From the meeting of November 5, 2025
Rotary theme for November is the Rotary Foundation
Call to Order: Past President Loraine Davis called the meeting to order at 0700
Pledge of Allegiance: Chester Cabral
Inspiration: James Tyrin - “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time. They have the heart.” Elizabeth Andrews
Trivia: When was the first contribution made to the Rotary Foundation and what was the amount? $26.50 in 1917 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City.
Guests: None
Birthdays, Irene Nagano, Alan Okinaka, Virginia Juettner
Anniversaries, None
Inductions, Alan Novak, Alan Okinaka
- Virginia Juettner completed a remembrance book for Steve Jacunski and his family. It will be delivered later this month. A living memorial will be held for Steve on Dec. 28th.
- Nov. 14th will be the yearly Rotary Foundation event.
- JoB and Anita Cunningham announced that the Tent or Treat was being held at St Joseph’s school that evening and you can never have too many volunteers.
- The Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for Nov. 8th, and Rotarians are encouraged to march.
- On 11/13, the U. of Hawaii, Hilo Basketball banquet will be held. Art Taniguchi suggested that the Club buy a table to thank the players for their help with Oktober Fest.
- JoB had 30 Salvation Army Angel Tree gift tags that she distributed with the name, age of the child and a preferred gift.
- Richard Cunningham announced his new fundraising goals for the year--$3K for HRYF and $5K for the nursing scholarship. He also promised to turn his silver oak board into a jewelry box.
- The Rotary Foundation lunch will be held on 11/14 at noon at the Grand Naniloa in the Sandalwood Room in conjunction with the Hilo Bay Rotary Club meeting. We will be dark on 11/12; see you on the 14th.
- Chester Cabral announced that Hope Services will have their family luncheon on Nov. 26th for homeless families. Besides lunch, a number of services will be available for families. He is looking for 10 volunteers.
- Virginia Juettner reported that we will be reading again in December. A schedule follows the newsletter.
- Jan reminded the Club of the Holiday Party in the Bank of Hawaii lobby on 12/20.
Happy Dollars Our meetings are fast paced and packed with information. To ensure that we get the intent of Happy Dollars right, we will only list those who provide a description for their Happy Dollars. If your name does not appear below, we did not get a form for your Happy Dollars.
Happy Dollars:
$20 – Preston Barnes – In Memory of Steve Jacunski, please give to HRYF.
$20 – JoB – Celebrating Wednesday Luau of Laughter! ��
$5 – Steven Sylvester – A wonderful Tent or Treat-Halloween at St. Joe School. Last
year, Richard Cunningham was “Tinkerbell.” This year, he is “Rumpelstiltskin”, since he
will be turning wood into “gold.”
$10 – Alan Okinaka – Helping Rotaract Club with EIN, Articles of Incorp. And 501c4
designation.
$5 – Richard Cunningham – Why do Hawaiian’s have a quiet laugh? A–low-ha!
$5 – Anita Cunningham – Happy for the successful Tent or Treat-Halloween event at St.
Joe, to support the Rotary Interact Club. Thank you to the members for your monetary
support!
Guest Speaker: .PP Loraine Davis expressed the following:
When I first joined Rotary, I’ll admit I didn’t know much about the
Foundation. The talks I attended didn’t quite resonate with me at the time. It
wasn’t until I attended PETS—President-Elect Training Seminar—that I
truly realized the breadth and depth of Rotary’s impact.
I grew up in the era of polio. I have cousins and classmates who contracted
the disease and were left disabled, some with a mild limp, others needing
to sleep in an iron lung. When the vaccine became available, my mother
pulled me out of school to get it. In our household, you were never pulled
out of school unless it was an emergency or someone had died. That’s how
serious it was. My family experienced the effects of polio firsthand, and
those were truly frightening times.
Today, I give a monthly gift automatically to Rotary International to support
mothers and children, and to help prevent disease. I also contribute
monthly to Polio Plus, because I want to see polio eradicated in my lifetime.
I do this in remembrance of my cousins Lloyd and Alice, who contracted
the disease.
Supporting the Rotary Foundation is not just about giving—it’s about
honoring the past, protecting the present, and investing in a better future for
communities around the world. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps
advance our mission of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean
water, supporting education, and protecting the environment.
As we celebrate Rotary Foundation Month, it’s important to reflect on the
reasons we give and the impact our generosity has on communities around
the world.
Today, I’m joined by a panel of dedicated Rotarians whose
commitment to service and philanthropy exemplifies the spirit of Rotary.
Through their experiences and insights, I hope we can inspire even more
members to support the Foundation and help advance its mission of
promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting
education, and protecting the environment.”
Door Prize Winner: Tom was door prize winner—a bottle of wine and a $50 gift card.
Four Way Test: Alan Okinaka
Da Rotary 4 Way Test…all da tings we stay tell and stat do
- Fo real?
- Eh, faya fo all?
- Going get mo alohoa & stay tight
- Eh, goin be some good, yah?
Inspiration and door prize for November
Speaker for Next Wednesday:
WE ARE DARK ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH. SEE YOU ON NOVEMBER 14TH FOR THE ROTARY FOUNDATION LUNCH.
Virginia’s Schedule of Readers
Waiakeawaena-Alan coordinating the schedule. No dates scheduled beyond December.
Monday, Dec 1 Alan reading
8:15-8:45 Caceres
9:00-9:30 Marote
10:-10:30 Miyose
Wednesday, December 3 Mary reading
12:00-12:30 Teramoto
12:30-1:00. Cabuyadao
Waiakea- Virginia coordinating. I plan to read to these students for the time being.
Thursdays
9:50-10:10 Hara (P4)
10:15-10:30 Shibuya & Ushida (MRP)
November 13
December 11
January 8
February 5
March 5
April 2
April 30
Hilo Union- Anita coordinating
December 2
9:35-10:00 Ms Leach &Mrs. Yuan, Virginia
No schedule for:
Ms Bernabe & Ms Pascal no reply
Ms Harrison & Baldwin, Anita