Newsletter for Week of April 1, 2026
Tim Hansen, President
This Month’s Rotary Theme for April: Environmental Awareness
Call to Order: 7:00am by President, Tim Hansen
Pledge of Allegiance: Virginia Juettner
Inspiration: Jan Abundo – Q: What do you call a loud guy? Answer: Mike
Trivia: April Fools’ Day has a history that dates back several centuries, with its exact origins remaining unclear. One popular theory suggest it began in 16th century France, when the calendar was changed from the Julian to the Gregorian system. Leading to confusion about the new year. And those who continued to celebrate on April 1st, were mocked as “April Fools.”
Guests: None
Birthdays: JoB – March 18th
Anniversaries: Richard & Michelle Cunningham, March 31st
Club Related Announcements
- Rotarian of the Month of March – JoB -- Congratulations for your hard work with the Navy!
- Rotary Shirts for Sale, only $10 – Contact Jan Abundo
- HRYF – Richard Cunningham – There’s still time to donate! Richard is traveling until late April, and the drawing for the jewelry box will be in early May. This gives us all time to write a check to HRYF and the U.H.-Hilo Foundation for the nursing scholarship. Checks can be given to our Treasurer, Janell Kuamoo or mailed to Richard Cunningham, 252 Kaiulani St. Hilo, 96720.
- HRYF Scholarship Candidates – Alan Okinaka interviewed 10 high school students.
- Literacy Project April Birthday Books & May Book Fair – Virginia – reading to students at Hilo Union School has been a success! Birthday Books have been well received, and the school has asked us to come back next year! If you’d like to volunteer to read, please see Virginia and Alan Okinaka.
- Help Decorate Merrie Monarch Float on Friday March 10, 10am – Text Patrick Bodell 808-840-8162 for more info. Merrie Monarch Parade – Saturday, March 11, 9am. Wear your Rotary shirts!
- D5000 WorkDay at Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, Saturday, March 18th, – 9am-11am Invasive Seaweed Removal Project. James Tryin says this is a multi-club event. There is something for everyone. Land crew and water crew. Our club will host refreshment table. Bring water, wear shoes, socks, blue jeans, sun protection, hat, gloves.
- Important Safety Notice: If you plan to work in the pond, be sure to be free of any cuts on arms or recently shaved legs, or open wounds. For more information; Contact James Tyrin james.tyrin@alliant.com or Susie Osborne at halai96720@gmail.com
- Food Fight for Hunger, Saturday, May 16th – Location St. Joseph School Cafeteria Stay tuned as Tim will make more announcements next week.
Happy Dollars:
- $10 – JoB – For the blessings received from others. Reflective on the Aloha and Mahalo for those who came before us. 😊
- $5 – Alan Okinaka – In Interviewing students for the HRYF Scholarship, he found them to have confidence and courage to say; “I don’t know” to a question!
- $5 – Virginia Juettner – April 1st Story – Teacher hid the music teacher’s motorcycle in the supply room. On the door was a photo of an ape, which he noticed but didn’t put two-and-two together!
- $5 – Anita Cunningham – Happy to get her car back, after waiting for a month, for a 725 cranking amp battery! Happy to be reading to the 1st graders at Hilo Union. 😊
- $5 – Kathleen Rowden – ASDC, Inc Autism Walk on Sat. April 4th, 2026. (Pres. Tim sent a flyer out to members.) Happy that walkers signed up for Merrie Monarch Parade, to support our special community.
- $5 – Kaitlin Balmoja – Bankoh sponsoring and furnishing a unit in Kona with Hope Services.
Guest Speaker: Miriam Larsen, MT-BC, WMTR, HPMT Music Therapist!
Miriam grew up in North Dakota and was in the Lutheran Volunteer Corp. She started off in college as an English Major and earned a degree as a Music Major. She counseled kids with music therapy. She grew up playing the piano and plays the guitar. Later, she worked with adults with disabilities. Her motto is that music is a way to improve function, most importantly, psychology of the brain’s structure, control thoughts, emotions and behavior. She enjoys her work as she gets to know people deeply. She works for Centers for Independence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Miriam is a certified music therapist. Using the tool of music helps to socialize.
She played and sang a song while playing the guitar, (Mahalo Kathleen Rowden for the loan of the guitar!) The name of the tune was Somos El Barco/We Are the Boat – Miriam had our members singing this tune; “I am a circle; I am healing you. You are a circle.
You are healing me. You unite us, make us one. You unite us, make us one.”
I think we all left the meeting lighter in spirit.
Door Prize Winner: Art Taniguchi won a $50 gift certificate to Big Island Delights
4-Way Test – Anita Cunningham
Door Prize & Inspiration
April 15 – Mike Carroll
April 22 – JoB 😊
April 29 – Janell Kuamoo
May 6 – Richard Cunningham
May 13 – Patrick Bodell