Last Friday I was able to stop in briefly at the Palama Christmas Celebration event, because I had other commitments both before and after. There I found Ian Wetherell helping to organize families with children to have their photos taken with Shaka Santa (our very own Rick Tabor) and Tutu Mele (Linda Coble). Unfortunately, I did not find Christian Stockwell or Nik Jirikowic who were also there helping out, but you can find pictures of all of us in this Tradewind. There were hundreds of children with their families enjoying everything that Palama Settlement had to offer, including food, games and music in addition to the pictures with Santa. It was incredible to see, and it really gave me a good sense of what our contributions to the community mean to those who benefit from our support.
I hope everyone was able to celebrate (or if you do not celebrate, at least enjoy) the Christmas holiday. I spent the day with my family opening presents, eating coffee cake and enjoying the virtual fireplace that we found on YouTube. It was a wonderful day, and I hope that all of you were able to spend some quality time with friends and family. Maybe some of you also indulged in a little midday yard work as I did because the winter rain doesn’t really take a holiday!
Next week, while there will be much noise and celebration on Wednesday for New Year’s Eve, on Tuesday (December 30) we will be having our own celebration of fellowship and talk-story at The Pacific Club. At the moment it looks like we will have an “intimate” (read, small) group, but I’m hoping that some of you will decide at the last minute to join us if you are on-island. I know that many of you have gone elsewhere to celebrate the holidays, but the last meeting of the calendar year will only be in-person. There will be no Zoom component until our first meeting in the New Year (January 6), at which Crystal Rose, Board Chair, and Jack Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Kamehameha Schools will talk to us about how they are navigating the current moment. I hope to see many of you at both of these upcoming events, as well as all of the other exciting activities we have planned for the rest of my Rotary Year as President.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, Tutu Mele Linda Coble & Shaka Santa Rick Tabor along with a few Rotarians & several Palama Settlement folks wrapped up another year of Christmas Holiday Parties! Ho Ho Ho!
Everyone Loves a Holiday Picture with The Lady & Man in Red! Smile! Ho Ho Ho… They took pictures with Palama Families from 4:00 -8:00pm!
Mahalo Nui Loa for all the help, everyone! From Tutu Mele Linda to all our incredible Rotarians & all of Palama helpers. I tell ta what, lots of rain didn’t stop anyone from ‘Oh What Fun!’
Sam Aiona expected 2000, tonight’s tropical rain cut into that, a bit. No matter, the Christmas Holiday Spirit was ever Present! From Young to ‘Seasoned’ everyone was grateful, humble and filled with Joy!
Happy Holidays Everyone! We’ll do it again, next year!
Shared on behalf of Rob Hale, Chair, Centennial Park Committee
Aloha Rotarians,
Our “Finish the Park” effort has made significant progress this year. Thank you for your continued belief in the vision for Centennial Park Waikīkī.
Our all-volunteer Rotary Centennial Park Committee is actively supervising the Phase 2 construction plans and the final fundraising push to secure the remaining $75,000 necessary to complete increments 3 and 4 of the park.
2025 Highlights
In February, 27 granite pedestal stools were placed on site in clusters throughout the park.
In June, Rotary volunteers enhanced the completed raised platform with new plantings around the front of the stage. In addition, park beautification and snail pest control is on-going, thanks to participants in Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i’s adult day program for persons with developmental disabilities.
In September, the Honolulu City Council approved the donor recognition signs, which will be mounted on three large pōhaku (stones) already placed in the park.
In November, the contract for increment 3 of Phase 2 construction was signed with Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company and its sub-contractors.
As I write this letter, the 2026 construction schedule is being finalized.
2026 Installation Plans
New metal perimeter fencing with three lockable entrance gates.
Historic, educational and Rotary’s story in Hawai‘i signage, as well as donor recognition and additional landscaping (increment 4) will be installed subsequent to the completion of the fencing.
We can all be proud of Centennial Park Waikīkī, one of our Club’s largest enduring legacy projects that positively impacts residents and visitors to the park now, and for years to come.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season,
Please sign up to volunteer, all you Rotarians & Please Invite All Your High School Students to join us!
Our hope is to reach every Oahu High School student with this incredible opportunity. Please foward/share this information with anyone you think would benefit!
We’re also available for RYLA Presentations… but we better hurry, January 30 is just around the corner.
Did we mention, it’s Free!? Rotary sponsors everyone.
Everything you need to know - timeframe, costs, project, and post-tour information is in the link below! Passports and travel arrangements must be made in advance.
To sign up for this amazing International Service Project, click this link. Reserve your spot by 15 January 2026!
If you have a project you'd like to present, please complete the Project Recommendation Form and email to our Director of Community Services, Nancy HERE.
Do you have a speaker recommendation? If so, please complete theSpeaker Recommendation Formand send it to RCOH Administrator, HERE. She will submit all forms to the Speaker Committee.
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