Newsletter for Week of January 14, 2026
Tim Hansen, President
Rotary Theme for January — Youth Services
Call to Order: 7:00am by Pres. Tim Hansen –Meeting was a full house! Not a chair to spare!
Pledge of Allegiance: Chester Cabral
Inspiration: Patrick Bodell - 4 Keys to Wisdom:
1. I’m sorry
2. I don’t know
3. I need help
4. I was wrong.
Guests: Kevin Reardon, Rotarian Katsuji Takazawa & his wife Atsuko, Guests of Miyuki Lee; Mrs. Ito and Mrs. Hoshikawa, David Dunne; Rotary Club of Fort Collins, CO & his son,
Today’s Trivia: How many children (under 18 years old) live in Hawaii?
Answer: 293,350 and Under 5yrs.–76,624
Birthdays: None
Anniversaries: None
Inductions: Sharon Scheele – Jan. 12th – Sponsor – Carol Van Camp
Announcements: Literacy Project - Hilo Union - Virginia & Anita Cunningham will read to 1st graders in January 2026. Waiakeawaena Elementary School - Alan Okinaka - Reading to Kindergarten Students - Alan sent an email with class dates and time for the following dates: Monday, Jan. 26th, & Wednesday, Jan. 28th. Please respond to Alan by email or call Alan at 808-987-0096.
RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards – Transportation & donations needed to help defer costs. Ask Pres. Tim or Anita Cunningham for ways you can help.
Reminders - Community Service Projects
- March 9-12 – Navy Visit - Work projects to be announced.
- April – D5000 Workday - TBA
- May – 16th – Epic Day of Service
- June – 23-17, 2026 Taipei - Rotary International Convention
Open positions on 2026-27 Board Members– Treasurer and Vocational Services Director,
and President for 2029-30
Happy Dollars: $$$
$20 – Janell Kuamoo – Acceptance into Hawaii FoundHer Kapalili Cohort 1 – Focused on Agriculture and Food Systems.
$20 – Mrs. Ito, Mrs. Hoshikawa; Miyuki Lee’s guests – Beautiful day and beautiful people. Thank you!
$10 – Alan Okinaka - #1 – Enjoyed the Rotaractor’s visit. #2 – Read Jeff Ruby in Rotary Magazine.
Riddle: What do oceans say when they meet? Nothing, they just wave 😊
$10 – Kumiko Usada – I am thankful to Rotary International network. Welcome back to visitors from Japan; Katsuji and Atsuko Takazawa and welcome to our other Japanese guests today.
Guest Speaker: Susie Osborne – (Aka Wonder Woman), is the COO of Ho’oulu Lahui, a 501c3 Incorporated, formed in 1995. Their mission is to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, values, beliefs and lifestyles in partnership with the community, to achieve Lokahi (unity, harmony, total wellbeing.)
Kua O Ka La Hawaiian Charter School is Pre K-8th grade, with three preschool classes, approximately 185 students attend in all. The charter school is located on a 5-acre parcel, next to Nani Mau Gardens in Panaewa/Hilo.
The focus of the charter school is:
Education: Cultural, place – Keiki to Kupuna
Community Collaborations & Partnerships
Environmental: Sustainable practices
Health: Site for mental, physical and spiritual health
Economy: Internships, job creation
Susie thanked our club for the grant given to her charter school, that allowed a dozen students at Kua O Ka La, to attend Kohuwai Fishing Camp in December 2025. The Kohuwai Hawaiian fishing village is located on the Puna coastline. Much was learned by a fishing mentor and enjoyed by all.
Final Reminders:
Next week’s speaker will be a yoga instructor
Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, 1/15, at 7:00am via Zoom.
Check your emails and our Club website!
Four-Way Test:
David Dunne, Visiting Rotarian and future District Gov. 5440; Northern Colorado & Wyoming.
Inspiration & Door Prize:
Jan. 21 – Sandra Wagner-Wright
Jan. 28 – Anita Cunningham
Feb. 4 – Virginia Juettner
Feb. 11 – JoB
Feb. 18 – Deborah Beaver
Feb. 15 – Bob Juettner