There are a lot of volunteer opportunities for you to get out and do good! April is Earth month and as we did in the past, we would like to honor our 7th Area of Focus, the Environment. Malama Mother Earth and participate in an impactful project by joining a project that your club is organizing or jump in on any of the larger projects already planned. We need more hands to make a greater impact and at the same time give you an opportunity to meet new Rotarians and have fun. Of course, bring friends and family to help! For more information, contact District Community Service Chair Nathan Graves at nathan.w.graves@outlook.com
Work days on April 11 with Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise (with Interactors) or April 25 with Rotary Club of Honolulu. Hamakua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, 268 Hamakua Dr, Kailua. During the event, we would restore our native forest on Pu'u o 'Ehu (the hillside above Hāmākua Marsh), enjoy bird watching by the wetland, and learn about the site history and how our work improves the environment. Our restoration usually involves invasive plant removal and we can also do a group tree planting. This nonprofit has restored about 6 acres of the dryland forest at Hāmākua. To sign up your club or yourself, call Anna Friedman at : (808) 699-7684 or email: anna@healthyclimatecommunities.org
If you would like them to speak to your club, here's their contact information: Healthy Climate Communities. Email: anna@healthyclimatecommunities.org, Phone: (808) 699-7684, Project title: Mālama Hāmākua
Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa Project. Saturday, April 25, 8:30am to noon. 62-394 Joseph Leong Hwy, Unit B, Haleiwa. To sign up, contact Tina Doty at chrstndt7@gmail.com
After a brief introduction and explanation on how to plant, one group may plant, fertilize, and water for an hour while another group may be weeding, clearing, and doing other labor. Another group might be repotting seedlings. They have some supplies like gloves, picks, shovels, etc. and will provide the native Hawaiian plants for planting. Haleiwa Legacy Forest, which was once royal crown lands owned by Princess Kamamalu. You can read more about the background at our website: https://legacyforest.org/haleiwa Haleiwa Legacy Forest was founded in 2022, and the initial project involves approximately 400 acres that we intend to reforest with native and endemic Hawaiian trees and plants.
On April 25 Maui Rotarians will work with Malama Kula, an Upcountry non-profit, to help remove invasive species and plant native plants in the burn zone Upcountry. We will gather at 9 AM Upcountry, work through till about 1 PM and then have lunch. Our Maui Fires Fund has supported Malama Kula in their work to clear burn zones, remove invasive species and replant for homeowners who lost their plants in the Maui Fires. Sign up with your nearest Maui Club President or contact Al Weiland at aw3200@gmail.com
On Saturday, April 11, one of Hilo’s most celebrated community events takes place. This is a wonderful opportunity for Rotary members across the district to come together, celebrate the spirit and culture of our island, and showcase Rotary’s commitment to service. Members are invited to walk in the parade carrying their club banners or ride on a decorated flatbed truck generously provided by Past President Jeremiah Leonard. Participants will gather at 8:30 a.m. to decorate the truck with foliage, and the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. With thousands of residents and visitors lining the streets, the parade offers a fantastic opportunity to increase Rotary’s visibility, connect with the community, and demonstrate that we are truly People of Action. It is also a time for fellowship, community pride, and celebrating together.
Members are encouraged to wear their club or district shirts and join fellow Rotarians in representing Rotary with pride.
For more information or to participate, contact Beverly Heikes. Let’s come together and show our community the spirit of Rotary in action.
May 1-3, 2026 Work Days at Camp Erdman to pain Rotary Hall, cabins, etc and carpentry projects, laying a stone pathway and removal of encroaching brush. No special skills required. Feel free to invite anyone. You can choose just Saturday, just Sunday or both and spend the night in a camp cabin. If interested in joining, email Don Anderson at vmcadon@mac.com
Register your club and post your April events today at KanuHawaii.org. Let’s show Hawaii what happens when Rotarians take action.
If you have questions or need support, please contact Keone Kealoha, executive director of Kanu Hawaii, at volunteer@kanuhawaii.org or (808) 634-8174 for support.
With Volunteer Month (April) just around the corner, it’s time to shine a bright spotlight on the incredible "Service Above Self" happening across our islands. To amplify our impact, we’re encouraging every club to post their event on the Rotary District 500 website, as well as register and post their service projects on the Kanu Hawaii website. Registering your projects is a win-win for your club and our community. Here is why your participation is vital:
