Yesterday, more than 30 Rotarians, guests and potential members gathered for our Pau Hana in the Park. Rob Hale and Bob Sumpf offered walking tours inside the Centennial Park Waikīkī construction zone. Then, we ascended to the stunning 18th floor Penthouse Suite at the Courtyard by Marriott Waikīkī Beach for sunset, pupu, drinks, Rob's project overview and fellowship.
Rob’s update included the original park video narrated by Linda Coble, that covered the project’s origins, and a look ahead to the completion of the fence, gates, signage and landscaping. Q&A, the Four-Way Test, and the singing of “Hawai‘i Aloha,” led by Bub Wo, ended the evening on a high note. Mahalo to our outstanding Administrator, Lee LaBrash, the folks at Highgate, our generous hotel partner, and to volunteers Julia Allen, Ian Wetherell, Rob, Bob, Linda and Bub for making this event a success.
Our Rotarians are definitely People of Action. Here’s a sample of the honors, recognitions and community service projects underway for almost every week between now and Thanksgiving.
Nancy Youngren is leading our club’s participation with the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset for the annual US VETS service project and Veterans Day lunch in Kalaeloa. Please bring usable clothing in good, clean condition for men and women and nonperishable food items to our lunch meetings on October 20, 27, November 3 and 10 andsign up to volunteer at the event.
World Polio Day on Saturday, October 24 is Rotary’s opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Polio Plus, the RI initiative that has already eradicated polio in 99% of the world. Check out the District 5000 website for ways to support Polio Plus.
"Rotary Means Business," our corporate membership recruitment event, is set for Thursday, October 29 at The Pacific Club. Invitations have been sent to CEOs, other business leaders, and former Club members. Please reach out to Bridget Townsend if you know a local businessperson who is a good candidate for corporate membership.
Bob Sumpf has organized a volunteer cleanup day in Centennial Park on Sunday, November 8, with support from AARP’s Community Challenge Grant. Sign up here.
RI President Elect Larry Lunsford will be in Honolulu on Monday, November 9. DGE Rich Proctor has organized the Rotary dinner in his honor at the Hale Koa Hotel. Ticketsare still available, so don’t miss this rare opportunity for personal interaction with Rotary International and District leaders.
Hai Cha Lambert and Hiroko Dewitz are planning the effort to welcome 18 Rotarians and spouses from the Fukuoka Heisei Rotary Club to Honolulu. They will attend our November 17 Club meeting and several other activities are in the works for our members to get to know and socialize with our Friendship Club (since 2019) and proposed Sister Club.
Riley Lau and the six other members of the Don Anderson Youth Leadership Fellows cohort are finalizing a community service project at Kalihi Elementary School to improve and beautify the campus before the Thanksgiving holiday. Stay tuned for details.
We’re back at The Pacific Club next Tuesday, October 20 to celebrate our newest Rotary Treasure, Dave Shanahan. This is the highest honor that our Club offers, and recognizes Dave’s contributions and achievements to Rotary, the community and the world. Sign up here to attend the lunch meeting, which promises to be as genuine, sincere, lively, humorous and amazing as the honoree himself. I encourage you to wear your favorite Rotary aloha attire to add to the festivities.
You are part of the magic that makes Rotary special. Your trust, partnership, and continued support helps shape who we are, and where our Club is going. I’m grateful to work alongside you.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mahalo nui loa,
Carolann Biederman
President
The Rotary Club of Honolulu
PAU HANA IN THE PARK OCT. 15 REVIEW
MAHALO to all members and guests who attended our event!
MAHALO to Rob Hale & Bob Sumpf for leading the Park tours, Rob for the Centennial Park updates and history, Linda Coble for narrating the video, and so many others who have turned a dream into a reality!
October is the month for recognition and raising funds to eradicate polio, Rotary International's commitment to the world.
Please consider participating on World Polio Day, October 24. You will also have the chance to donate during the Service Above Self Campaign in January 2027.
ROTARY D-5000 OAHU - ROTARY CLUBS JOINT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 11
Our club is once again joining the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset to honor veterans at the annual US VETS luncheon at their Kalaeloa facility.
GET INVOLVED NOW by donating usable clothing in good, clean condition for men and women and nonperishable food. Bring items to our lunch meetings on October 20, 27, November 3 and 10 and sign up to volunteer at the event.
If you would like to help, watch for the signup sheet or contact your Administrator!
VOLUNTEERS
Oct. 20, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen & Tammy Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Adam Bogucki & Bob Sumpf
Pledge:
Peg Jackson
Music:
Rich Proctor
Inspiration:
Peg Jackson on Polio
This meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
VOLUNTEERS
Oct. 27, 2026
Registration:
Julia Allen & Tammy Lee LaBrash
Greeters:
Dennis Lind & Maria Song
Pledge:
Rob Hale
Music:
Al Linton
Inspiration:
Don Anderson's YMCA Hall of Fame Honor
This meeting will be held at the Pacific Club
Cooperation and collaboration are key words for Rotary this year. There are six clubs in our O‘ahu Waikiki Hui under Assistant Governor David Livingston: Ala Moana, Aloha HI International, Honolulu Sunset, Kaka‘ako Eco, and the Waikiki Rotary Club. One way we’re helping each other is by sharing event information. Click below for details.
On the District website (www.rotaryd5000.org) there are two places where you can help with donations for those affected by recent hurricane activity. At the top of the District website, you'll see an icon that says, “Disaster Relief Donations”. Click on the icon if you want to help fellow Rotarians who have been affected by the storms. This donation is not tax deductible.
If you have a project you'd like to present, please complete the Project Recommendation Form and email to our Director of Community Services, Gigi HERE.
Do you have a speaker recommendation? If so, please complete theSpeaker Recommendation Formand send it to RCOH Administrator, HERE. She will submit all forms to the Speaker Committee.
Subscribe to the RCOH Tradewind Newsletter & Event Bulletin
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The Pacific Club
