The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay: Meeting Notes – May  13, 2026

Call to Order

President Tim Hansen brought the meeting to order at 7:00. 

Opening Activities

The meeting opened with David DeLuz leading the Pledge. This was followed by an inspirational moment from  Patrick Bodell:  ”Pay attention to the whispers so you won’t have to hear the screams.” A Cherokee saying.

Trivia and Notes

How would you describe a food fight? Chaotic, collective. A secondary answer is chaos can be a planned event. The Food Fight to end Hunger will culminate this Saturday at the St. Joseph’s cafeteria between 1 and 3 pm.

Guests, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions, Special Recognition

• Birthdays: None
• Geoli Ng and David DeLuz
• Anniversaries: None
• Inductions: Dale Tokuuke, Kapena Lum
• Guests: Lisa Williams  and Jay Brockman of Davis Sunrise Rotary
• President Tim gave PE Jan and her board a Big Mahalo for their work at Jan’s board retreat

Club Announcements

• President Tim announced that the annual dues invoices are going out. Individual dues are $300 and couples’ dues are $450. Payment should be made asap and checks or cash are preferred
• Virginia Juettner announced that things were wrapping up for the year one last Birth Day books distribution on  Wednesday and the final class readings
• May 16^th, the Food Fight to End Hunger. The goal is to raise $6,000 to be distributed to the Food Basket, Salvation Army and Hope Services. Please make your generous donations payable to the agency or agencies which you want to support. May 16^th will be the Food Fight Day at St. Joseph’s cafeteria from 1-3 pm. In addition to collecting money, you can contribute by attending, playing games and pieing local Rotary dignitaries. The Interact Club is making decorations and signage as well as organizing the carnival games. All proceeds will be distributed to the three previously listed agencies.  The Rotary Club with the highest per capita giving gets bragging rights for winning the Food Fight to End Hunger. Rotary Club of South Hilo pledged $3,000 and Hilo Rotary Club pledged $1500
• Jill Jacunski and her family reminded us that the  Jacunski Memorial Scholarship will be awarded  at the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center Gala on 5/23. All Rotarians are invited to attend
• President Tim announced that the YWCA fundraiser will be held on 5/21
• Alan Okinaka reported that Club Runner is holding online workshops to introduce its new version, Nova. Sign up online
• Art Taniguchi that the annual day of support for our police, fire and EMS is taking place between 4:30 and 5:30 on Friday
• Kim Keahiolalo announced that the Scholarship committee was done for the year
• Mary Begier announced that the Volcano Run will be held on 7/25 and she needs volunteers for the hydration point
• PE Jan will become P Jan on July 1^st. Her installation will be held at the Hilo Women’s Club. Stay tuned for more information
• Anita Cunningham reported that the Tsunami Museum acknowledged out grant at their annual event
• David DeLuz announced that he would be making three $5,000 contributions to HRYF, the Community Foundation and our soon-to-be club foundation in recognition of the support from Hilo to the family’s businesses over the years

Happy Dollars

$50 - James Tyrin -  Oldest son, Luke turning 17 yrs on 5/14 and youngest son, Liam's basketball teams first victory!

$20 - Tom Witthans - Banyan Drive improvement, while I was away for 3 weeks of traveling

$10 - Alan Okinaka - Cure for gout - vitamin C and tart cherry. 

$10 - Anita Cunningham -  Completed five sessions of Junior Achievement, kindergarten class at Hilo Union Elem. And, our oldest son turned 20 yrs. and is spending the month of June traveling in Europe! 

$5 - Virginia Juettner - My husband washed my car.  Happy to celebrate Youth month with scholarships, volunteering in schools for literacy and Junior Achievement 

$5 - Richard Cunningham - Happy to complete scholarship fundraiser for HRYF & UHH Nursing—$9,500, our most ever! 

Guest Speaker—President Tim asked Alan Okinaka to take the podium as our guest speaker. Alan explained the picture that was projected on the screen, a photo of the summit of Mauna Kea, summarized his presentation. He went on to explain some of the events in his early life growing up in Hana. The summit of Mauna Kea is a place of power, wonder and unexplainable phenomenon for Alan. He discussed five events that defied rational explanations that he believed were true and happened to him and maybe one or two others including Brian Lindsey. For a detailed description of these accounts Alan referred us to Aloha Aina, Vol. 2 which contains not only descriptions of the 5 phenomena but others that he experienced. Alan, a retired engineer, is functioning in rational and spiritual realms effectively without conflict between the two. 

Door Prize Winner: Patrick Bodell, $50 gift card for Mom’s Restaurant

Closing Announcement:

1. Next week’s speakers are Nik from the Naniloa and Ian from Full Life
2. RI Convention is June 13-20
3. D 5000 Conference is Aug. 21-23 in Honolulu
4. Travel to Japan to visit our sister club will occur in May 2027
5. Check your emails and the club website, www.hilobayrotary.com, for news and updates

Four Way Test: Alan Okinaka

Door prizes and Inspirations for May

               Bob Juettner                      May 20^th

               Mary Begier                       May 27^th

You can’t be a door prize winner without door prizes. Lorraine is looking for volunteers for door prizes and inspiration. Her calendar is in need of  names and commitments.