Weekly Newsletter

Rotary Club Hilo Bay Newsletter for the Week of June 18, 2025

Steven Sylvester, President

 

President Steven Sylvester convened his last meeting of his presidential year at 7 am.

 

Pledge of Allegiance:  JoBee Kamalii

 

Inspiration: JoBee offered the following words of advice that she learned from her students; “Slow your roll”. When life is getting too intense, slow your roll.

 

Guests:  Mike Gleason, a former RCHB past president 2003-04, who returned to the Big Island, after a ten-year hiatus on the mainland. Mike is now the CEO of the Volcano Arts Center.

 

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions:  None.

 

Announcements:​

Richard C. reported that this year’s scholarship drive ended with $9,450 for the UH-Hilo nursing scholarship and $4,495 for HRYF. Donations can still be made but it was time to name the incentive winner of the jewelry box---Ken Barnes!

 

Sharon S. announced that she is trying to sell a table at the Junior Achievement banquet. The price is $150 per ticket and the event will be held at the Arc on July 30^th.

Steve J. reminded the members of the conversational English program is hosting a session the next day at Hilo Community College at 0815. Meet at the flagpole.

 

Pres. Steven announced that we are dark for the next two Wednesdays as he and Tim. H prepare to exchange roles. Tim’s installation will be on July 3^rd at the Golf Course restaurant. Tickets are $40 and it is good chance to make up the meeting of July 2^nd.

 

James T. announced that the Oktoberfest committee will meeting on Thursday, June 26^th in his office in the Hilo Lagoon Bldg. 1^{st t} floor at 5pm

 

The Volcano ½ marathon is being held on July 25^th and RCHB will be staffing the water station. Please sign up with Mary B.

 

Finally, Pres. Steven reiterated that we are dark on June 25 and July 2.

 

JoBee Kamalii announced that she was going all in on a major fundraising event. She will need to raise $10,000. (I am sorry that I did not hear her entire announcement.)

 

Thanks to Patrick Bodell you can now check the HBRC calendar of events by going to:

https://hilobayrotary.com/Events/Calendar?AccountId=7725&Year=2025&Month=6&SearchTypes=All.Copy the preceding address and past it into your search bar and you will go to the club calendar for all of the scheduled events.

 

Happy Dollars: 

Dwayne Mukai - $20 for witnessing Bryan Lindsey baby sit Pres. Steven’s son, Emett, during the meeting.

Mike Gleason is happy to be living back in on The Big Island.

Sharon Scheele - $10 welcomed a new great-granddaughter to her family, Hana, which means “flower” in Japanese. .

Anita Cunningham is $10 happy for their oldest son, who is on his first trip to Japan with his best friend.

Virginia Juettner was $20 happy to see her grandfather graduate in the best college commencement ceremony ever! Also, her cousins’ visit to the Big Island.

Art Taniguchi was $20 happy because he and his wife spent a week in NYC; attending the theater and a baseball game,

Hirona was happy that the boys woke us early so that she could attend a meeting.

Pres. Steven was happy to have his wife, Hirona and their two boys, at his last meeting as president of RCHB, $20

Steve Jacunski was $20 happy because of the great job Steven did as president.

 

 Vocational Speaker: Geoli Kawahiekaleuople Ng

This presentation was given by our own, club member, Geol Ng.. She is a Native Hawaiian, born and raised in Waiakea, Hilo. She is the Director of Kokua Initiative of Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water. Today, she gave us a personal glimpse into her background.

 

She is a Proud Mom, Mentor, Motivator, and enjoys empowering others through community-based efforts. Her parents are George Kaoru Inafuki and Lillian Kanealai Amina. Her father was an artist and painted with oils. Geoli started drawing in 2007, at a young age. She has always gravitated to art and crafting and feels connected to her dad when she creates. She’s had no formal education in art but rather has a BA in Early Childhood Development and a minor in Family Life Studies from Concordia St. Paul. She went on to study Computer Science at Brigham Young, and at University of Hawaii at Hilo.

 

 

Today, Geoli shared her aloha thru art. She demonstrated how she uses her computer to create patterns and designs with Procreate, that ultimately end up as beautiful pieces of wearable clothing. One of our members, (Muki) was wearing an aloha shirt, created by Geoli and he modeled it for us all to see!

 

Door Prize Winner: There were three door prizes. #1) Hirona won a gift certificate from Geoli. #2) Hirona won it, but refused it then, Pres. Steven won it and refused it and bounced back the door prize into the pool and it eventually was won by “Lucky” Chester Cabral!  #3) Lorraine Davies’ name was picked, and she won a wood plaque with the inscription; “Come share the salt with Gratitude” accompanied by a delicate cloth with an Ulu pattern.

 

4 Way Test: Hirona Sylvester.