The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay: Meeting Notes – November 4, 2026
Call to Order
PP Tim Hansen presided instead President Jan Haraguchi-Abund. He called the meeting to order at 7:00 in the Palm Lounge of the Grand Naniloa Hotel.
Opening ActivitiesThe meeting opened with PP Tim asking Alan Okinaka to lead the Pledge. Patrick Bodell wore his inspiration. 
Trivia, Joke, Japanese and Spanish Word of the Day, Guests
Alan, the best non-scientific way to bring a group together and make it creative is with M&M peanuts—not regular M&Ms it must be peanut M&Ms.
Joke What did the shark say after eating the clown fish? He is really a funny guy!
Japanese: I am sorry, Gomen-nasai
Spanish: I am sorry, Lo siento
Guests, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions, Special Recognition
Birthdays: Irene Nagao, Alan Okinaka, Virginia Juettner
Anniversaries: None
Inductions: Yu Yok Pearring, Alan Okinaka, Tim Young
Guests: Lily, Kevin Hopkins wife
Club Announcements & Community Service Opportunities, Club Recognition
PP Tim made the following announcements
- Kuikahi Mediation, Peacemaker award Toby Taniquchi, Nov. 22nd Table for eight is $1,600.
- Veterans Day Parade is Nov. 7th. Meet at 9:30.
Looking for a Sergeant of Arms. Will a worthy volunteer please stand up!
Higashi Hiroshima 40th Installation is scheduled for May 23, 2027. Sign up if you are going to attend. Our sister club needs to make arrangements for pre and post activities.
- HOPE Services luncheon is on Nov. 20th. Club members will volunteer and support the memory of former Rotarian Chester Cabral.
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing and Angel Tree time is drawing near. JoB will be coordinating our participation.
- RI World Convention is in Barcelona, June 26-30
- East Hawaii Rotary Clubs Membership and Casino night Social in January 2027
Happy Dollars 
from Nov. 4th
$10-Jeff Gray survived another trip around the sun!
$10-Janell Kuamoo got to spend quality time with my ohana at Jeff’s Jam.
$5-Patrick Bodell mentioned the interview with author Ann Patchett, one of his favorite authors in the Rotary Magazine
$5-Miyuki Lee daughter Hirona had to go to the ER on Tuesday. She got better in the evening. It was a good to see her healthy and home as the mother of three children.
$5-Alan Okinaka revitalized his 2009 Carolla with the help of AI
$5-Kevin Readon returned from a good trip. Good times with family and friends including Tim’s niece.
$10-Bryan Lindsey for attending Jeff’s Birthday Party.
$10-Virginia Juettner best birthday ever, her’s not Jeff’s
Guest Speaker: PP Tim introduced himself as the guest speaker. His topic was the emergency number 988. 911 everyone knows is for fire, police, and emergency services but 988 is designed for people needing crisis help.
- While 911 is a local dispatch service, 988 is run through an Oahu dispatch center. While the goal of 988 is to dispatch a crisis responder in 45 minutes, the wait time on the Big Island is much longer.
- The 988 dispatch center has forty-seven members providing year round, 24 hour service with special lines for veterans, LBQT and adolescents.
- Trained mental health workers resolve about 80% of the emergencies on the spot when they arrive. The remaining 20% are referred to medical or public service organizations.
- The use of 988 is seeing a reduction of 911 calls as people become aware of the alternative 988
- Rotary in Hawaii is spreading the word about 988 at the local level through a grant and the D 5000 Mental Health initiative.
Door Prize Winner: Kathleen Rowden
Final Reminders
Travel to Japan to visit our sister club will take place on May 23, 2027.
RI World Convention in Barcelona in June 2027.
Check your emails and the club website, www.hilobayrotary.com, for news and updates.
Still looking for a Sergeant at Arms
Four-Way Test: Kathleen Rowden
Door Prizes and Inspirations for Nov
Alan Okinaka Nov 11
Miyuki Lee Nov 18
You cannot be a door prize winner without door prizes. Patrick Bodell is looking for volunteers for door prizes and inspiration.
