With worldwide concern over the rapid spread of a novel coronavirus and a recent report from the State Department of Health that two confirmed cases traveled through our state in recent weeks, over 60 people attended a special meeting on Tuesday, February 18th.  East Hawaii Rotary Clubs hosted Jason Dela Cruz from the State Department of Health and Chad Shibuya, Arthur Sampaga and Elena Cabatu from Hilo Medical Center.  The group took us through a lively presentation that included the origin of the virus, measures that have been taken to arrest the spread and local precautions that are being taken to keep our citizens safe and prevent panic that can result from the spread of inaccurate information on social media.  Dela Cruz and Shibuya both stressed taking the normal precautions to avoid getting the flu or colds (such as frequent handwashing) and that the spread of the virus throughout Hawaii is pretty small.

 

Over 60 people attended a special Rotary meeting to discuss the coronavirus in Hawaii.

 

Members from all East Hawaii Rotary Clubs were in attendance

One of the founding members of the Rotary Club of South Hilo, Jimmy Souza, passed away today at age 90. . Jimmy took ill on December 21st and had been convalescing at Life Care since then.  He started to decline over the weekend and passed away peacefully this morning at 9:53 a.m.  More information on funeral arrangements will follow, including how our Rotary Club will memorialize Jimmy.  His daughter, Geri, expressed gratitude to Rotary for always being a special place for Jimmy since 1956.

Doug Adam received his Paul Harris +6 pin (his first ruby!) at the weekly meeting on Tuesday December 17th.  

Paul Harris Fellow recognition has been decorating our Rotary Foundation’s passionate supporters for many years. It is a proud tradition that honors the memory of our founder Past RI President Paul Harris.  In order to be honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, someone must contribute sums of at least $1,000 to our Foundation’s Annual Fund, Polio Plus, or approved Foundation grant. These funds can be used to honor others while being applied to the amazing work that has distinguished our Rotary Foundation as an organization that provides hope, health, and peace around the world. Becoming a Paul Harris Fellow is a tremendous accomplishment and honor multiplying that generosity, multiples the community impact made with these contributions. So much good begins with these gifts: wells are constructed, children are vaccinated against illness, senior citizens are afforded meals and services, children and adults are educated and given professional opportunities. This work is vital to the children, families, and communities who benefit. Only when people’s basic needs are met, can they pursue the larger elements of human life including conflict resolution, community building, and peace. Paul Harris Fellows, in a very tangible way, provide stepping stones to a more harmonious world. 

 

 

Dictionary Distribution Chair Irene Bender has been hard at work getting Rotary dictionaries out to dozens of elementary school students in the Hilo area during the last month.  With help from many volunteers including Paulla Speegle, Phoebe Lambeth, Benson and Zeda Medina, Pat Aiona Jr., Charlene Iboshi, Peter Boucher, Pat Aiona Sr., Kim Kobayashi and Tom English (among others), we have been able to distribute dictionaries to St. Joseph's, Keaukaha Elementary, Kapiolani, EB DeSilva and Kalanianaole schools so far.  Rotary dictionary distribution is a worldwide Rotary project that promotes literacy around the world.

 

The second beneficiary of our Hilo Huli proceeds received a $10,000 donation from our Foundation.  Lisa Rantz, Executive Director of the Hilo Medical Center Foundation (HMCF) attended our October 15th meeting to accept the check from Foundation treasurer, Wana Agasa.  HMCF was one of 15 east side non-profits to apply for project funding from the Rotary Club of South Hilo Foundation.   Rantz reavealed that the award would be used to assist the Rural Health Professionals rotation program.   This program allows health professionals to move around our community to experience the many facets of our culture, livelihood and families.  Our Foundation has donated nearly $100,000 to HMCF over the last 10 years.

Kamaka Gunderson (left) and Linda Leilani Lindsey-Kaapuni (3rd from left) spoke on the behalf of the Mauna Kea Protectors at our October 8th meeting at the invitation of our member Lani Weigert (2nd from left).  Sherry Bracken (right) from NPR was also at the meeting to cover the presentation.  Gunderson and Lindsey-Kaapuni discussed their view that many of the agreements that were supposed to be followed regarding the management of Mauna Kea have been not been upheld by the State of Hawaii.  They also shared the belief of many native Hawaiians that Mauna Kea has always been deemed as a scared space so that any building or construction of any kind constitutes desecration of a sacred Hawaiian site.  Several club members participated in a lively question and answer period that followed their presentation.