Many have noted that the human capacity to process traumatic events is remarkable, especially in moments as devastating as witnessing the scenes of 9/11/2001. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard about the attacks in New York, just as vividly as I recall learning of the Challenger space shuttle disaster years earlier. The grief and sense of loss from such tragedies can remain sharp, even decades later.
It is no surprise, then, that our speaker this week stirred difficult memories for many of us as we watched the behind-the-scenes footage from CNN on that fateful day. We still mourn those who lost their lives and the loved ones left behind, even after all these years. Yet hearing Carol Lin’s account of navigating the chaos and aftermath of the terrorist attacks offers valuable insight, both for those of us who lived through it and for those who know these events only through the lens of history.
One of the greatest gifts of being part of the Rotary Club of Honolulu is our shared ‘ohana, which provides a foundation we can rely on in times of challenge and in moments of celebration. I cherish both of these in their own way. Normally in these messages, I make an effort to highlight specific members with whom I have had meaningful interactions during the week. Today, however, I want simply to express my appreciation for every member of our Club, along with the family and friends who support our mission to strengthen our island community. Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Next week our regular meeting at The Pacific Club will feature a presentation by Stanford Carr, lead developer of the new Aloha Stadium complex, as well as a limited Annual Meeting to vote in our President Elect Nominee and three new members of our Board of Directors. I look forward to many of you joining us both in person and on Zoom in order to participate in this annual ritual of renewal for our club.
Join Shaka Santa (aka Rick Tabor) and Tutu Mele (aka Linda Coble) to bring holiday joy to hundreds of kids!
Assistance includes help with parking and managing snack stations, which include shaved ice, hot dogs, and popcorn. The volunteer call time will be at 3:00 PM, and volunteers are asked to stay until 9:00 PM to help with cleanup.
The deadline has passed, so they might not have enough volunteer shirts and bentos, however they still need volunteers! Please complete the volunteer form andemail it by the deadline. Once Palama has the final list, they will give specific assignments and any additional details.
This announcement is to let you all know that in two weeks, at our regular meeting on December 16, we will have a brief Annual Meeting at which we will vote on the nominees selected by our Nomination Committee and President Elect Carolann Biederman for the upcoming Rotary Year. Those nominees are:
President Elect Nominee for Rotary Year 2027-28
Michael Marsh
Board Directors elected to a 3-year term beginning 2026-27
Greg Lui-Kwan
Ian Wetherell
Hai Cha Lambert
I am pleased to endorse all of these choices and express my gratitude for all who step up to positions of leadership in our Club.
Please register NOW to attend Dec. 16th (Lee needs to give an accurate count for seating and food) or be on Zoom for official voting.
If anyone has questions or concerns, please let me or Lee know before December 16.
Mahalo nui loa
Brian Dunkel
President
The Rotary Club of Honolulu
FREE CONCERT
Christmas Across the Continents
Two of our members are part of this choral organization: President Brian Dunkel and Ann Miller!
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Where: Kailua United Methodist Church, 1110 Kailua Rd. Kailua, HI
This concert is free (donations appreciated)
PROSPECTIVE MEMBER NOTICE
The Board of Directors has approved the following individual for membership in the Rotary Club of Honolulu.
Name: Maria Song
Company: Retired from JPMorgan Chase
Classification: Retired - Finance
Sponsor: Leslie Allen
Please contact Lee with any objections by Friday, December 19, 2025, at 3:00 pm.
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, so please read the Project Flyer information ASAP!
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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