A MESSAGE FROM

PRESIDENT CAROLANN BIEDERMAN

Aloha mai kākou,

This week, we joyfully welcomed Mark Rodden as our newest Club member. Mahalo to his sponsor Jim Harrow, who cited Mark’s hands-on participation in past and current Rotary community service projects. Guests included visiting Rotarians Todatoshi Fujinaga from Tokyo Shimbashi, one of our Sister Clubs, Kiyoharu Ogawa, VP of the Omuta Rotary Club in Fukuoka, Japan, prospective members Kahi Ching, Meaghan Cox, and McKinley Walter from Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response. 

Guest speaker Jon Gelman shared the unique services that Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response experts and community volunteers provide to Hawai‘i’s precious, iconic, and vulnerable marine animals – monk seals, seabirds and honu. Jon’s dynamic video clips highlighted actual rescues, emergency interventions and successful releases on land and sea. He concluded his talk with Chief Seattle’s wisdom, reminding us about the interconnectedness of all things.

Sad news that former Club member Jeffrey Nash, longtime executive director of Habilitat who dedicated nearly 40 years to helping people overcome addiction, passed away on Tuesday at age 59 from cancer. Jeff made many friends at Rotary and everywhere he served. He leaves a legacy of meaningful community impact that will carry on. Rest in peace, Jeff.  

¡Hola! Early bird registration just opened for the 2027 Rotary International Convention, June 26-30 in Barcelona, Spain. If you’ve never attended, I encourage you to go, learn, and experience the global impact of Rotary firsthand, make new friends with some of the thousands of Rotarians from 175+ countries, and enjoy the magical city of Barcelona. The deep promotional discount is only available from September 17– 21. Register at https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/registration.

The International Day of Peace is Monday, September 21 with this year’s theme “Invest in Peace - For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” Rotary members do invest in peace every day. It’s one of our areas of focus and an invitation to pause, connect, and remember that peace begins with each of us and ripples out through our actions, relationships and communities. The Peace Poles that our club dedicated at Palama Settlement, Camp Erdman and at other sites keep the message of peace alive. Click for more information.

Palama Settlement is also the beneficiary of our next community service project on Saturday, September 26. Don Anderson Youth Leadership Fellows and scholarship students will lead the painting team to beautify the historic Rath Building. All members are welcome to join in. Sign up here.

Our next lunch meeting is at The Pacific Club on Tuesday, September 22. Guest speaker Colin Yost, Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commissioner, will discuss how the PUC regulates public service companies across the state to ensure that we, the consumers, have access to safe, reliable, and affordable essential services.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend and see you on Tuesday! 

Mahalo nui loa, 

Carolann Biederman

President

The Rotary Club of Honolulu

UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKER

Public Utilities Commission: Regulation, Priorities, & Public Participation

IN LOVING MEMORY OF PAST ROTARIAN

JEFF NASH

Our sincerest condolences to Jeff's family and loved ones.  He was a one-of-a-kind human who lived his life helping others overcome addiction.

Read about Jeff by clicking the links below:

Habilitat executive director Jeffrey Nash dies at 59 after battle with cancer | Hawaii News Now

(16) Hawaii News Now - Jeffrey Nash, the executive director of the... | Facebook

International Day of Peace - Sept. 21

Palama Settlement and our Rotary Club’s contribution will be featured in a short segment (approximately 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.) as part of a global Peace Pole Ceremony livestream on September 21. Register for the livestream at https://teranjy.org/

Ala Moana Rotary Club - October 30

Join the Rotary Club of Ala Moana for Rotaryreo, a one-of-a-kind gala fundraiser inspired by Hawai‘i’s paniolo (cowboy) heritage—where community, culture, and purpose come together. https://alamoanarotaryclub.com/events/rotary-club-of-ala-moana-rotareo-gala-fundrai/

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.

In October, four young professionals from Thailand will be visiting Hawai'i. 

We are looking for Rotarians who live in downtown Honolulu, Kaka'ako, or Hawai'i Kai who would be willing to open their homes and host one or more of these young professionals during their stay from October 11-17, 2026. 

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 or bhoban808@gmail.com. 

Learn more about the Rotary Young Professional Exchange: Young Professional Exchange | Hawai'i Rotary District 5000.