From the meeting of January 28, 2026
Call to Order: President Tim Hansen called the meeting to order at 7 am.
Pledge: Kathleen Rowden.
Inspiration: Anita Cunningham, “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create. What you focus on, you manifest. What you believe, you achieve. What you speak, you live. What you forgive, you heal. What you give, you receive.” Buddha.
Trivia: In which year did RI adopt RYLA? 1971.
Guests: Kevin Reardon, Emmett Sylvester, Preston & Ken Barnes.
Birthdays: Jan Haraguchi-Abundo.
Anniversaries: None.
Inductions: None.
Club Announcements:
- Richard Cunningham reported a problem with the assembly of the jewelry box—a board had warped but he would make it right. HRYF and U of H scholarships goals are $3K and $5K respectively. Please contribute.
- A call out to Deb Beaver who agreed to make festive decorations for our meeting!
- Literacy Projects FEB 5, Virginia reads at Waiakea Elementary
FEB 11, Virginia and Anita read at Hilo Union. FEB 18, Birthday Books distribution, noon, Waiakea. Kathleen Rowden reported that she read to three 3 classes and had a good time with the students. James Tyrin is looking for volunteers to distribute Dictionaries to 3rd grade classes at Hilo Union on 2/11.
- RYLA--Anita reported on the need for volunteers to chaperone students going to and from the camp on the bus and for overnight chaperones in the dormitory as well as cash donations to offset the cost of the bus and other expenses.
- Community Service--JoB reported on the projects for Navy Blue which is 3/9-3/12. Admiral Miholea, who is in charge of Navy Blue, will be our guest speaker on 3/11. Invitations will go to the Hilo and South Hilo Rotary Clubs and the Rotaract Club. President Tim thought we will have to bump this breakfast cost up a bit.
- James Tyrin is working to identify an environmental project for the Club. If you have suggestions pass them onto James.
- The D5000 Ponhepe Health Services project will take place between 5/2-5/9. Any Rotarian is invited to participate in this project regardless of profession.
Happy Dollars
$12 – Jan Haraguchi-Abundo – Seahawks win for Kyla.
$10 – Alan Okinaka – Ellison Okizuka’s Message to Future Generations “If I can impress upon
you one idea…Let it be that people who make this world fun, whose lives can be termed
successful, whose names will go down in the history books, are not the cynics, the critics or the
armchair quarterbacks.” “Make your life count – and the world will be a better place because
you tried.”
$10 – Miyuki Lee – My friend from Japan will perform (dancing for 60 years!) at Kahilu Theatre
at 2pm, this year at the Waimea at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
$5 – Virginia Juettner – #1 – Oldest granddaughter’s birthday today! #2 – Literacy volunteers
and #3 – Jan – Bon Dance lessons
Guest Speaker: As this was a Club Assembly, we did not have a speaker President Tim asked Sandra Wagner-Wright why she joined and stayed in Rotary? Sandra responded that she was retiring from the U of H and she found that the friendship and collegiality of the Club was a replacement for professional association at the University. She also has a lifelong commitment to the eradication of polio which is central to Rotary.
President Tim explained that the cost of breakfast exceeds the weekly breakfast revenue. Our average attendance rate according to PP Lorraine is only 47%. This means that club funds are used each week to meet the charge. PP Steve pointed out that the room cost also covers storage of our flags, sound system etc as well as setting up and taking down of the room each week.
Finally, President Tim announced the Food Fight to End Hunger would take place in May. The Hilo and South Hilo Rotary Clubs will be invited to participate. One club will reign supreme on a per capita basis of funds raised. The goal is $6K to be divided between the Food Basket, Hope Services and the Salvation Army.
Closing Announcements
- Check your emails and the Club website.
- Sign up for door prizes and inspirations with Lorraine.
Door Prizes: Kathleen Rowden and JoB won gift cards to Big Island Candies
Four Way Test: Kevin Readen.
Door prizes and inspirations:
February 4 is Virginia Juettner
February 11 is JoB
February 18 is Deborah Beaver
February 25 is Bob Juettner
Next Guest Speak
February 4th TBA