This week began with some very unsettled weather, disrupting our plans to remove invasive plants at Hamakua Marsh in Kailua. Out of an abundance of caution, our project leader Nancy Youngren notified everyone who had registered in advance that the workday was canceled. However, several of us who had not told Nancy we would be participating did not get the message and arrived at the marsh as planned. Our hosts did have an alternative project for us, and once the weather cleared, we were able to make some progress pulling out invasive vines, and we will all try again in April, so look for that announcement.
We also had around 35 members and guests gather on Thursday for a very successful Pau Hana event at J. Dolan’s in Kahala. I don’t have room here to name everyone who joined us, but I was glad to see everyone who did, including Carolann Biederman, Mitch D'Olier, Rob Hale, Reese Liggett, Paul Saito, Bob Sumpf, Wesley Yamamoto, Ian Wetherell, Bridget Townsend, Sam Haas, Carol Sakata, Lucci Pinoliad, Greg Lui-Kwan, Nancy Lui-Kwan, Hai Cha Lambert, Nancy Grekin, Linda Coble, Don Anderson and our soon-to-be newest member Troy Person.
As noted last week, some of our meetings have stretched the capacity of The Pacific Club, particularly with respect to parking and kitchen preparation. To ensure we can continue meeting at our new home while preserving the energy and quality of our programs, the Executive Committee met this week to consider possible solutions. As soon as we can work out the logistics, we will be imposing an upper limit on attendance for each meeting, to be determined the Friday before the event. For our more popular speakers, this may mean that late registrations and walk-ins will only be accommodated on a space-available basis. In addition, we will implement a pre-registration process designed to help manage parking demand at the venue. We will share additional details as plans are finalized. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we take these steps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
For our next regular meeting (Tuesday, February 17), we will once again be back at The Pacific Club, and we will be hearing from Katelyn Taua'a & Brian Kirsch of Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs. They (together with a couple of their “friends”) will share with us the amazing work that their organization does to build independence and quality of life for children and adults with mobility disabilities in Hawaii by providing them with quality trained assistance dogs and by sharing awareness of service dogs among our community. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
We are inducting Kerri Van Duyne and Troy Person! Kerri is returning to RCOH and Troy will be a new member!
Register ASAP to join us in welcoming both!
2026 Service Above Self Campaign
International Service Projects
Club members’ donations to the Maile Hale Endowment Fund have enabled our Foundation to fund international service projects in the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bali, and Vietnam. Since 2003, a total of 662 project participants has worked to improve lives in these countries.
Rotarian Don Anderson has contributed to, planned, and participated in these service projects.
Be like Don!
The Foundation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu asks for your financial support just once a year.
Fill backpacks with school supplies, Part 1! Our club will once again fill backpacks with school supplies to distribute to the vulnerable and disadvantaged children who are clients of the 6 non-profit agencies at the Kukui Center. We will have the first opportunity to fill packs on Wednesday, February 25, at 1:00 at the Kukui Center. There will be one or two more opportunities this spring.
If you plan to participate on February 25, please contact Nancy Youngren so we have a count of people to give to the Center.
PROSPECTIVE MEMBER NOTICE
The Board of Directors has approved the following individual for membership in the Rotary Club of Honolulu.
Name: David "Dave" Brittin
Company: Case Lombardi
Classification: Attorney - Real Estate Transaction & Litigation
Sponsor: Rich Proctor
Please contact Lee with any objections by Friday, February 20, 2026, at 3:00 pm.
As many of our international sister club members will be visiting Taiwan for the Rotary
International Convention 2026, the Rotary Club of Taipei is in the early stages of planning a
Welcome Dinner to celebrate our long-standing friendship and fellowship. We are also
planning to invite all the Rotary International dignitaries, including all the PRIPs, to this event,
so this gathering will also represent a rare opportunity to meet and interact with the Rotary
International VIPs.
The dinner is planned for: Friday, June 12, 2026 (evening) Location: Sheraton Hotel Taipei Grand Ball Room
At this preliminary stage, we would be most grateful if you could kindly let us know whether
your club may be interested in attending, and, if possible, provide a rough estimate of the
number of members who might participate.
This information will greatly assist us in our initial planning and venue arrangements.
Please note that this is only a preliminary inquiry, and a formal invitation with full details will
follow at a later date.
We truly hope to have the opportunity to spend a meaningful evening together in fellowship
during this special Rotary occasion, and we very much look forward to welcoming our sister
clubs to Taipei.
With warm Rotary friendship,
Andrew Wong
President, Rotary Club of Taipei
2025–2026
HAMAKUA MARSH PROJECT
IN REVIEW
7 FEBRUARY 2026
Rained out, but some of us didn't get the message and showed up anyway. Volunteers learned about plants and birds; crafted from plant material, and when the weather allowed, we pulled some vines and saw birds.
Saw "Big Foot" prints and found a "Monster"... fun was had along with quick work!
Rotary turns 121 years old on February 23rd, a day that has been declared World Peace & Understanding Day! Our Hawaii District started with the formation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu in 1915 and turns 111 years old this year.
Weekly Volunteers Needed! Contact Admin Lee to find out what is needed and sign up!
MAHALO TO OUR WEEKLY VOLUNTEERS!
You are appreciated!
If you would like to help, watch for the signup sheet or contact your Administrator!
VOLUNTEERS
Feb. 17, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen &
Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Nancy Grekin & Bub Wo
Pledge:
Michelle Dolan
Music:
Linda Coble
Inspiration:
Rob Hale
Meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
VOLUNTEERS
Feb. 24, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen &
Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Ian Wetherell & Michael Marsh
Pledge:
Mitch Weld
Music:
Al Linton
Inspiration:
Reese Liggett
Meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
Join us for Service and Adventures in Siquijor!
16-20 March 2026
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.
To sign up for this amazing International Service Project, click this link. Reserve your spot by 15 January 2026!
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.
Subscribe to the RCOH Tradewind Newsletter & Event Bulletin
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