Community Resilience Through Responsible Ecological Management
Harvy King
Of all the many ways to describe Hawaii as a beacon of reckoning across the pacific, Aloha stands the test of time. Highlighting Rotary International’s monthly theme for April, Maternal and Child Health, globally, April is Earth Month. Locally, there is lots happening around “Sustainability.” This month is all about taking care of Mother Earth. This article will explore two local projects that members of the Eco Rotary Club of Kaka’ako have been tracking as being independently operated, community driven initiatives that meet all six focus areas of the Rotarian Action Group on Environmental Sustainability.
• Promoting Peace • Fighting Disease
• Providing Clean Water and Sanitation • Saving Mothers and Children
• Supporting Education • Growing Local Economies
On October 20, 2019, Windward Sunrise Rotary Club gifted the Boy Scout Pack 311 #1,848 through subscriptions to our Flag Program in the Olomana Community. For the five flag days each year (Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day), flags will be placed in subscribers yards. This is a new fundraiser for the Boy Scouts and our Rotary club.
We are off to a great start and looking forward to having this grow!
The Windward Sunrise Rotary Club members and local community groups had an amazing and fulfilling day learning about the history, culture, planting, caring for, and harvesting of taro at Hoʻokuaʻāina, a beautiful traditional farm. It was truly a wonderful experience to work our āina together and learning hands-on about traditional Hawai'ian cultivation methods. Mahalo to all those who joined us!
A new member induction was held during a multi-club social mixer at D'Vine Kailua. Mahalo to all our awesome Rotarians, future Rotarians, friends, and family who came out to support and appreciate our inductees. Anna, Larry, Naty, Luke, and Lauren were excited to become Rotary International's newest members. A great time was had visiting with other club members, as well as supporting one of Kailua's newest businesses and sampling the unique food and wine varieties offered.
The very generous Windward community for donated 12 boxes full of school supplies for local area schools—and $640 in cash donations for items teachers need most. The Windward community's overwhelming care and interest in the local keikis’ education is what aloha is all about. Kudos to the eleven Windward Sunrise club members who donated their time on a Saturday!
Windward Sunrise Rotary Club held its amazing annual Kailua Independence Day Parade with Windward Sunrise member Joe Lichota providing live island-style guitar music for the crowd while other Rotarians passed out American flags and candy to parade attendees. Happy Birthday, America!
In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, a total of 26 volunteers, over three days, with a total of 155.5 man hours, made this amazing mental health clinic transformation happen for Windward neighbors in need.
The Windward Community Mental Health Clinic had been neglected since the 1970s and did not project the care the Windward Sunrise Rotary Club feels towards the local residents and families grappling with the effects of houselessness, mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues. Rotarians from the Windward Sunrise Rotary Club, the E-Club, Honolulu Metro Rotary, the Windward Rotary Club, as well as clinical mental health professionals, family members, and community donated their time to this project over three days.
A big shout out to Hawaii Hardware, whose generosity supplied nearly all the paint, nails, brushes, spackle, and wood beams. Habitat for Humanity Restore also contributed to the project with affordable decor and furniture.
On the first Friday of December for the last 20 plus years, the West Pearl Harbor club has treated residents of the Waipahu Elderly Hall to a “Holiday Bingo Dinner” complete with prizes, a sing-along, goodie bags for every attendee, and a delicious dinner prepared by the Rotary members themselves. This year’s party was attended by more than half of the senior facility’s 70 residents. The Waipahu High School Interact Club and the Phi Theta Kappa Society members held a food drive at their school to contribute to the goodie bags and bingo prizes and served dinner to the seniors. By the end of the evening, many senior residents thanked Rotary for what it does in its community and said “you make us feel so good…” Service Above Self…this is what makes us feel so good!
(Note: Prior approval has been given to post Waipahu High students photos on websites)
What a beautiful day it was to enjoy fellowship and make a difference at a Rotary multi- club community event at the John A Burns School of Medicine/ H.O.M.E. Van. On Thursday, August 1st, Presidents from the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset, Pau Hana, Waikiki, Hickam Pearl Harbor, and Ala Moana organized members to put hygiene kits for homeless clients who came to get free medical care at the HOME (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Van. After receiving medical care, the families were served pizza, donated by Boston Pizza and Jane Ferreira, a Honolulu Sunset member. Additional treats of sweets for dessert were balanced with green veggies and dip, donated and served by the Rotarians. The cupcakes were a hit to the young kids. Cold drinks and ice provided by DGE Naomi Masuno from The Rotary Club of West Oahu, were appreciated as the volunteers were challenged by the humidity and warm air .
After the hygiene kits and meals were served, the Rotarians gathered at the JABSOM school's cafeteria for a pot luck meal. PDG Win's barbecue beef and James' kimchee fried rice were a delight to many, as they enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie with 50-60 fellow Rotarians. Highlight of the evening was a talk by Program Director of the HOME Van, Michael McNulty, who shared his story about his own struggles with homelessness and how he became connected to the HOME VAN. Kevin, a 2nd year medical student, shared how the HOME VAN helped him hone in on some clinical skills, being involved a a volunteer and also as part of the medical school's curriculum. More so, he learned compassion for the less fortunate and the homeless population. Both inspired many of the club leaders to explore getting involved and helping the mission of the H.O.M.E. Van. The H.O,M.E. Van does not receive any state funding, so they rely on grants and community donations.
Mahalo to Dr. James Ham, President of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset, for leading this event and getting many clubs involved. There were many countless and tireless hours planning and coordinating.....but with Rotarians, service above self connects us to the world outside of Rotary. We can make a difference in our own community!
As rotarians, we do community service projects to impact the community, not because we want something in return. But, once in a while, a service project has the ability to change you as much as it changes the community.
On Rotary Gives Thanks Day, the Rotary Club of East Honolulu visited the Hale Ho Aloha Nursing Home. This project was chaired by Jamie Apuna. We visited, passed out holiday necklaces, hot cocoa and cookies, painted with them, and mostly talked story with. Resident charmer Jerry even serenaded us with a few songs. Actually, we could not take the mike away from him.
Ho'ola Na Pua helped organize the Human and Trafficking Awareness Day Walk and Fair. The Rotary E Club of Hawaii walked with DG Win and many other organizations and members of our community in Downtown Honolulu. Please join us and bring awareness to human trafficking and learn about how we can take a stand against human trafficking on our islands.
On October 7, 2017, the Rotary Club of Waianae was one of the sponsors for a Hooulu Kaiaulu O Waianae 2017, a Community Planning Summit in Waianae. The Waianae Economic Development Council develops economic opportunities on the Waianae Coast. Their goals include building the physical infrastructure for local businesses to develop and grow by utilizing the rich culture, history, natural resources, and people of our community. They strive to increase opportunities for the residents by identifying and addressing economic development priorities. The Council created an ongoing, sustainable and long-term community planning entity to take responsibilities for community planning and development needs on the Waianae Coast and improve access to capital, information, technology and other resources.
At this Planning Summit, a “Report Card” was shared that included demographic data on housing, employment, family, Aina/agriculture, transportation and business development. They discussed the homeless impact on the Waianae Coast. Participants discussed the goals and objectives for the next 3 years, which included developing existing and emerging leadership; identifying and constructing the physical intellectual and social infrastruture to further economic development and stimulate new growth; and building the financial foundation needed to ensure financial sustainability for the efforts to continue.
Rotarian Joseph Lapilio was one of the key organizers and he facilitated the session on economic development. Seven Rotarians from the Waianae Club attended representing one of the many stakeholder groups involved in this community assessment and conversation. As Rotarians, we should consider doing a community assessment to identify the needs of the communities we serve and look for meaningful solutions to make a difference in the lives of those around us. Go to rotary.org to find a Community Assessment Toolkit.
