A MESSAGE FROM

PRESIDENT CAROLANN BIEDERMAN

Aloha mai kākou,

Fellowship was the focus this week at three different Restaurant Week gatherings. On Monday, Tiny Pyramid was the spot of choice for Julia Allen, Lee LaBrash, Dawn Marie, Kent Reinker, and Ian Wetherell among others who enjoyed the French/Laotian menu and irresistible pastries. Wednesday sunset dining at the Original Roy’s in Hawai‘i Kai brought Brian Dunkel, Nancy Grekin, Rob Hale, Bridget Townsend and Bob Sumpf together with Dave Shanahan and his wife Sue Shanahan, along with Nancy Lui-Kwan and her husband Greg Lui-Kwan for fine dining. On Thursday, the Uahi Island Grill in Kailua did double duty for a laid back lunch and the initial Communications/Public Image Committee meeting.

I am heartened by the level of enthusiasm and activity already buzzing at our Club. Mahalo to the Directors and committee members who are committed to creating a productive, impactful year. There are many opportunities for everyone to be actively involved – sign up for meetings and hands-on projects, join a Club committee, and share your feedback in an upcoming survey. 

The first Community Service project for the new Rotary year is on Saturday, August 1, at the Kokokahi YWCA on beautiful Kaneohe Bay. Mahalo to Community Service Director Gigi Davidson and RAT Pack leaders Reese Liggett and Tom Coyne for organizing it. The outdoor project includes tree and shrub trimming and general grounds clean up. For details and sign up click here. In the past, Club members repaired and painted many of the Kokokahi cabins. This project opens up a new chapter in our relationship with the YWCA. 

The next two Pacific Club meetings feature speakers who lead Hawai‘i’s largest local health care providers: Ray Vara, President and CEO of Hawai‘i Pacific Health on July 21, and Jason Chang, President and CEO of The Queens Health Systems on July 28. Expect timely information that focuses on Hawaiʻi’s health care crisis. I hope to see you there!

P.S. Please remember to turn in your 2026-27 membership dues form and payment this week. 

Mahalo nui loa,

Carolann Biederman

President

The Rotary Club of Honolulu

CALL TO ACTION

SERVICE PROJECT AT KOKOKAHI YWCA

Date: Saturday, 1 Aug. 2026

Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Pizza & refreshments: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: 45-035 Kane'ohe Bay Dr., Kaneohe, HI 96744

Details: Cleaning up the Kokoahi campus. Participants should bring gloves, bug spray, and a hydration bottle. The YWCA will provide free parking and a light lunch. Please complete the Kokokahi Y waiver prior to July 24th and register on our site as well, so we can track how many of our members will be attending.  Mahalo! 

Other items to bring:  

Volunteers Needed:  At least 20

Kokokahi Service Project Waiver & RSVP here!

RCOH registration list here! 

FROM DISTRICT 5000

Are you prepared? 

Tune in on Saturday, July 18, 10-11 am.

Hurricane season runs to November 30 and with the unusual severe weather the earth has been experiencing, you may want to have a refresher course on preparing ….just in case. 

The District has formed a Disaster Advisory Team of volunteer Rotarians, headed by Calvin Hara.  The Team is in the formation stage but wanted to have a webinar for our members with helpful hints.  Also, if you are a Ham Radio operator, please let the team know. 

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94810456899

Click here for the handbook!

RESTAURANT WEEK REVIEW

Mahalo to everyone who joined us at one or several of the three locations. 

• Tiny Pyramid
• Original Roy's in Hawaii Kai
• Uahi Island Grill

View Photos Here

Photos Courtesy AARP Hawai'i

Rotary Club of Honolulu and Rotary District 5000 Foundation members celebrate in Centennial Park their selection to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant to help complete the park in urban Waikīkī. 

From left to right: Rotary Club of Honolulu members Linda Coble and Nancy Youngren, Rotary District 5000 President Dave Hamil, (President, D5000 Foundation), Rotary Club of Honolulu Immediate Past President Brian Dunkel, Rotary members Bob Sumpf and Rich Proctor, AARP volunteers Daniel Gardner and Gary Simon, and Rotary Club of Honolulu President Carolann Biederman.