Peace is the cornerstone of the humanitarian work that we do and it was spot on for our clubs to get 10 peace poles dedicated around the International Day of Peace a few weeks ago. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Hilo for planting their 100th anniversary GRANITE Peace Pole. That’s Past President Nancy Cabral in this picture, as her vision to do this finally happened after 2 years of planning.
As we enter the Autumn season and the weather is getting a bit cooler, we are thankful that we live in Hawaii. Disasters around the world are alarming and Rotary is there to help. Just recently, District Foundation Vice Chair Mark Harbison was instrumental in getting a $25,000 Rotary Disaster Grant for our District to participate in a $175,000 project to provide an ambulance and equipment in Ukraine. The RC of Downtown Honolulu raised funds to send help to Sri Lanka, which was experiencing an acute shortage of food, medicine and fuel that is endangering a generation of children.
On October 24th, Rotary sets this date as World Polio Day to highlight global efforts towards a polio-free world. The re-emergence of polio underscores the need for eradication. RI President Jennifer Jones just announced that an additional $150 million pledge to the program. No child on earth is safe until the virus is eradicated completely and this is why it is so important to join the PolioPlus Society members in making a pledge and continue to support the program in any amount. Please support the club efforts and join the District’s WPD Zoom on the 24th at 5:00pm, as well as Rotary’s Facebook page to watch global health experts and partners share our progress.
Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty. Our members and our foundation work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities. We provide training and access to well-paying jobs and financial management institutions. Rotary is helping build economic and community development around the world, but especially in Africa where Rotary clubs close economic disparities and social incoherence caused by unequal distribution and lack of accessibility to resources. The Rotary Foundation spent $9.2 million in grants to grow local economies and reduce poverty last year, including microloans and agricultural opportunities.
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved. Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.
On September 21, the International Day of Peace, Peace Poles were planted in District 5000. Enjoy this message from Hawaii County
The Hawaii Island clubs had a full week of events: September 18th-Peace Walk with the Mayor and Traveling Peace Pole Dedication. On the 19th-Peace Pole dedication at the County Building. On the 20th-Peace Pole dedication at the Hilo International Airport in partnership with Peace Corp. On the 21st-Bell ringing at 9am on Zoom. Peace Pole dedication at Kua O Ka La School, Waimea Preservation Association in Waimea and Heavenly Hawaiian Farms in Holualoa. On the 22nd-Peace Pole dedication at Ka'u Hospital and Gil Kahele County Park. On the 23rd, Granite Peace Pole dedication at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bandstand in recognition of the Rotary Club of Hilo's 100th Anniversary. On the 24th- Peace Out Peace Day festivity in Honoka'a Town. On the 25th-Peace Pole dedication at Puna Hongwanji in Kea'au.
On Oahu, the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset had a great Peace Pole dedication ceremony at the Ala Wai Elementary School on the world Peace Day. Award winning teacher Lori Kwee led the event. Principal Michelle Debuska welcomed all the guests and the program was run by 3 student emcees. PDG Laura Steelquist and State Senator Sharon Moriwaki jointly unveiled the peace pole. PDG Win presented a peace pole dedication certificate to the School. All the third grade students displayed posters that represent their culture. We had Peace meditation led by teacher Lori Kwee and sang Hawaii Aloha Song led by President Lyla Berg. Students from other classes visited the peace pole site after the event and did peace meditation.
Ala Wai School Hilo Airport Puna Hongwanji
Kau Hospital Portable Peace Pole Kona Heavenly Farm
Heads up: The 2022 Rotary All-Member Survey is your chance to tell us about your experience as a member — what you like, what you don't, and how we can make your membership experience even better. The survey is being sent to all Rotary and Rotaract members for whom we have a current email address. To ensure that you receive it, sign in to My Rotary and update your email address by 1 October. Then, look for the Rotary All-Member Survey in your inbox in early October.
Oahu, Oct 1, 8:30-11:30am Rotaract eclub Ohana. We'll be working outdoors with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to help remove invasive plants along the trail of Ka'ena Point State Park - Mokule'ia section (Northshore). Don't forget to bring extra water, hats, sunglasses & sunscreen!
Kauai, 10/8/22, 6pm. RC of Poipu Beach is hosting a Harvest Moon BBQ at CJM Stables in Poipu. Contact Cyrus Tumbaga.
Maui, Oct 12, 5:30-7:30pm. Rotary Means Business Fellowship. Networking event at Hale Aloha, 636 Luakini St, Lahaina. Make new connections, build relationships, learn about resources in the community. Complimentary pupus and beverages. Space is limited, RSVP by Oct 10 to Leah-Whalers@KW.com
Oahu, Oct 22. RC of East Honolulu PolioPlus Fundraiser (sold out). A Private Tour of Shangri La, Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and Design. Lunch to follow at HOMA.
Oahu, Oct 23, 11am - 2pm. Family Fun at the Purple Pinky Picnic Sunday, Kewalo Channel Park on Kelikoi Street (Diagonally across the Hawaii Discovery Children's Center). Bring your own lunch or purchase a bento. Picnic games and Rootbeer floats. All in the fun! Visit the Children's Discovery Center for $8 pp. CLICK HERE to register.
Maui, Nov 6, Noon. RC of Maui seeking seeking volunteers to help plant trees at the Kwock Hing Building, 178 Middle Rd, Kula. Please email heathermaymueller@yahoo.com or call 808-446- 3545 to sign up
Oahu, 10/1/22, 6-10pm Waikiki Rotary Extravaganza at the beautiful Oahu Country Club. Buffet dinner, silent auction, entertainment by Bobby Moderow. Proceeds for community service projects. $125. For tickets https://waikikirotary.org/. See flyer
Oahu, 10/9/22. 5:30-8:30pm RC of Kahala Sunrise Murder Mystery Dinner. Participate in a live murder mystery play and help solve a crime! Come party and DRESS like a Rockstar for our 2022 Theme: Murder at the Rock ʻN Roll Talent Show! Contact Ryan Kawamoto for info at rykfilm@gmail.com
Maui, Oct 10, 5:30-7pm, Seascape Restaurant, Maalaea. The nine Rotary Clubs of Maui will host an End Polio Now social, informational, and fundraising event. Keynote speakers: DG Randy Hart and PDG Roz Cooper. Fundraising event and social for End Polio Now. Purchase $5 ticket and participate in the Live Auction. All proceeds to to End Polio Now! Please RSVP to Maui Rotary Resource Chair Joanne Laird via email at mamalrd01@gmail.com
Oahu, 10/22/22, 10:00AM-2:00PM, RC of Kapolei Sunset "Cupcakes For A Cause" fundraiser and awareness event to help END POLIO NOW! Follow our Eventbrite link to purchase delicious 4-packs of cupcakes or to donate! Super fun sign waving event with Interact members on the 22nd during the drive-thru pick-up in Kapolei! Join us! Wear your "End Polio Now" shirts or vests! Lani Bergstrom, Bergstroms@aol.com, 808-780-8624
Oahu. By Oct 27. Please help support both our club, Rotaract E-Club 'Ohana (RECO), and The Institute for Human Services Hawai'i (IHS). For each fundraiser, our club votes on a specific organization or cause to donate our proceeds to. For this fundraiser, our members voted for IHS Hawai'i. IHS is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide homeless people services that give them "greater self direction and responsibility." They provide meals, housing, outreach, health, employment and case management services for homeless people in Hawai'i. RECO supports this cause because homelessness is currently a major issue in Hawai'i and we want to do our part in addressing this issue. Preorder one or more of the merchandise on the flyer by emailing RECO or texting Nicole with the proper format (see green box on the flyer), then making a payment accordingly (see brown box below) by October 27th. Note that this is for Oahu Residents ONLY. For anyone who would like to make an order shipped somewhere else, a link will be sent out at the end of October. Make a donation directly to the club
Maui, 11/6/22, Noon. RC of Maui. Your $50 donation will ensure the planting of (1) Sandalwood tree in Upcountry Maui, Hawaii on November 6th, 2022. Mail donations using the flyer
Please get your favorite pau hana beverage and join us on Zoom for a "Pau Hana" talk story get together on Tuesday, October 4th at 5:30pm. Here's the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84367512812
Meeting ID: 843 6751 2812. Dial by your location : +1 669 900 6833
Please join us for an in-person get togethers too:
Oahu: Nov 16, 5:30pm at Aloha Beer, Queen St across from Lex Brodie Tire.
Maui: Nov 14, 5:30pm at Seascape. RSVP by Nov 10 to Joanne Laird: mamalrd01@gmail.com
Kauai and Big Island - TBD
District Alumni Chair Steve Dyer. stephen.dyer@hawadvocate.com
‘Out of The Darkness’ a World Day of Hope and Awareness’
by Rick Tabor, MS, LMHC | RC of Honolulu | Rotary Cares Walk, Team Captain
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed every year on September 10th, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.
Hawai’i’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk, raised $65,252.75. AFSP Co-Chair & Rotarian, Kathleen Rhoads Merriam says, walk organizer’s goal was $50,000. 200 walkers were expected and over 600 walkers participated in the event. Hawai’i truly cares about suicide prevention. After a two year pandemic break, the in-person enthusiasim was incredible. As team captain for our Rotary Cares Walk Team and helping set up the Rotary Refreshment tent, I felt the love all morning. As we moved past the stigma and listened to listen, in hopes of a world that cares for those who want to be heard. Saturday’s event was incredible! Thank you Kathleen, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Out of Darkness Walk volunteers and participants!
From Barry Villamil: The RC of Pearlridge Foundation annually sponsors free dictionaries to over 650 third grade students and their teachers representing 12 Aiea and Pearl City elementary schools.
Their Foundation also financially supports two students from each school with Good Citizen Awards that consists of a Good Citizen Award certificate and a $50.00 check. The students are selected by their teachers at the end of the school year for best exemplifying the Principles of Rotary International’s Four Way Test.
Neil Blomberg, Principal, Kanoelani Elementary School said, “It’s always nice when a group like the Rotary Club of Pearlridge comes and supports the local schools and seeing the kids and their excitement looking at the dictionaries and using them. It’s a great tool for them for the rest of the year, so we’re really grateful for the help and partnership with the Rotary Club of Pearlridge. The students are always motivated to do well, but I think the Good Citizen Award might take them to the next level. That’s an exciting opportunity for them as well. Thank you!
Need another way to increase your Rotary I.Q? Our Club and District Support Officer has the perfect way to fill in that gap with podcasts! Each episode, host Nick Taylor brings together voices from around the Rotary world to find a new approach to All Things Rotary. https://allthingsrotary.buzzsprout.com/
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