A MESSAGE FROM

PRESIDENT CAROLANN BIEDERMAN

Aloha mai kākou,

Saturday, August 8 marked our Club’s return to Palama Settlement for a community service project that linked hands and hearts, along with a big splash of white paint. We were in good company with volunteers from Palama’s youth scholarship program, Sean Kettley from RC Metro and Alissa Pranica from RC East Honolulu. Mahalo to Tom Coyne and Jim Harrow for leading the project, and Nancy Grekin, Grace Sheckler, Rob Hale, Nancy Youngren and Leslie Allen for coming out to paint the lower story of the historic Rath building. It was a nice surprise to visit with former Club member, Brandon Morita, who brought the extra snacks and drinks.

Tonight we’ll gather at Kapono’s at The Lounge to enjoy socializing, live music and the Hawai‘i Kai sunset. Mahalo to Haumea Ho and Brian Dunkel for organizing the pau hana event, and to everyone who signed up and is bringing a potential member.

Tomorrow is the Celebration of Life for Jessica Lani Rich’s husband, Rick Texier at the Community Church of Honolulu, 2345 Nu‘uanu Avenue, visitation at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. Please wear blue in tribute to Rick. 

Member-focused communications kicked off this week with the first of several short surveys. Thank you to Clif Purkiser and Gigi Davidson for getting this Community Service survey ready. It’s short and easy to fill out. We are counting on your candid feedback, impressions and preferences to help the Club amplify our strengths, explore new ideas, and identify areas for improvement. If you prefer a hard copy, let Lee know and she’ll get it to you.

Our Speaker Committee has lined up another interesting presentation for August 18, featuring local shark expert Dr. Kim Holland. The meeting is also your chance to participate in the District 5000 Conference Community Service project supporting U.S. Vets with hygiene kits. Bring any of these items – body wash, deodorant, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and razors – to the Club meeting on Tuesday. We’ll bring them to the Conference and assemble the kits on Friday.

The months ahead promise many exciting opportunities to enhance impact, build lasting friendships, work for peace and sustainable change, and live the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Let’s work together to make this an exceptional year for our Club.

Mahalo nui loa,

Carolann Biederman

President

The Rotary Club of Honolulu

UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKER

DR. KIM HOLLAND

Research Professor, Shark and Pelagic Fisheries Research Group

Shark Research Lab at The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology

August 18, 2026

11:30 am Check-in & Fellowship

12:00 pm Meeting Begins

Meeting at the Pacific Club

SERVICE PROJECT AT PALAMA SETTLEMENT - MAHALO!

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, 19 volunteers attended to paint the exterior ground floor sections of the historic Rath building, which helped make a big difference in the overall painting project. 

Mahalo to all of the volunteers, which included eight Palama Settlement Scholarship youth and staff leaders Sam Aiona and Fili Falefa, for helping with set up, painting, and cleanup, and to Brandon Morita, who brought snacks and beverages.  

Mahalo to members of the Rotary Clubs of Metro, East Honolulu and Waikiki, as well as our own loyal Rotary crew. We appreciate your participation and our partnership with Palama Settlement! 

View Photos Here

MAHALO & NEWSLETTER

from the Kukui Center