'oli Lounge Potential members met some of our club members. May 4 ~ Friends' Gala Honors Our Club In spite of two big earthquakes, past, present and future Presidents of our Club (with our PR person) attend The Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center Gala, one of our annual Brewfest beneficiaries. May 25 ~ President Steve shows off our five District Awards from the Rotary Conference Two First Places in Youth Services and Public Image and three First Runners-up in Vocational Service, Community Service and Club Foundation Giving! May 26 ~ We get our "Cowboy" on! Our members enjoyed an old fashioned country âHoe Downâ at Gay and Chuck Porterâs beautiful Waikiâi Ranch on a partly sunny Saturday. Featuring Bar-B-Que and Irish line dancing, guests were also treated to an up close visit with 14 year old âWinstonâ their nearly 180 pound boar. Our Club bands together to help the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset as they take on a Puna Lava Relief Project President Steve Handy, Kahea Rosehill (Sun Construction), Jim Becker (Rotary Global Grant Specialist) and Cel Ruwethin (Salvation Army) stand up for Ron Cutler (center - Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset). Ron came to visit and tell us of the real situation in Puna. Rotary is on board to help! Rotary Knows How to Help With Disaster Relief!
Many people may be familiar with Rotary Internationalâs 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 itâs no surprise that local Rotary Clubs here in East Hawaii are banding together to raise funds for Puna. The âRotary Fund for Puna Lava Reliefâ was started within days of the first eruptions. Housed through the Hawaiâi Rotary Districtâs Foundation, all donations are tax deductible as the foundation is a 501©(3) accredited organization.
Our 6th Annual Hilo Brewfest has added the Rotary Fund for Puna Lava Relief as a beneficiary of our festival. So please, come party with us and help Puna... all in an afternoonâs âworkâ!
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MAY DOINGS AT RCOH
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Marcia Prose
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2018-06-18 10:00:00Z |
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Rotary has the ability to handle large scale relief operations! We're glad that so many people and organizations are donating to funds that are helping the People of Pahoa. Here's your chance to donate to a ROTARY fund that will help w-a-a-a-y beyond the immediate needs. Homes have burned, other homes are damaged by earthquakes, and still other homes are buried under lava. Donate now at: rotaryd5000.org. Look for the article about Pahoa with this image and use the DONATE BUTTON. Let's all come together to help Pahoa in a big way.
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Help Pahoa through Rotary d5000!
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Marcia
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2018-05-14 10:00:00Z |
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Rotary Club of Hilo... busy during April! For this month's posting, we'll show a bit about the doings of our club interspersed with ROTARY's international causes. April 6 - Club Business Visitations BJ PENN DODO MORTUARY HILO MEDICAL CENTER It's always good to know what our club members' businesses are all about... and it's always fun to meet in a new place! For April, club members could choose from three different businesses to visit... BJ PENN, DODO MORTUARY or HILO MEDICAL CENTER! ROTARY CAUSE #1 - PROMOTING PEACE Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas. April 15 - Our Annual Chili Cookoff! Judging the chili is serious business! Plenty chili and desserts along with wine and beer make for a fun evening! ROTARY CAUSE #2 - FIGHTING DISEASE We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas. ROTARY CAUSE #3 - PROVIDING CLEAN WATER We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We donât just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term. April 22 - Tree Planting Continues! What else could be a perfect project for Earth Day than planting more trees! ROTARY CAUSE #4 -- SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger. April 27 - High School Interact Clubs Students from both the Waiakea High School and the Laupahoehoe High School Interact Clubs meet up for fun and a chance to get to know one another. ROTARY CAUSE #5 - SUPPORTING EDUCATION More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. ROTARY CAUSE #6 - GROWING LOCAL ECONOMIES We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
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APRIL IN ROTARY
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2018-05-09 10:00:00Z |
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RCOH GOES TO FIJI!  For over 10 years, our club has been helping out in Fiji... with a focus on the Nadi Centre for Special Education. We've helped build a building and over the years supplied school supplies, books and other needed materials for the students. Several years ago when a major hurricane hit Fiji hard, our club, joined by other Rotary clubs, Hawaiâi District Rotary and local community members, raised over $80,000 to provide SHELTER BOXES for the Fijian residents who no longer had a roof over their heads. Most recently, a group of six club members and Hawaiâi District Governor Nalani Flinn traveled to Fiji to provide a freezer, a gas cook stove, household items and rugs along with story books for the Nadi School. A second school visit to the Lautoka Methodist primary school distributed books to the eager learners! Imua! Rotary Club of Hilo and Fiji! NEW MEMBERS IN MARCH ELLE LEE, Elite Pacific Properties DEBRA TEICHMAN, Elite Pacific Properties KEEPING BUSY AND HAVING FUN! March 2 ~ Dr. Seuss Birthday Reading 
âCat in the Hatâ and other great Dr. Seuss books were read to youngsters in school to celebrate reading for his birthday celebration. March 11 ~ âHigh Teaâ for Women in Rotary 
Rotary women from our club and others here in East Hawaii came together to recognize and celebrate women and all they do for Rotary clubs. March 17 ~ Clean up at âRotary Parkâ 
Students from the Waiakea HS Interact Club and club members worked at the Kalaniana'ole Park... raking and picking up litter. March 18 - Big Island Marathon 
Another year and another marathon where our club members and friends helped out at a Relief Station... followed by a great breakfast! March 24 ~ Rotary District Training 
Incoming club board members, members and new club Rotarians turned out to get great help and ideas at this District Conference tor the Island of Hawaiâi.
SAVE THE DATE! ~ SAT ~ JUNE 23
HILO BREWFEST
Beer Tasting! Food Sampling! and Rock nâ Roll!
Tickets will be available on May 4 on our website:www.hilobrewfest.com
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RCOH's OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONALLY!
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2018-04-12 10:00:00Z |
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YEAH... TWO NEW MEMBERS PATTY BRAY ~ HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATION JD DOMIZIO ~ HILO MEDICAL FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS POLIO PLUS Charlene Meyers, Hawai'i's Polio Plus Chair reported that our club has achieved 327% of our stated goal to help support Rotary Internationalâs campaign to end polio. Way to go, members! February 23 ~ Sharing our Rotary Club Flag President Steve Handy exchanges Club Flags with Emii Kato of the Rotary Club of Tokyo Roppongi. February 23
We join forces with the Rotary Club Kihei-Wailea to support a Rotary International Global Grant that will help with Health Camps and needed Eye Surgeries in India. KEEPING BUSY AND HAVING FUN IN FEBRUARY! GETTING TO KNOW OUR CLUB MEMBERS! February 2 ~ Who is member Pat Guillen?
Pat is UH HIloâs Athletic Director and shared with us his sometimes hilarious methods of sending resumĂ©s! February 2 ~ Who is member Newton Chu?
Newton is a Director of the Hawaii Island for Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris and Knorek, Attorneys at Law. February 15 ~ Valentineâs Membership Mixer
Want new members? Want current members to show up at a function? Is there a better way to entice a crowd than offer wine and a few sake tastings combined with great food! Many thanks to Ryan Kadota of Kadota Liquors who really knows his stuff! February 23 ~ Our Club loves to help the Friends of the Childrenâs Justice Center of East Hawaii
The Friends were in desperate need of new packages of underwear for abused children who are taken from their homes. (Did you see the Friends âadâ from last monthâs page about the Drive?). Pat Guillen and Bobby Stivers-Apika help to fill a bag with new underwear packages held by club member Marcia Prose. February 23-25 ~ Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
RYLA an annual leadership camp for high school students is a collaboration of all nine Rotary Clubs on Island. This year's successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp is thanks to the Rotary Club of Hilo as Host Club and its chair, Jennifer Tanouye. Outstanding leadership learning and opportunities to meet new students were the highlights for students from 10 different island schools. Mahalo to business sponsors: Iris Kuwaye of State Farm Insurance; Cary Ichinose of State Farm Insurance; Hilo Produce and Waterman.
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FEBRUARY, 2018 - SHORT MONTH - BUSY CLUB MEMBERS!
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2018-03-19 10:00:00Z |
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January 20 ~ Weed Whacking and more at Kaivao Farms .jpg) 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 Hawaiâi 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 âGiving is Good.â You can guess the theme for the evening was âgiving.â 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.
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NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW INFO, SERVICE AND FUN FOR RCOH
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2018-02-05 10:00:00Z |
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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... hereâs 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 CafĂ© 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. Arenât we glad itâs WARM here in Hawaiâi! 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 Dirkâs entertainment! A fun time every year. DECEMBER 22 -- HELPING WITH GIFT WRAPPING FOR THE HOMELESS KEIKI CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Itâs 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!
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DECEMBER HOLIDAY DOINGS IN THE CLUB
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2018-01-10 10:00:00Z |
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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 â 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 â 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 canât 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 âfixinsâ at Aunty Sallyâs 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! Itâs 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.
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Club Members were very busy in November!
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2017-12-14 10:00:00Z |
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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. Weâve now planted a tree for all our members... but that wonât 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! Weâre 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 ~ YWCAâs 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 âRiff Raffâ 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 isnât good enough... ZERO is the magic number... and you can help:
Log on to www.rotaryd5000.org and click on RIDE FOR POLIO!
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Work and Play in October, 2017!
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2017-11-15 10:00:00Z |
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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 isnât 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 ~ Wouldnât you want a clean Park for the Queenâs Birthday? Rotary members turn out with rakes and brooms to get the Queen Liliâuokalani Gardens all âspiffedâ 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 (thatâs our membership... and thatâs 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 âWalking the Walk!â. September 17 ~ Rotary District Meeting Itâs important to plan... especially with projects that are local and internationally. Club members met with other Rotary Club members to âget the big pictureâ. September 30 ~ Laupahoehoe and Waiakea High School Interact students and club members help clean up areas in Queen
Liliâuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island and the nearby fishing areas. This beach clean up was part of the International project âGet the Drift and Bag Itâ.
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September was another Busy Month!
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2017-10-18 10:00:00Z |
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 The Club donates backpacks and water bottles for deserving keiki The Hawaii County Police Department again staged a âBackpack Driveâ 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. âItâs an important part of feeling like a child âbelongsâ⊠is no different than other kids,â said the Clubâs Community Service director, Wally Wong. âResearch shows that underprivileged keiki do better in school when they are not âsingled outâ as different. Having a brand new backpack may seem like a small thing, but its effect can be powerful,â concluded Wong. âThe Rotary Club of Hilo is proud to continue this annual donation,â said Steve Handy Jr, current Club President. âI 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. Thatâs a lot of savings for needy kids and a great annual project for our club,â said Handy.
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BACKPACKS FOR KEIKI
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2017-09-18 10:00:00Z |
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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 Liliâuokalaniâs 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
âMany Handsâ make the work go quickly, especially when you are painting! Our Youth are Important! August 4 ~ âSTEMâ 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 âupside down houseâ that is only one of several strange upside down life-size items found in Borneo!
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AUGUST RCOH !
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2017-09-11 10:00:00Z |
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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 Childrenâs 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 âRotary Parkâ. 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 Hawaiâi clean!
Weed pulling prevents unwanted invasive species being transported up to higher elevation areas of
Maunakea. 29 bags of fireweed wonât 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 âTen Signs of Alzheimersâ. (Donât 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 âbike-careâ advice. July 28 ~ Coaches Daniel Kuramoto and Misty Ambrosio tell us about âSurf Soccer Club" that trains keiki and helps to get them on the road to success... in soccer and life.
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A Busy July, 2017
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2017-08-07 10:00:00Z |
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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 GOVERNORâS 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 âBACKS INTO IT!â
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 BISACâs Keaau garden
Served Seniors at a Kamana Luncheon
Helped with Salvation Armyâs 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 Liliuâokalani Birthday in the Park keiki booth
Salvation Armyâs Thanksgiving luncheon
T-shirt sales at Laupahoehoe Music Festival
âRice Rallyâ at KTA SuperStores
Appearing in the annual Merrie Monarch Parade
Our Clubâs Salvation Armyâs 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 Foundationâs Residency Program
$13,850 to the Friends of the Childrenâs 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 âCamp Agapeâ for keiki of incarcerated parents
- Over 60 âGlam Bagsâ for homeless women with needed hygiene products through Hope Services
Dollars to âbuyâ a solar panel at the Palace Theater
And many other projects! AND, OF COURSE, FUN! ROTARY ISNâT ALL WORK AND MEETINGS... THEREâS A WHOLE LOT OF FUN, TOO!
Chicken Hekka "cook-your-own-dinnerâ
Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Competition
WikiFresh food, selfies and more at this âmixerâ
Celebrating our 96 years of Rotary combined with a Holiday Mixer at the Wainaku Executive Center.
Silent Movie Night at the Palace in costume âmixerâ
Mardi Gras Party in costume ( of course!) âmixerâ
Historic Lorraine Penn/Shin Home visit and tour
Aomatsu Tonkatsu dining, cooked by our own club member
Wai Oli Lounge get together and âmixerâ
Beer Sampling at Mehana Brewery
Yacht Club Party with our Japanese sister club
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What A Year! July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
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Marcia Prose
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2017-07-07 10:00:00Z |
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May 11 ~ Rotary Park in Hilo ~ Our "Golden Three" .jpg) The meeting held on Thursday, 5/11/17, was no ordinary club meeting. It was a very special event that celebrated our distinguished âGOLDEN THREEâ 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 waterâs 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 Fujimotoâs monetary contributions allowed the club to extend its service and aid both locally and internationally. Jimmy Yagiâs 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 âyoung oneâ in the group; however, donât 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 clubâs connection to the Rotary Club of South Hiroshima.
After presenting the âGolden Threeâ with certificates of Appreciation, Mayor Kim noted that we all should leave this place that we call home a better place. These âGolden Threeâ 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 Friendsâ 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 ~ âGlam Bagsâ 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 clubâs 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!
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May 2017
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2017-06-05 10:00:00Z |
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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! 
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HILO BREWFEST MAKES IT TO THE BIG TIME!
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Marcia
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2017-05-15 10:00:00Z |
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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 ~ Hokuleâa Talk by Wally Wong At a club meeting at the YMCA, Wally regaled the members with tales and photos of the canoeâs 48 mile journey through the Panama Canal.   April 27 ~ Weâre visited by World Travelers! Rotarians Sita Rupalcheti from Kathmandu, Nepal and Gunther and Helena Acheson from Remstal, Germany visit our club and present Rotary âbannersâ. Our own club members take âourâ 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 âdown nâ dirtyâ 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 yearâs 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 âGiraffes Canât Danceâ 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!
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April 2017
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2017-05-09 10:00:00Z |
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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.
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Celebrating the Life of Theresa English
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Kerry Glass
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2016-12-17 10:00:00Z |
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Posted on Jun 30, 2016
The Rotary Club of Hilo had it's new installation of officers. It's the beginning of a new year and another year of service to the community. (Pictured: Past Year President Wally Wong and Current Year President Randy Hart)
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Welcome incoming president Randy
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2016-06-30 10:00:00Z |
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Posted on Jun 30, 2016
Thank you to our Breweries, Restaurants, Sponsors, 150+ Volunteers and YOU!
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Another successful Hilo Brew Fest
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2016-06-30 10:00:00Z |
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Posted on Jun 12, 2016
What a great year for the Rotary Club of Hilo. In the Large Club Division we Took First Place for International Service and Public Image and First Runner Up in Youth Service.
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Yearly Awards
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2016-06-12 10:00:00Z |
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Ceremonious tree planting with the Rotary Club of Hiroshima South.
Pictured l to r: Wally Wong, Harvey Tajiri, Rimban Jeffery Soga, Reverend Daido Baba, Shigeo Mimura, Gakuhito Ito and Takuya Maekawa.
In celebration of our 95th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Hilo and the Rotary Club of Hiroshima South, planted a black pine tree in the Liliuokalani Gardens as a symbol of peace and friendship. Both clubs have held a Rotary Sister Club relationship over the last sixty years with the sharing of cultural traditions, youth education and fellowship.
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95th Anniversary Tree Planting
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2015-12-06 10:00:00Z |
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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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Rotaract Club of Port Louis, Mauritius "Live with Dignity"
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2015-09-21 10:00:00Z |
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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.
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Malama Honua
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Stew Hussey
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2015-08-16 10:00:00Z |
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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.
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Kaumana Cleanup
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2015-08-06 10:00:00Z |
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