I hope that everyone enjoyed the extended time for fellowship and socializing at our regular meeting at the Pacific Club this week and the presentation by Dr. Sandra P. Chang about the history and importance of vaccines, especially in our current political environment. Thanks, in particular to one of our newest members, Grace Sheckler, for volunteering to be a greeter, reminding everyone to gather in the courtyard with other members of the Club. For those who were not able to join us, Judy Lind announced our upcoming Pau Hana at La Mariana on Thursday, August 14th, and Nancy Youngren told us about the next “Hammer and Nails” / RAT Pack project planned at the Susannah Wesley Community Center in late August. Finally, Paul Saito and Jim Harrow have organized a July 30th potluck celebration for the students supported by our various college scholarship programs. I encourage everyone to check your calendars now and add the Pau Hana and potluck celebration to your plans for the next few weeks. I expect to be there for both events, and I would like to see many of you there as well.
At our first Board of Directors meeting, also held Tuesday, we discussed both the Operational and Service budgets for the upcoming Rotary year and appointed Greg Lui-Kwan to complete the third year of director Sam Haas’ term. The new board decided that our Club dues need to rise slightly for the coming year to $800 to meet increased expenses, but that the cost of lunch at the Pacific Club will remain the same ($50) for those who wish to commit to our full schedule of three lunch meetings each month paid in advance for the full year, semi-annually or quarterly. For those who want to keep paying for individual lunches, the cost of each meal will rise to $55, in addition to any applicable transaction fees charged by our payment processor. We decided to accept the higher cost, rather than reduce the scope or quality of the wonderful food that we have come to expect from the Pacific Club. Notifications of dues and options for pre-paying lunches will be sent in the next few days, including a credit for payments already made this year.
Next week, the speaker for our regular lunch meeting at the Pacific Club will be retired Admiral Alma Grocki, who will be discussing the 80th Anniversary of WWII. As we did this week, everyone is once again encouraged to arrive by 11:30am for fellowship and socializing in the courtyard area, although we will attempt to get everyone into the Card Room a bit earlier to start the meeting promptly at noon. Unfortunately, I will be off-island for that meeting, but I am leaving you all in the capable hands of immediate Past President Tom Coyne. Thanks to the dedication and talent of Cherokee Rice, one of our newest members and a Don Anderson Youth Leadership Fellow, I do plan to join the meeting remotely via Zoom. In the meantime, I wish everyone a great week of service and fellowship in the community.
The Susannah Wesley Community Center (SWCC), a non-profit agency in Kalihi-Palama, has served the community for over 125 years, empowering youth, adults, and families—many of whom are newcomers to Hawai‘i—facing significant social and economic challenges. With a mission to help individuals survive, thrive, and contribute to society, even amidst language barriers and cultural differences, SWCC offers high-quality social services and programs rooted in aloha and respect. Through its comprehensive support, SWCC provides a sense of belonging and hope to those who are lost, hungry, or struggling, fostering self-sufficiency and independence in the heart of the Kalihi-Palama community.
WHEN: Saturdays Aug 16 and 23, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Where: Susannah Wesley Community Center
1117 Kaili Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96819
Who: Every Rotarian, family member and friend of Rotary.
This lovely handmade painted Mahalo from the Hawaii Literacy says it all - Our participation is appreciated and impactful! Way to go RCOH - and Mahalo to Hawaii Literacy for partnering with us!
Aloha Hawaiian Rotarians,
The registration is now open for the convention in Taipei on June 13th through 17th 2026. with the special rate of $395 until June 25th. So sign up now! Here is the new link where you can register and pay. The previous link was dedicated to Calgary.
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 Form and send it to RCOH Administrator, Lee HERE. She will submit all forms to the Speaker Committee.
.jpg)
