The Service Above Self Award was presented to Arjun Aryal of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset on March 12, 2026. The Service Above Self Award is considered the highest honor that Rotary International (RI) can bestow on a member. It recognizes up to 150 outstanding Rotarians and Rotaractors each year whose service makes an impact on humanity. Nominators Dan Murariu and Beth Hoban wrote that Arjun’s legacy is not just in the projects completed, but in the increased spirit of engagement and action he fosters in every Rotarian he encounters. He is an outstanding example of how to translate the Rotary motto into daily, measurable humanitarian service.
Arjun embodies Service Above Self through a combination of hands-on local and global humanitarian action, sustained leadership, and a proven ability to mobilize others. He is a transformative leader who invests his time and expertise to ensure meaningful, lasting impact, not merely an organizer or donor.
Unparalleled Global Impact - The nominee demonstrates extraordinary breadth, leading eight Global Grant projects across five Areas of Focus (Education, WASH, Disease Prevention, Environment, and Economic Development) in Malawi, the Philippines, and Nepal, and making significant contributions to the success of many other grants.
Arjun’s international service is defined by personal accountability: WASH and Vocational Training in Nepal: He volunteered on the ground, physically working on several WASH projects and using his expertise to train teachers in two vocational schools in Nepal, directly building sustainable local capacity.
Locally, some of the projects Arjun lead: Ala Wai School Projects: He led the construction of picnic tables, a mobile library, and planter boxes, actively beautifying the school. Kokua Closet Project: He initiated this project to build closets at Ala Wai Elementary School, which serves over 60% of economically disadvantaged families. He then successfully involved an Interact club and other non-profits in the community to lead clothing drives, collecting over 500 items of clothing. This action proves his ability to act as a force multiplier, mentoring youth while serving his community.
