Events

NO MEETING ON JULY 1, 2025

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

from

The Rotary Club of Honolulu

RCOH MEMBERS ONLY

Come Talk Story with our 2025-26 Club President, Brian Dunkel

Share your thoughts and ideas!  He is interested in what you have to say! 

LOCATION:  Palama Settlement Lanai Picnic Benches  (801 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817)

DATE: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

TIME:  1:00 pm to 2:00 pm  (NOTE: This is one hour later than our regular meetings)

COST: $25 / person

Food from Zippy's and Subway, non-alcoholic beverages also provided

This will be an IN-PERSON ONLY get together.  

Join the Rotary Club of Honolulu for our Hybrid Lunch Meeting at the Pacific Club!  Arrived at 11:30 am for fellowship and socializing. 

Our guest speaker is: 

Can't attend in person?

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4417548335?pwd=eWFoNkVqaFBCSVF2S1YyTklONHJ3dz09

Meeting ID: 441 754 8335

Passcode: Rotary22

Dr. Sandra P. Chang is a Professor in the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology & Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and is Chairperson of the Tropical Medicine graduate program.  A native of Hawai‘i, Dr. Chang completed her BS and MS degrees at University of Hawai‘i.  She obtained a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from Oregon Health and Science University and did her postdoctoral training at California Institute of Technology.  Dr. Chang’s research interests are immunology; vaccine development, implementation, and education; and One Health.  Dr. Chang is the Director of the UH Manoa One Health Undergraduate Certificate Program and the JABSOM Dean’s Certificate of Distinction in One Health for medical students.  Dr. Chang also leads the Education Subgroup of the Climate Change and Health Working Group.

Gregg was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Hawaii Theatre Center in 2017, bringing with him a strong track record in entrepreneurship, membership development, program enhancements, fund development, recruitment and project management. In this current role, he oversees all aspects of the state’s preeminent performing arts venue and it’s real estate holdings to direct growth and ensure consistency of HTC’s message and mission to be the place to celebrate arts and culture in Hawaii.

Hawaii Theatre Center has played a significant role in Honolulu’s cultural landscape since 1922. The mission of the nonprofit Hawaii Theatre Center, established in 1984 is to provide a broad range of entertainment, cultural and educational experiences; promote redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Honolulu/Chinatown; and enhance the quality of life in Honolulu. The Hawaii Theatre Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and was recognized as the “Outstanding Historic Theatre in America” in 2005 by the League of Historic American Theatres and, in 2006, received an Honor Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the restored Hawaii Theatre re-opened in 1996, and attracts over 100,000 patrons a year to its beautiful auditorium. 

THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONOLULU IS HOLDING A PAU HANA

Join us for an evening of nostalgia at Hawaii's last remaining tiki bar and site of the original Hawaii 5-0.

Bring Friends and Prospective Members

DATE: August 14, 2025 (Thursday)

LOCATION: 50 Sand Island Access Rd, Honolulu, HI 96819

TIME: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

COST: $50 per person includes 2 drinks and heavy pupus.   

DETAILS: Feel free to stay afterwards and have dinner (your cost).  Bring friends and prospective members. 

IMPORTANT:  Mahalo to  alll who have registered!  We made our minimum numbers so the event will be held!  

Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

Beyond the Table: 15 Years of Culinary Connections

Read more about Denise here: Team - Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

Moses Kaoiwi Jr. is the president of INDO-PAC Strategic Consulting LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business, that provides strategic consulting services to various government and private organizations. He holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the US Army War College and retired from Active Duty with the Hawaii Army National Guard after over 39 years of service. His assignments included Director of Joint Staff, Land Component Commander, and Hawaii National Guard Joint Task Force Commander for COVID-19 Mitigation. Moses also served in the Hawaii Police Department as a Police Officer and Detective for over 12 years.  He serves as the Director of the Classical Era program for the Forum on Hawaii’s Military & Warrior Past. He contributed to a report on the military aspects of terrain during the Battle of Nuʻuanu for the report entitled “The Battle of Nuʻuanu Historic Preservation Project,” submitted to the University of Hawaii. Moses also serves on the Kupuna Council for the Dr. Agnes Kalanihoʻokaha Cope Center for Traditional Native Hawaiian Healing in Waianae. The center bridges traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices and Western medicine.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT FOR

SUSANNAH WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER

The Susannah Wesley Community Center (SWCC), a non-profit agency in Kalihi-Palama, has served the community for over 125 years, empowering youth, adults, and families—many of whom are newcomers to Hawai‘i—facing significant social and economic challenges. With a mission to help individuals survive, thrive, and contribute to society, even amidst language barriers and cultural differences, SWCC offers high-quality social services and programs rooted in aloha and respect. Through its comprehensive support, SWCC provides a sense of belonging and hope to those who are lost, hungry, or struggling, fostering self-sufficiency and independence in the heart of the Kalihi-Palama community.

NO LUNCH MEETING

HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE

It is that time of year again when the Rotary Club of Honolulu Walks to support awareness for Suicide Prevention by participating in the Out of Darkness walk.   Come join our team to help with awareness and support others who have been effected.   

Event Date:  Saturday 13 September 2025

Location:  Honolulu Hale / Frank Fasi Civic Grounds, Honolulu, HI

Schedule: Check-in at 9:00 am HST / Event Start Time at 10:00 am HST

JOIN OUR TEAM: 

Rotary Club of Honolulu Walks - Fundraising For American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, dial 988 to reach the 988 Lifeline or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

Matt Cox
Matson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew J. Cox was appointed chairman of the board of Matson, Inc. in April 2017. Having served as chief executive officer since 2012, Cox oversees the entire Matson organization, which includes Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (ocean transportation), Matson Logistics, Inc. (logistics and supply chain services), and Matson Terminals, Inc. (terminal operations in Hawaii). He has served on the board of directors of Matson, Inc. since 2012.
Cox joined Matson in June 2001 as senior vice president and chief financial officer. In 2005, he became executive vice president and chief operating officer and had a key role in the start up of Matson’s China – Long Beach Express in 2006. In 2008, he became president.
 

Prior to Matson, Cox had 15 years of experience in the transportation industry. From 1999 to 2001, he held executive posts at Distribution Dynamics, Inc., a provider of outsourced logistics, inventory management and integrated information systems based in Danville, Calif. Cox held positions of increasing responsibility at American President Lines, Ltd. (APL), from 1987 to 1999, covering financial and operational aspects of the company.
 

Cox has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program graduate.

MATT COX

Matson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew J. Cox was appointed chairman of the board of Matson, Inc. in April 2017. Having served as chief executive officer since 2012, Cox oversees the entire Matson organization, which includes Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (ocean transportation), Matson Logistics, Inc. (logistics and supply chain services), and Matson Terminals, Inc. (terminal operations in Hawaii). He has served on the board of directors of Matson, Inc. since 2012.

Cox joined Matson in June 2001 as senior vice president and chief financial officer. In 2005, he became executive vice president and chief operating officer and had a key role in the start up of Matson’s China – Long Beach Express in 2006. In 2008, he became president.

Prior to Matson, Cox had 15 years of experience in the transportation industry. From 1999 to 2001, he held executive posts at Distribution Dynamics, Inc., a provider of outsourced logistics, inventory management and integrated information systems based in Danville, Calif. Cox held positions of increasing responsibility at American President Lines, Ltd. (APL), from 1987 to 1999, covering financial and operational aspects of the company.

Cox has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program graduate.

Dean Camille Nelson brings a wealth of experience to her role. Prior to her appointment as Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2020, she served as Dean of two law schools – American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. She has also held faculty positions at several other law schools, including Hofstra University, Washington University, and Saint Louis University School of Law, where she was recognized as Professor of the Year and with a university Faculty Excellence Award. Over the last two decades, Dean Nelson has taught Criminal Law, Torts, and Criminal Procedure at Richardson Law as a visiting professor. Before entering academia, Dean Nelson was a litigator in Toronto and clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Dean Nelson’s career has been highlighted by excellent teaching, impactful scholarship, and awards for her service and leadership, including the Paul Robeson Award from Columbia Law School's Black Law Students Association and with a Top Woman in Higher Education Award by Diverse magazine. She was also recently selected as a recipient of the 2025 Deborah L. Rhode Award, presented by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). 

Since her arrival at Richardson, Dean Nelson has initiated several innovative programs. These include the Island Leadership Lab, an immersive leadership experience grounded in a curriculum specifically designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for success; the Business Bootcamp, a program that equips law students with essential financial and business skills; and an Innovator in Residence program to bolster the technological fluency of the law school community. Additionally, Dean Nelson launched the Hawaiʻi Online JD program to expand access to legal education, including across neighboring islands and the larger Pacific Region. She has also been instrumental in enhancing support for student bar passage and increasing scholarships for Richardson Law students. 

Few presidencies have sparked as much debate over economic policy as Donald Trump’s. Supporters credit him with historic tax reform, deregulation, and record-low unemployment before the pandemic. Critics argue his trade wars, ballooning deficits, and uneven gains exposed deep structural weaknesses. This session will explore the Trump economy—its short-term effects, long-term consequences, and what it reveals about America’s economic resilience. Attendees will gain insight into how Trump’s policies reshaped business, investment, and the labor market, and what lessons they hold for the nation’s economic future.

Jennifer Ablan is the Editor-in-Chief of Hawaii Business Magazine. She returns home to Oahu after 28 years in New York City covering finance and business news as both a reporter and editor. Most recently, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Pensions & Investments. Prior to that, she was U.S. Assistant Managing Editor at the Financial Times, where she helped drive editorial expansion across the United States.

Earlier in her career, Ablan spent a decade at Reuters as U.S. Investments Editor, leading a team focused on asset management and “big money” coverage. She also held positions at Barron’s and Dow Jones Newswires, consistently specializing in money management and investing.

Widely known across Wall Street for breaking major stories, Ablan has interviewed many of the world’s most influential investors, including billionaire activist Carl Icahn, DoubleLine’s “Bond King” Jeffrey Gundlach, Pimco’s Dan Ivascyn, Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett, Bridgewater’s Greg Jensen and Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, which invests in Bitcoin.

A proud graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Ablan received the 2011 Rising Star award from the Women’s Bond Club and was named one of Business Insider’s “125 most important finance people you have to follow” on Twitter.

Matt Elliott

Director of Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

UH Athletics. Our Team. Hawai'i's Team.

Matt Elliott was unanimously appointed by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents as the 26th Director of Athletics at UH Mānoa. He officially began his role on June 30, 2025, following a national search with over 110 applicants. UH President Wendy Hensel selected him for his leadership, strategic vision, and deep ties to Hawaiʻi.

Elliott brings over a decade of Division I athletics administration experience, including 13 years at UCLA. As Chief Strategy Officer, he led UCLA’s transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten and crafted a five-year strategic plan. He also played a key role in negotiating a $280 million apparel deal, the largest in college athletics history. His prior roles included overseeing sports operations, legal affairs, NIL policy, compliance, and athletic performance. 

From 2024 until his UH appointment, Elliott served as Senior Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, working closely with state leaders on advocacy and legislative strategy.

Originally from Framingham, Massachusetts, Elliott earned his BA from Amherst College, where he competed in varsity crew, and a JD with honors from Northwestern University School of Law. He moved to Hawaiʻi 2005 to clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Alan C. Kay, where he met his wife Allison, a Punahou School and Occidental College graduate. Elliott and his family returned to Hawaiʻi in 2022

Elliott assumes leadership at a pivotal time for UH Athletics, facing challenges such as NIL disparities, the House v. NCAA settlement, and the lack of a permanent Division I stadium. He is committed to building a department grounded in integrity, excellence, and student-athlete experience, saying:

“Together we will create the best possible student-athlete experience and set our teams up to win.”

ROTARY CLUB OF HONOLULU

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETING

Following our regular club meeting, please meet

in the Ewa Room @ the Pacific Club

1451 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 @ 1:30 pm

In-person & Zoom

Meeting is open for RCOH members to attend - let your Administrator know

ROTARY DISTRICT 5000 GOVERNOR

NANCY CABRAL

Nancy joined the Rotary Club of Hilo on January 29, 1988, as the first woman member. She served as the Club's Centennial President in 2020-2021 to celebrate its 100th year anniversary and has served on numerous positions in the club and the district. Nancy has been actively involved in many non-profit organizations throughout her lifetime of service.

Arrive at 11:30 am for fellowship and socializing prior to our 12:00 pm meeting start!  

ROTARY CLUB OF HONOLULU

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETING

Following our regular club meeting, please meet

in the Diamondhead Room @ the Pacific Club

1451 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 @ 1:30 pm

In-person & Zoom

Meeting is open for RCOH members to attend - let your Administrator know

NO MEETING

The Rotary Club of Honolulu would like to wish everyone a wonderful Holiday week full of love and THANKSGIVING! 

Safe travels to all who may be doing just that! 

ROTARY CLUB OF HONOLULU

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETING

Following our regular club meeting, please meet

in the Val Ossipoff Room @ the Pacific Club

1451 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 @ 1:30 pm

In-person & Zoom

Meeting is open for RCOH members to attend - let your Administrator know