We are dark this coming Wednesday due to the hotel’s schedule. This is a great time to buy a couple of tickets to Oktoberfest! Just copy and paste the link below into your browser and you are there.
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for the 26th Annual Hilo Bay Oktoberfest!
Saturday, October 3, 2026: 5:30pm - 8:30pm at Sangha Hall in Hilo
Authentic German Food • Beer & Wine • Refreshments
Live Entertainment • Silent & Live Auctions • Costume Contest, Games and More!
Tickets starting at $75.00!
https://hilooktoberfest.com.
The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay: Meeting Notes – September 16, 2026
Call to Order
Past President Steven Sylvester called the meeting to order at 7:00. One guest and eighteen of the fifty four members of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay were in attendance.
Opening Activities
The meeting opened with Alan Okinaka leading the Pledge. Kathleen Rowden shared an inspiration – Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. Voltaire
Trivia, Joke, Japanese and Spanish Word of the Day, Guests
Alan is back and so well cosmic trivia next week.
What state can be spelled with only the home row keys? Alaska
Wakaimasen, I do not understand.
No Spanish this morning
Guests, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions, Special Recognition
Birthdays: Miyuki Lee, Michelle Flemming, Ken Barnes
Anniversaries: None
Inductions: None
Guests: Guests: Drew Daniels, Director of Marketing & Sale at the Naniloa Hotel.
Club Announcements & Community Service Opportunities, Club Recognition
PP Steven made the following announcements.
- The monthly social will beat Bob & Virginia Juettner’s house in Hakalau on Sunday, Sept. 27th. It will be a baby shower for Hirona Sylvester. Time is 4 pm. Contact them at 808 491 2232 for location etc. Lite pupus and refreshments will be available. See separate email with details and directions.
- HRYF--it is time for the matching contribution from Sak & Save remember 77199
- Club Foundation organization is continuing. The State of Hawaii still has not issued the incorporation paperwork.
- Oktoberfest, 2026 is fast approaching. Silent auction items are needed. See Tim and Patrick. Tickets and sponsorships can be had by going to. https://hilooktoberfest.com/. The Board of Directors approved billing each member for two tickets to Oktoberfest. This will happen after the event if tickets or sponsorships are not purchased.
- Food Basket is looking for volunteers to pack Kapuna Boxes. See Janell for more information.
- Looking for a Sargeant of Arm.
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sept. 19th. We will have an information table at the event.
- Virginia Juettner is looking for volunteers to read aloud. A sign up sheet will be circulated.
Happy Dollars
$20 David DeLuz wanted to acknowledge the more than 30 year commitment of Richard Cunningham to HRYF. He is the voice of HRYF on the Big Island.
$20 Kathleen Rowden wants to the Club of Camp Imua Big Island, 2026—bringing hope, building futures. Sharing with the children of the incarcerated ages 7-17.The camp will be held Oct. 9-11 at the Waiakea Uka gym. Volunteers should contact Dawn Tavares 808 987 2053.
$ 5 Alan Okinaka praised the new DMV offices and they renewed his driving license.
$5 Miyuki Lee was made happy by the rainbows this morning!
$20 Ken & Preston Barnes was happy to host Drew Barnes.
$10 Richard Cunningham explained the joys of providing free labor to process grapes in France and to watch his granddaughter grow up. He might have had an encounter with a job seeker wondering who this American was working in the winery for free.
$10 Virginia Juettner thanked all the volunteers who are reading to students! She also reminded us of that Monday is the beginning of Peace Week and that bells will be rung at 9 am around the island and the world.
Guest Speaker was Patrick Bodell! To say that Patrick is a great public speaker is an understatement. He was informative, enthusiastic and entertaining.
- He was born in Michigan. Went to MSU for his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and U. of Miami FL a master’s degree.
- He worked and traveled in so many places that it makes it difficult to get a job from just his resume.
- Fortunately ,Patrick is an entrepreneur. He started two businesses. The first in New York state featured local made and sourced products which he closed after two years.
- The second was in Washington state and we designed to be Amazon proof. He purchased a franchise from Wild Birds Unlimited which had 400 franchises nationwide. Birding is one of the biggest hobby groups in the US. With a 100 species of birds living in the Wenatchee area it was a natural fit. The beauty of this retail business was that Patrick showed his customers how to have and view birds without ruining the lawn or attracting rats. After several years of success, he sold the business and moved to Hilo for a new start.
- Patrick also has a great sense of humor! He told us about the beach in Monroe which was sandwiched between a coal burning power plant and a nuclear one. Told us that his BA made it possible for him to do anything and everything. That his hometown was the site of the Monroe Massacre of 1812, the birthplace of Gen. Custer, Jay Sterling Morgan, one of the founders of Arbor Day and of Christy Brinkley among others.
- Patrick will share his love of birds and birding with those of us who want to come to Queen Liliuokalani Park at 7 am on September 30th.
Door Prize Winner: Anita Cunningham— a $100 gift certificate to Jackie Ray’s, Hilo.
Final Reminders
We will be dark on Sept. 23 and again on Sept. 30 to get ready for Oktoberfest.
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 Sargeant at Arms
Four-Way Test: Brian Lindsey
Door Prizes and Inspirations for Sept & Oct
Dark Sept 23
Dark Sept. 30
Virginia Juettner Oct 7
Lisa Lamonte-Willians Oct 14
Michelle Flemming Oct 21
You can’t be a door prize winner without door prizes. Patrick Bodell is looking for volunteers for door prizes and inspiration. His calendar needs additional names and commitments.
