I've just returned from a two-week trip to Korea and Japan, and while there were many wonderful experiences, one stands above all the others: my visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
I've been involved in Rotary's peace initiatives for years. I've helped install and dedicate Peace Poles throughout Hawaiʻi, participated in peace activities, and spoken many times about Rotary's commitment to promoting peace around the world. I thought I understood that commitment. But nothing prepared me for Hiroshima.
For nearly two hours, I walked through exhibits documenting the unimaginable suffering caused by the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945. Photographs of ordinary people. Families. Children. People whose lives ended in an instant, and others who suffered terribly in the hours and days that followed. One exhibit will remain with me forever. It told the story of a three-year-old boy and his tricycle. Looking at that child's photograph and the damaged tricycle, I found myself thinking about how innocent he was. He wasn't responsible for the war. He wasn't involved in the political decisions that led to it.
He was simply a little boy who wanted to ride his tricycle. And his life was taken.
Standing there, I finally understood, in a way I never had before, why so many people devote their lives to building peace. It's one thing to have your picture taken beside a Peace Pole. It's quite another to see what happens when humanity fails to protect peace.
November is designated as Rotary Foundation Month in the Rotary calendar. It is a time for Rotarians to celebrate the achievements of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), learn more about its programs, and promote contributions that fund global and local service initiatives. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Rotary District 5000 was recognized as the Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth Organization by the Hawaii Children & Youth Day Committee for our focus on youth service. DG Benson Medina accepted the award on behalf of D5000. Thank you RC of Honolulu Sunrise for organizing the group, including the Rotary Clubs of Honolulu Pau Hana, West Honolulu, Metro and Honolulu. Roosevelt Interactors worked the game for keikis.
The YMCA of Honolulu is proud to celebrate, Don Anderson, who has the remarkable honor of being selected into the National YMCA Hall of Fame. Being one of the highest recognitions in the YMCA movement, let's honor a lifetime of service, leadership, and lasting impact from Don. Mahalo for your leadership as it continues to shape the work we do today! Don is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu.
The Filipino Business Women's Association recognized Tes Banagan as the Filipino Professional Software Engineer of the Year. Tes is a Lead Principal Software Engineer at Oracle America, where she has spent 25 remarkable years building a legacy of technical excellence, resilience and quiet leadership. Tes is a trailblazer who exemplifies extraordinary professional achievement. Tes is a member of the Rotary Club of Ewa Beach.
Dr. James Ham, is Division Chief of Emergency, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Straub Benioff Medical Center, was named one of the 2026 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes. The nominator said it was by the grace of God that Dr. Ham was on duty to revive her brother. She described him as in incredible human and was struck by James’ humility. The nominator added that Dr. Ham was a hero outside of the ER as well as a Rotarian, traveling to foreign countries, such as Papua New Guinea, to bring medical supplies and clean water. James Ham is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset.
Dr. Daniel Murariu, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS, is a Double Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with Hawaii Aesthetics & Robotic Plastic Surgery. Dan was named one of the 2026 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes. The nominator said Dr. Murariu gave her hope, something she desperately needed. She adds that what he accomplished felt like a miracle and her gratitude for him ran deeper than words could express. Dan was also recognized by the IMSA community for the 2026 Board of Trustees Alumni Awards Assembly to celebrate our alumni's accomplishments over IMSA's 40 years. Dan is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset.
Helene "Sam" Shenkus received the 2026 Chairperson's Award from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. She is a VP & Director of Marketing at the Royal Hawaiian Center. This Hoʻokela Award is a special recognition for distinguished service and leadership in the retail sector, which celebrated Sam’s contributions to Hawaii’s retail landscape and also highlighted her decades of dedication to marketing excellence, community engagement, and the growth of Hawaii’s retail industry. Sam is a member of the Rotary Club of Ala Moana.
The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise was received the 2026 “Purple Ribbon Award” from the Family Violence Interagency Committee for efforts toward ending Domestic Violence within our West Hawai’i Community. The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise is lead by Nancy Lowrey, President
David Livingston received the Dick Matti Award, a prestigious honor given by the Rotary Club of Waikiki to recognize outstanding service and leadership. The award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Rotary service, community impact, and leadership within the club and beyond. It is named after Dick Matti, a long-time Rotary member and community leader. Dave is a member of the Rotary Club of Waikiki and an Assistant Governor.
Upcoming Events/Projects
Maui, Nov 4, 5-7pm at Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate in Lahaina. Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset and the Maui County Office of Economic Development are sponsoring the event. Lahaina business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals are invited to a free community networking event, Lahaina Means Business Click here to register.
Kauai. Now to Nov 20. RC of Hanalei Bay is supporting Hurricane Lowell recovery.Make a tax-deductible donation to our Hurricane Lowell Relief Fund, held through the Rotary District 5000 Foundation. Every dollar goes to our club's recovery work in the community. Or purchase an opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid week on Kauaʻi's North Shore, including airfare from the West Coast, on-island transportation, and gift certificates for dining and activities. CLICK HERE to purchase an opportunity
Hawaii East, Nov 7, 9:30am -Noon. Anyone who wants to march in the Veteran's Day Parade Rotary D5000 unit, meet by the King Kamehameha statue at 9am.
Oahu, Nov 8, 11am-1pm at Rotary Centennial Park, 435 Royal Hawaiian Ave. Volunteers needed for this Work Day. Park update, weeding and light clean up. Sign up at honolulurotary.com or call 808 457-6356
Oahu, Nov 9, 5:15pm TRF Dinner with RI President Elect Larry Lunsford at Hale Koa Hotel. CLICK HERE to register
Oahu. Nov 11, 10am.ROTARY CLUBS JOINT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT. Veterans Day program and luncheon for US VETS Hawaii Barbers Point. Luncheon and projects. Glen Bailey D-5000 Community Service Chair 2026/2027. Email: baileyg001@hawaii.rr.com Phone 808 392 7170
Oahu. Dec 5, 9am. RC of East Honolulu. The Shangri-La Tour We meet at Bishop Museum and travel together to Shangri-La. Make reservations with Lillian Shaw or Mae Mendelson. Cost is $50 - $25 of that is a tax deductible donation to The Rotary Foundation Polio Plus program. Contact Mae at maeonas@yahoo.com
Monthly Zoom meetings: (Check the District calendar for Zoom links):
Hilo Rotary Club volunteered with Assistance League Hawaii members who provide our keiki with $75 gift cards they could use to buy their school clothes. Our Rotarians were at the Hilo Walmart this past Saturday, Oct 17th helping each family to buy clothes for school. It was a rewarding experience, and we enjoyed supporting our local youth. So much fun and rewarding for all!
On September 11, 2026, the Rotary Club of Ala Moana launched its inaugural Happy Feet Service Project, providing 40 first-graders at King William C. Lunalilo Elementary School with brand-new Skechers shoes, socks, and drawstring backpacks. Made possible through club donations and Rotary District 5000 Foundation funding, the project brought together Rotarians and Skechers representatives from Hawaiʻi and Las Vegas to help keiki find their perfect fit. The smiles were priceless, and the impact extended beyond the classroom!
Thank you Rotary Clubs of East Hawaii and UH-Hilo students: more than 70 people removed 905 gallons of invasive seaweed and muck from Waihonu AND recovered 7.5 tons of loose stones.
The Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise collected school supplies for local students at Walmart Ke‘eaumoku and donate school supplies to help support local keiki as they head back to school. Every backpack, notebook, pencil, and contribution makes a difference! 💙 They collected seven carloads of school supplies and raising more than $3,000 to support Pālolo Elementary School and William P. Jarrett Middle School. Of the funds raised, $1,600 will be donated to the third-grade class at Pālolo Elementary School at the donor’s request.
Rotary Club of Pearlridge presentrf third graders and their teachers at Manana Elementary School in Pearl City with brand new dictionaries as a part of Rotary International’s Dictionary 5000 project. The club also visited Pearl City Highlands Elementary School and Kanoelani Elementary School to deliver dictionaries. We all had a great time looking up words and their definitions, as well as fun and interactive content contained in their dictionaries.
Pearl City High School Interact Club partners with Rotary Club of Pearlridge at annual Honolulu City & County Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup as they once again coming together to partner in the community to volunteer at the annual Honolulu City & County Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup. PCHS Interact Club and RCOP volunteers worked in teams to pick up rubbish on the Pearl Harbor Bike Path and Pearl Harbor shoreline from the HECO Waiau Power Plant in Pearl City to the bridge near Cutter Ford in Aiea
Rotary Club of Hilo — the second oldest Rotary Club in Hawaii, chartered in 1920. The program brings together Rotarians and occasional guests to cook fresh, home‑style lunches for residents of the Hawaiʻi Island Home for Recovery (HIHR), a nonprofit that helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives through housing assistance, individualized support, and pathways to stability.
On behalf of the Youth Professional Exchange Team from Thailand, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us by the Rotary members of District 5000 during our stay in Hawaii. Your kindness made our participation in the Young Professionals Exchange (YPE) Program a truly memorable experience. We are deeply grateful and honored by the friendship, support, and collaboration that contributed to the success of this exchange. From the very first day to the conclusion of our program, all the Rotarians in District 5000 welcomed us with open arms, cared for us, and treated us with exceptional kindness and generosity. We were deeply touched by the time we spent together and will cherish the wonderful friendships we have formed for years to come. Our trip to Hawaii was an invaluable opportunity to experience the local culture, learn new things, and broaden our perspectives. The experience has left a lasting impression on all of us.
Warm regards, Montana Kangkan, Team Leader, Thai YPE Team
Waianae US Vets project with JABSOM HOME Project, US Vets, and Dept of Health. Rotary Clubs of Ewa Beach, Kapolei, West Pearl Harbor, Waianae, West Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Sunset, Wahiawa-Waialua and Kaneohe participated in serving pizza, distributing hygiene kits, school supplies and talking about Rotary at the US Vets Waianae facility and also at Maile Point Beach Park.
Mahalo for your leadership as it continues to shape the work we do today! Don is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu. 
