The atmosphere was electric at our Club meeting this week, as guest speaker Colin Yost illuminated how the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission operates and the critical role it plays in regulating our basic utilities infrastructure. Mahalo to Colin for answering our many questions, and his commitment to research and innovation that safeguards the current and future infrastructure of our islands.
It was a joy to greet special guests Past District Governor Nancy Cabral, Ken Sniffen, JR Darnell and Bill Wallace, and to welcome back traveling Rotarians: Maria Song, Jack Kunkel, Nancy Youngren and Rich Proctor.
There was also sad news to report in our Rotary ‘ohana. Jeff Nash, Executive Director of Habilitat, the addiction treatment center in Kaneohe, passed away on 9/15. A minute of silence was observed during our meeting in his honor. Jeff recovered from addiction himself through Habilitat and spent nearly 40 years helping others. He was a Rotary Club of Honolulu member from February 2023 to June 2025 and left due to his cancer treatment. The Jeff Nash Legacy Fund has been established in his memory at Habilitat.
Our sympathy also goes out to PP Ron Tsukamaki, whose devoted wife Gay passed away on 9/17. Ron was Club President for 1995-96 and Gay attended many of our Club activities. Thank you to Reese Liggett for creating the special Rotary sympathy cards, and to everyone who is reaching out to Ron with support and aloha.
Mahalo to everyone who participated in our recent on-line surveys Community Service and Membership and to Clif Purkiser, Brian Dunkel, Gigi Davidson and Bridget Townsend who organized the effort. Your responses and ideas offered valuable information to the Board and committee members about preferences, what’s working and what can be improved. Results will be available to all Club members soon.
This weekend offers you a heartfelt way to demonstrate Service Above Self. Rick Tabor heads up the effort at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to honor the 1,400 WWII soldiers who rest there with a flower and flag on each grave. No sign up, simply show up at Punchbowl on Saturday between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. On Sunday, District Governor Elect Rich Proctor will represent Rotary at the annual Joint Memorial Service at 9:30 a.m., and on Monday, volunteers can remove the flags starting at 8:00 a.m.
We’re back at The Pacific Club next week Tuesday, September 29 with guest speaker, Keith Hayashi, Superintendent of the Hawai‘i Department of Education.
Please stay safe this weekend with stormy times ahead, and I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!
Mahalo nui loa,
Carolann Biederman
President
The Rotary Club of Honolulu
UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKER
KEITH HAYASHI
Superintendent, Hawaii Department of Education (DOE)
Mark your calendar for this Pau Hana in Centennial Park Waikīkī, our Club’s enduring legacy project. There is no regularly scheduled lunch at the Pacific Club on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Though the park is closed for construction, we have access for a guided tour, followed by a short, informative program, Q&A, sunset and refreshments in the Penthouse Suite at the Courtyard by Marriott Waikīkī Beach across the street. All Club members, especially new and potential members are encouraged to attend.
Cooperation and collaboration are key words for Rotary this year. There are six clubs in our O‘ahu Waikiki Hui under Assistant Governor David Livingston: Ala Moana, Aloha HI International, Honolulu Sunset, Kaka‘ako Eco, and the Waikiki Rotary Club. One way we’re helping each other is by sharing event information. Click below for the flyers.
On Sat. Sept. 26 beginning at 8:00 am until complete, volunteers will be provided with a bucket containing 12 anthuriums and American flags, along with a map to guide you in carrying out this honorable task.
Annual Joint Memorial Service for WWII Veterans
You are also cordially invited to attend the Joint Memorial Service on Sunday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m., which will also be held at Punchbowl.
Annual Cleanup of the Graves at Punchbowl
Finally, on Monday, September 28, we will gather once more to retrieve the flags while leaving the flowers in place. This cleanup effort will begin at 8:00 a.m. Any time and help you can offer to honor our heroes is profoundly appreciated.
On the District website (www.rotaryd5000.org) there are two places where you can help with donations for those affected by recent hurricane activity. At the top of the District website, you'll see an icon that says, “Disaster Relief Donations”. Click on the icon if you want to help fellow Rotarians who have been affected by the storms. This donation is not tax deductible.
ROTARY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL GROUP EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The Rotary Young Professional Exchange Program provides young professionals with a wonderful opportunity to experience another country’s culture, community, and vocation while building lifelong Rotary connections.
Last July, three young professionals from Hawai'i traveled to Thailand for 20 days as part of this exchange program.
October 11-17, 2026, four young professionals from Thailand will be visiting Hawai'i. This is a wonderful opportunity to share our Hawaiian hospitality, culture, and way of life while getting to know these young professionals from Thailand.
If you are interested, please contact Beth Hoban, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset at (808) 306-4241 orbhoban808@gmail.com.
If you would like to help, watch for the signup sheet or contact your Administrator!
VOLUNTEERS
Sep. 29, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen & Tammy Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Ian Wetherell & Nancy White
Pledge:
Drake Beil
Music:
Al Linton
Inspiration / Induction:
This meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
VOLUNTEERS
Oct. 06, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen & Tammy Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Pledge:
Rich Proctor
Music:
Inspiration / Induction:
This meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Dennis Lind
September 6
Ivan Chong
September 11
Gwen Yamamoto Lau
September 21
R Lucci Pinoliad
September 22
Leslie Allen
September 26
David Low
September 27
Al Linton
September 29
Anniversaries
Nancy Pace
Mel Kaneshige
September 18
Nancy Youngren
Rich Proctor
September 20
Rich Proctor
Nancy Youngren
September 20
Al Linton
Kathleen Funk-Linton
September 24
Join Date
Tim Johns
September 1, 1994
32 years
Paul Saito
September 6, 2011
15 years
Michael Healy
September 19, 2023
3 years
Michelle Dolan
September 19, 2023
3 years
Al Linton
September 21, 2004
22 years
Dennis Lind
September 24, 2024
2 years
Ernest Hui
September 24, 1985
41 years
Michael Marsh
September 25, 2018
8 years
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
If you have a project you'd like to present, please complete the Project Recommendation Form and email to our Director of Community Services, Gigi 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.
As a courtesy and respect to our sponsors and venues please click on the following links and read the policies.
1451 Queen Emma Street
