On March 28th the Rotary Club of Kaneohe, Windward Oahu, and Windward Oahu Sunrise supported the Kailua Service Care Event. This event provides services for houseless individuals. Volunteers provide assistance with housing applications, employment support, veteran services, health care and insurance applications, legal aid, and assistance with IDs and vital documents. Additionally, those that attend are offered a meal, hygiene items, a shower, hair cuts, clothing, and free medical exams. Thank you to the efforts of all the Rotarians and community members that support this meaningful and important event for our windward community.
One of our club's outstanding members, Julie Strivens, organized a service event with RYSE (Residential Youth Services & Empowerment). RYSE is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating a youth access center and shelter services in Kailua, Oahu. From 8am to 8pm seven days a week, youth ages 14–24 can use their drop-in services free of charge. Their goal is to provide safety and help youth get off the streets, so that they can live and thrive as healthy, happy young adults. Our club collected hygiene products that were donated to a group of ~25 youth. Julie made Valentines with a card signed by our club members to accompany the donations.
On January 10th, our club gathered to celebrate the latest recognition of our Paul Harris Fellows. Paul Vierling, Sarah Herrmann, and David Herrmann were recognized for their generous contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
On 12/7/2022 the Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise assisted 'ohanas in the windward community to board trolleys for the lighting of the tree at Castle Hospital.
At this morning's weekly meeting, we hosted an amazing and informative presentation by Hawai‘i Nature Center Executive Director Todd Cullison! Todd shared about the wonderful educational opportunities available through the Nature Center's science-based programming for keiki. During the pandemic, the Nature Center has pitched in to provide safe and accessible science education to children on Oahu. By providing valuable outdoor learning, parents can trust their keiki are in good hands and getting the education they deserve.
The photo here shows local keiki learning about Hawaiian watershed ecology and integrating hands-on experiential opportunities.
As Hawai‘i Nature Center celebrates 40 years of education, please check out their web site and consider supporting this wonderful educational opportunity for all those interested in Rotary's newest area of focus and service: Environment!
Our Kailua Rotary members are staying connected together during occasional in-person social events at the beautiful Kailua Beach Park pavilion! These casual "come as you are" meetings let us stay active and catch up with one another if a little more social involvement is needed than our projects and Zoom meetings! Our most recent February 7th meet up was a great chance to welcome new and potential members in person to our club.
Stop by and talk story with our Rotary family as we continue staying safe during these difficult times. See you next time!
Looking for a way to help Keiki heading back to school? 🍎 Stop by our tent at Long’s Kailua next Sunday, 8/9 to help us gather donations for four local elementary schools! 📓✏️ All items and financial donations are greatly appreciated. 📚Volunteers to work the donation booth still needed. Mahalo & see you then!
We understand it's disappointing that the Rotary International Convention was unable to go forward as planned in Honolulu on Saturday, June 6. Let's connect for good by instead meeting at Kalama Beach Park on that day from 8:00 am-10:00 am and gathering waste and micro-plastics off our beautiful beaches. This project is family-friendly, open to all, and a great way to get some fresh air and exercise! Coffee will be provided, so gather early for the best parking and a cup of motivation.
Rotarian Luke suggested bringing kitchen strainers to sift out larger microplastic pieces. Mahalo Rotarians Lauren and Alenka for this project idea! See you there and don't forget to wear your Rotary shirts and hats!
Project: Beach Cleanup, Saturday, 6/6 at Kalama Beach Park
This past weekend, Windward Sunrise Rotarians and friends participated in an amazing local project in honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month! We worked together to renovate and revitalize the Group space at Windward Community Mental Health Clinic in Kāne’ohe. The Friday crew painted the room and touched up the lobby, with Saturday's crew hanging art, bulletin boards, and reassembling the group meeting space. Mahalo to all the phenomenal supporters and volunteers who helped make this awesome project happen for the clients of this important community health resource center!
Want to serve your community and help us out with one of our upcoming projects? Feel free to visit our social media or click "Join Rotary!" at the top of our page. Check out our YouTube Channel for a closer glimpse of this and other past projects!
Our online Windward Sunrise Rotary Club Zoom meeting is this Tuesday morning (4/21), at 7:15 am! We will use this time to check in with each other, go over what the club has been doing, and hear special guest speaker Ashley Wiberg, clinical social worker and Bobby Benson Center board member! Ashely provides therapeutic interventions for Oahu clients affected by abuse and domestic violence and her agency is interested in partnering with your Windward Sunrise Club for a Mother's Day project. Please e-mail or use the "Contact Us" form for the Zoom meeting log-ins! Our meeting space opens up at 7:00 am, so feel free to come in early as you sip your coffee and view our announcements.
Our small but mighty club was awarded the Fort Shafter Hui's $1,600 grant for our community projects! Mahalo nui loa for believing in the work we do in our Oahu community. This grant will help us provide immediate relief to families in need on our island. We cannot do what we do without selfless sponsorship from amazing community groups. Be sure to check out their website to see the initiatives they’re sponsoring this year!
Want to personally better our community this second? If you'd like to help those in need, here's your chance! Hawaii Food Bank needs Monetary donations, food (drop off at Napa Auto Parts in Kailua), and your help to sort/pack donations.
The Phase II of Rotary Cares About Mental Health at the Windward Community Mental Health Center is tentatively set for May 9th, depending on the State's COVID-19 direction. Due to social distancing, this project will be RSVP-only and has limited space for volunteers. Please reach out to me directly to RSVP with any guests you'd like to bring. More on this at our Zoom meeting on 4/21!
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or just need someone to talk with! If you have any photos of your activities during social distancing, feel free to e-mail them to be featured on our social media :)
I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe during this time of difficulty and transition to home-based activities. The federal government and Governor Ige has asked us to participate in home-based activities until April 30th (excluding necessary travel to refresh food and supplies, and medical care). This will not be forever! We will come back together as a group soon in May, with a renewed heart of gratitude to help others in our community. I have also been provided an excellent facts-based presentation regarding COVID-19 passed on by a military professional. It has very good graphs to help visualize information.
We have some exciting club updates to share this morning!
Our club has submitted two emergency grant requests to provide relief to our community through two projects, partnering with Rotarian Kathleen Merriam. These are requests and have not been approved yet (they were submitted this past weekend), but I wanted to share this information with all of you to show that even during this difficult time and social distancing, Rotarians can still make a difference by helping others in our Windward community.
Posted by Club President Brenna Dicks on Mar 23, 2020
Aloha Windward Sunrise Rotarians and Friends,
As we are all doing our part to combat the spread of COVID-19, Rotary District Governor Eric Kaler has formally recommended Rotary clubs do not meet in person during the rest of March and into April. Tentatively, we will resume our meetings in May. The Rotary International Convention in Honolulu has also been canceled.
You can stay informed with Rotary International's latest COVID-19 coverage at this link.
In good news, take a look at this card we received for our support of the Kahauiki Village! Thank you, Windward Sunrise Rotarians for your financial gifts to this powerful initiative to help families experiencing houselessness on Oahu.
Missing Rotary? (Of course you are!) There are opportunities to meet online with E-clubs. In our Hawaii District, we have two e-clubs that you may want to check out, as well as the first-ever e-club in Rotary!
* WE Rotary meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 3pm HST. Today they have a special online meeting and Kat Huber will be talking about the Coronavirus. Their web address is: http://rotaryeclubdistrict5000hawaii.org/
Come participate in the Rotary Spring Training Assembly online! The District has shared a Spring Training Assembly webinar schedule with each class lasting Saturdays, 9:00 am to noon. You can pick what topics interest you most - they are diverse and wide-ranging, applicable to business interactions and management! They can also help us all understand a little bit more about our Oahu community and the social issues we face. Check it out:
Apr 4 - Youth Service, Community Service, Vocational Service, education/literacy
Apr 11 - International Service, Grant Management, climate change/environment
Apr 18 - Public Image, Online Resources, Disease prevention/health
May 2 - Membership, Club Service, Club Trainer, Peace initiatives
May 9 - Rotary 101, Foundation 101, Homelessness on Oahu
Zoom online meeting webinar codes and directions will be posted on the rotaryd5000.org website (left side) and will be sent out to members via e-mail (I will send them to our friends and future Rotarians). You can listen in on just the ones that interest you or do them all. I guarantee you that you will get a ton of great information and ideas - and please take notes so we can share ideas at our next club meeting in May!
Thank you for all you do and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have further questions or concerns.
In service,
Brenna Dicks Windward Sunrise Rotary Club President
Mahalo to all our amazing contributors to our “Rotary Cares About Compassion” Valentine’s Day Project! The Windward Sunrise Rotary Club accepted a staggering ~$900+ in donations and $120 cash to create 67 gift bags. These gifts will be donated directly to families and survivors of sex trafficking and intimate partner violence right here on Oahu.
Club President Brenna Dicks and Windward Sunrise Rotarian Anna prepared and wrapped up the bags to distribute to the treatment centers and transitional housing in our local area. Rotarians are People of Action and we thank the community for their generosity! Come see how you can get involved in our next project!
Check out these awesome Rotarians, friends, & family who helped with the Kalama Beach cleanup project today! Hundreds of pounds of trash, fishing nets, and microplastics were removed from our beautiful Windward beach and ocean. Mahalo to all the beachgoers who let us know they appreciated our efforts! Ally Bank and Hensel Phelps were MVPs for helping provide the sifters, bags, gloves, & sponsorship for our project. We could not have completed this monumental effort without our awesome volunteers who truly care about our Hawaii ecosystem and environmental preservation. Check out our social media to find out when the next cleanup is taking place!
WSRC Rotarians are “Doing the most good” while partnering with the Salvation Army today at Safeway in Kailua! Mahalo to our fantastic, friendly Rotarian bell ringers. All the kettle collections will go to fund rehabilitation programs and community initiatives on the Windward side. Thank you to our volunteers who took the time to spend a few hours spreading Christmas cheer: we know schedules are very packed during the holidays. Lorianna, Sarah, Michaela, David, Brenna, and Larry say "Merry Christmas from your Windward Sunrise Rotarians!"
What started as planning for our club's annual holiday party grew to the Windward Oahu clubs of Windward, WSRC, and Kaneohe...which grew to extend invitations to the entire Hawaii district! We had about 50 Rotarians and friends in attendance at the Elks Lodge venue in Kailua. What a great way to network: we even had Rotarians from Hilo in attendance! Our trio of organizers to include Paul, Alenka, and Brenna planned a fun and laid-back event to celebrate the holidays--including great decorations to spruce up the Elks Lodge - Rotarian style!
Through the generosity of Rotarians and guests, we filled an entire large box of toy donations for Toys for Tots Hawaii to include $85 in cash donations. Additionally, WSRC raised $285 in donations from the 2nd Annual Holiday Raffle Basket Fundraiser! This fundraiser allows our club to do its work in the Windward community.
WSRC Combined Holiday Party + Toys for Tots Fundraiser
A festive and wonderful time sharing holiday cheer with the clients, staff, and family of the Windward Community Mental Health Clinic! 🎅🏻Windward Sunrise Rotary partnered with Kathleen from Rotary E-Club Hawaii to provide a stress-free moment to decorate the tree, drink hot cocoa, enjoy cookies, and win raffle prizes. WSRC provided the tree and many decorations so these men and women overcoming adversity could enjoy this tradition each year 🎄
Christmas Cheer Decorating at Windward Community Mental Health Center
A very special thank you to our Windward Sunrise Rotarians and volunteers who helped conduct Keiki Vision screenings at Maunawili Elementary! WSRC partnered with Christ Church Oahu members to ensure each third grader has the best chance for success in their school year. Our volunteers also gifted each child with their own encyclopedia/children's dictionary and U.S. Constitution. For many children, these are the first books they have truly owned. Mahalo to our awesome Rotarians and volunteers for another successful Keiki Vision! If you'd like to participate in our next Keiki Vision on December 4th at Waimanalo Elementary, let us know!
What an amazing and fulfilling day at Hoʻokuaʻāina! Windward Sunrise Rotary Club members and local community groups learned about the history, culture, planting, caring for, and harvesting of taro at this beautiful traditional farm. It was truly a wonderful experience to work our āina together and learning hands-on about traditional Hawai'ian cultivation methods. Mahalo to all those who joined us... Did we mention we got to hang out with ducklings and toads? Be sure to check out WSRC Rotarian and Global Village owner Dawn's "Better to Give" program and we hope to have you join us next time!
Windward Sunrise Rotarians have now officially contributed to the Rotary District 5000 Bali International Service Project! District Governor Nominee Sandy Matsui of the Kaneohe Club has graciously agreed to transport the funds to Bali safely and directly. Though our own club members are unable to attend this time, we will still make an impact by offsetting the costs by sponsoring the three project sites: Jodie O'Shea, Kolewa, and Puspadi Bali. Mahalo to each Rotarian for your generosity in giving to our club, ensuring we can help keiki across the globe on their way to a better life. Rotary connects the world! Come see how you can do good in the world and in our local community with Rotary.
What an amazing turnout for the first Blocktoberfest in Kailua! Thousands of residents and families came out to support their community—and your Windward Sunrise Rotary club was right in the action! We had a great time showing the community what Rotary stands for, what we do locally and internationally, along with some fun games and candy for the keiki. Mahalo to all who stopped by to say hello! A big thank you to David, Sarah, Lorianna, Micayla, Sandy, Gerry (and Khaleesi the Rotary Puppy), Lori, Luke, Lauren, Cat, Herb, and Allie for giving your time to support your community by making this event a success.
Congratulations to our newest Windward Sunrise Rotarians! The new member induction was held during our multi-club social mixer at D'Vine Kailua. Mahalo to all our awesome Rotarians, future Rotarians, friends, and family who came out to support and appreciate our inductees. Anna, Larry, Naty, Luke, and Lauren were excited to become Rotary International's newest members. We had a great time visiting with other club members, as well as supporting one of Kailua's newest businesses and sampling the unique food and wine varieties offered. Welcome!
The second phase of the Kahauiki Village project has started, and 30 formerly houseless families are in the process of moving into their new, sustainable homes! Houselessness has a significant impact on the health and well being of our keiki, including the parents’ ability to find jobs and retain steady employment. Reducing family homelessness can only be achieved through a coordinated and collaborative approach that provides at-risk families the help they need, when they need it the most.
Kahauiki Village is a groundbreaking initiative that maximizes public and private resources to implement a long-term strategy aimed to help houseless families attain and permanently retain homes for their own families and children, and obtain employment opportunities within walking distance for these parents.
The Windward Sunrise Rotary Club donated $200 to help support these resident families with a full home starter kit, including a microwave, to help the transition into their new homes and establish their new lives at Kahauiki Village! Mahalo to our club members for their support of this important Oahu initiative for our neighbors!
A great event to support the Host Organization Committee's efforts for our Rotary International Convention in Honolulu next June! Attendees enjoyed wine, dinner, a painting lesson, silent and live auction, and amazing friendship with Rotarians from all over the Hawaiian Islands! We were also excited to welcome our very special guest: Rotary International President, Mark Maloney and his spouse, Gay Maloney. Mahalo to all who came out to celebrate during this fabulous evening.
A huge MAHALO to our very generous Windward community for donating 12 boxes full of school supplies for local area schools... and $640 in cash donations for items teachers need most! The Windward community's overwhelming care and interest in our local keikis’ education is what aloha is all about. Kudos to our 11 Windward Sunrise club members who donated their time on a Saturday. You all rock!
Happy July 4th! A big mahalo to each and everyone who participated in or attended the amazing annual Kailua Independence Day Parade. We appreciate your support of our Windward community! Our very own Windward Sunrise member Joe Lichota provided live island-style guitar music for the crowd, and other liberty-loving Rotarians passed out American flags and candy to parade attendees so kids and adults alike could wave our banner of freedom.
In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, a total of 26 volunteers, over three days, with a total of 155.5 man hours, made this amazing mental health clinic transformation happen for our Windward neighbors in need!
The Windward Community Mental Health Clinic had been neglected since the 1970s and did not project the care we feel toward our local residents and families grappling with the effects of houselessness, mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues. Click to read more...
A big mahalo to everyone that came out to support the Waikalua Fish Pond cleanup and beautification project. 🌊🐟Thinking of #EarthDay, your hard work and efforts made an incredible difference in keeping Hawaii beautiful and preserving Hawaiian culture for future generations.
Col. Patrick Collins gave a presentation on the Civil Air Patrol. The Civil Air Patrol performs three primary missions: providing emergencyservices; offering cadet programs for youth; and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.
Connie Mitchell, from the Institute of Human Services, spoke on homeless issues in and around Oahu. They are the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive human services agency focused exclusively on ending and preventing homelessness in Hawaii!
"With a growing and changing homeless population, we must continue to innovate and adapt to best serve our clients’ needs."
IHS’ approach to homelessness balances compassion with fostering kuleana, and competence with evidence-based practices in order to spur thoughtful reflection and assertive action. Their team of 156 employees serve the entire homeless community from veterans to seniors, the chronically homeless to transgender persons. IHS serves Hawaii’s most vulnerable individuals with respect, taking the time to listen to their stories and offer tailored solutions. Beyond food and shelter, IHS offers a wide variety of supportive services that allow individuals to reconnect, heal and succeed. Mahalo, Connie!
Our very own Windward Sunrise Rotarian, Brenna Dicks, gave an inspirational presentation on the Psychology of Gratitude for Thanksgiving! Brenna shared the latest scholarly psychological research about the amazing impacts gratitude and empathy can have on our brains and its neuroplasticity -- i.e., how our brains can actually change and create new pathways for learning! She even gave out a freebie: a journal to help realize ways to identify positivity in our lives.
Our Club Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship Receipent.
Ralph Winnie Jr., Director of The Eurasia Center’s China Program and Vice President of The Eurasian Business Coalition’s Global Business Development
Ralph E. Winnie, Jr. is Director of the Eurasia Center’s China. He also serves as Director of the Eurasian Business Coalition’s China Program and is Vice President of Global Business Development. He was appointed by the Guangxi Investment Promotion Agency as Business Development Representative for North America. He has been responsible for the promotion of business development, tax and trade between Guangxi province in the People’s Republic of China and the United States. Ralph has worked directly with clients who wanted to do business in Guangxi province, arranging meetings with provincial government officials and the Guangxi Investment Promotion Agency which assist him in helping to identify and locate potential Chinese joint venture partners for clients.
We were honored to hear about Mr. Winnie's insight to trade relationships between US and China, and his expertise in the new US approach to negotiations. Mr. Winnie also introduced his mother to our club.
Jeanne Torres, Executive Director of Guide Dogs of Hawaii (with her guide dog, Luke) is one of the oldest non-profits in Hawaii with an endowment from the Jack and Marie Lord Foundation (from Hawaii Five-O fame). She discussed several interesting topics, such as guide dog training; the 19,000 blind in Hawaii; seniors who are going blind; how blind children adapt thanks to new technologies and adaptive aids. They are a strong example of support for those with disabilities.
Paul is presenting David with an appreciation certificate for his service as president of the club.
Roger Breisch spoke about Ian Riseley's RI theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. Having spent more than 3000 hours answering calls on a suicide hotline and thousands of hours working with teens in an anti-drug, anti-alcohol program, he used those experiences to point out how Rotarians do more than make a difference…they make a difference that makes a difference.
We had April Bullis from Honolulu ReStore present about their organization. Honolulu ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and home accessories to the public at a fraction of the retail price. ReStore raises additional funds to support Habitat’s mission to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to make decent, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Proceeds from sales are used to build homes, communities, and hope for the people of O’ahu.
Makana Chai presented to us her thought on Mindful Multi-tasking. She gave us great tips on how we can incorporate exercise, meditation, and spiritual strengthening into our everyday lives. By reducing stress, we lead more beneficial lives and build connections with those around us!
Josh Stanbro is Honolulu’s Chief Resilience Officer, and also serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. Josh has a deep background in sustainability and brings a track record of developing cross-sector partnerships to his role in Mayor Caldwell’s administration. He also asked for our feedback on most significant concerns for gradual and shock impacts to our state economy.
Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.
Mr. Eric Golub gave a very energetic and hilarious presentation on non-controversial subjects of politics, religion, race, and education. It was a great way to start off the day laughing.
We had a wonderful meeting!! We started off by giving the Boy Scouts Pack 311 a check for $2224 for their efforts with the Symbol of Freedom Flag Program. Our Rotary Club and Boy Scouts Pack 311 have worked together for the past year in selling flag subscriptions and putting flags in peoples' yards on the flag days during the year. This has been a tremendous success!!
Our very own, multi-talented, and always enjoyable, Paul Vierling; who spoke to us about the exciting world of numismatics. When it comes to coins, the most important aspect is: condition, condition, condition! He is the only presenter who handed out money during his presentation, it was quite rewarding!
David Miyashiro, the CEO and founder of HawaiiKidsCAN, spoke to us about our eucation system of the future in Hawaii, one where
students—regardless of zip code or income level—have access to high-quality educational experiences and graduate with the adaptability,
creativity and curiosity to be our local and global leaders. We envision a system that promotes and celebrates multilingualism, diversity and our Hawaiian host culture. We envision an education system where school leaders and teachers are celebrated as professionals and individuals, that fosters engaged citizens in politics and community issues and in which our students’ identities are affirmed as residents of Hawaii.
We had a great day with our Keiki Vision program at Mālama Honua in Waimanalo. Mahalo to all our great members who helped out, and Katy for coordinating and leading the effort!!!
We were delighted to hear from Fawn Leibengood, the Marine Debris Removal Program Manager of 808 Clean-up, a non-profit organizing volunteers to keep our Aina beautiful!! In just a few short years, an idea of a few friends on discussing who should help keep Hawaii clean has exploded with hundreds of volunteers providing thousands of hours of helping clean our beaches, lands and trails.
RB Kelly presented "The Science of Body Language!" Great insights on what we say, even when we are not talking! We all think we know how to read the body language of others, but RB has tremendous knowledge and insight. With RB's enthusiasm and willingness to share, our team has a much better understanding of what is being said by others and ourselves through our non-verbal communication! Mahalo RB for taking the time with us!!
The Club did their first of four Keiki Vision service projects at Waimanalo Elementary School. It is great when a club comes together to help out keikis in our community!!
Mr. David Lau of the YMCA provided a historical and insightful presentation regarding the Ulupo Heiau at the Windward YMCA. While there has been a long history of the importance of this Heiau, and many attempts to restore it, the past 2 years the YMCA has done an incredible job cleaning it up and reviving the Heiau and the land around it!
Rotary District Governor, Nalani Flinn, visited our club Pau Hana, and provided an update on Rotary in Hawaii!! She is an wonderful leader and inspiration to Rotary in our District!
Geal has helped families with their financial plans for over 30 years and will discuss additional considerations for needed for blended families. (Second marriages and step children). She shared the importance of well defined wills and trusts, so that loved ones are taken care of after we are gone.
Mahalo for to the team (and Paul Vierling who was too busy working to be in the pictures) for making more flags for the Symbol of Freedom Program. This is where Rotary and the Boy Scout collaborate on a fundraiser. We sell Flag Subscriptions to the Olomana Neighborhood Community, and the Boyscouts put flags in the yards on 5 flag days a year. This has raised over $2000 in the first year, and it is still growing!!!
Shantel Becker's became a club member today, and also provided us a presentation on "How she got to here." She has had a fantastic journey, and has traveled throughout the world. We are delighted that her adventures have brought her here in Kailua, and that she is joining our club!! Please welcome our newest Rotary Member Shantel Beckers!!
Great day for a Rotary School Supply Drive!!! Windward Sunrise Rotary collected 10+ boxes of School Supplies and over $400 for needy schools!! Awesome Team Work!!!
What an awesome Service Project today for the Windward Sunrise Rotary Club and friends!!!! We repainted a US and World map at Kaelepulu Elementary School! We demonstrated our amazing paint-by-number talent!!! Mahalo for all those who helped out today!!!
Our End of Rotary Year Pau Hana was held at David and Sarah's house with great fellowship and laughter!! Mahalo for all those who were able to attend!!
Marissa and Lisa from the Alzheimer Association Aloha Chapter presented on the devastating effects of the disease on our community. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease (also known as early-onset Alzheimer’s).
On May 9th, we had our newest Rotarian inducted, Mr. Michael Chen, President of Adon Renewables. He has worked closely with Rotary in coordination with our club's Symbol of Freedom Flag Program, and we are excited to have him as a member of our club!
We also heard from Mr. Jeremy Guin, presenting on the newest Space Program as well as the importance of 3D printing!
We were honored by the repeat visit of Mr. Roger Breisch, and his insights on a very important subject of youth suicide. He gave several examples of phone calls he received during his 3000 hours as a volunteer answering calls on the National Lifeline, and more than 11 years working with teens in an anti-drug, anti-alcohol program. For those between the ages of 15 and 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death. He also works with Project Snowball, camps helping at-risk teens.
Roger Breisch-Changing the Course of Human History
Larry and Charlene Gearing gave a personal demonstration about the gear, outfit, and equipment needed to participate in a Triathlon. They showed us how the outfit is designed for swimming, biking, and running, as well as many tips of the trade. Club members are now enthusiastic to give it a try!!!
Larry and Charlene Gearing - Triathlon for All Ages
We had the pleasure of having Dr. James Shon present on his paper: LOSING OUR WAY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. He sited several areas where there are areas for improvement in today's public and private education process, and how there should be allowed to take more risks and make changes to provide better education for our students. His paper can be found at:
In addition, our Assistant District Governor, Sandy Matsui, inducted our newest Rotary Club Member: LEIGH ANN LANDRETH, the Executive Director of the Windward YMCA!! Welcome onboard!!
Dr. James Shon - LOSING OUR WAY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Mahalo to Sam Bello, BelloAdvisors LLC, and our other RMBF (Rotarians Mean Business Fellowship) - O'ahu friends for a fun and informative networking experience overlooking gorgeous Kaneohe Bay!
Dr. Tara O’Neill is an Associate Professor of Science Education, Director of the Institute for Teacher Education (ITE) Secondary Program and Chair of the College of Education Senate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM). She specializes in multicultural, place-based science, STEM and STEMS2 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Sense of Place) education.
One of her current projects, A‘o Hawaii, is working with K-12 educators developing STEMS2 units associated of the Worldwide voyage of Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia. This work involves designing and evaluating multicultural STEM curricula around the Native Hawaiian theme of Malama Honua (to care for the earth and her people) and teacher professional development associated with the voyage.
On Feb. 28th, the Koolau Clubhouse hosted the Windward Sunrise Club for their meeting, and provided a tour of their facilities. Michelle Chow, the Koolau Club House Director, her staff, and a few members of the Clubhouse board showed how their supported people with disabilities with advancing their education and assisting them with finding work. This is an essential organization for our community, and another awesome avenue of helping those who are in greatest needed. Kathleen Merriam, State of Hawaii Adult Mental Health Division and Rotarian of the Honolulu Metro Club, and Murray Visser of the Windward Rotary Club also joined the meeting and tour.
Becky Mia, volunteer from St. Anthony's church, presented their work with Family Promise, and was looking for volunteers. She presented the wonderful work which Family Promise does with evaluating homeless families, and how the organization works to get them on their feet, to become independent.
Mr. Pedro Haro, presented on important legislation currently in Hawaii's congress: Senate Bill534/House Bill 607, to create a fund to help caregivers provide care for our kupuna. These resources could help pay for a home health care worker, for a little extra help preparing meals, or perhaps for transportation when a family caregiver is not available. This program will help make long-term care for our kupuna more affordable and provide the helping hand caregivers so desperately need.
Mr. Jeremy Guin presented a highly insightful perspective of how we are in the mist of the 3rd Industrial Revolution! Mr. Guin focused on new technologies:
- Improvements in 3D printing,
- Advances in space based research to include the upgrades to the International Space Station (ISS): the Dream Chaser (a scaled down version of the Space Shuttle program) by the United Nations
- strategy to bring space to developing countries,
- The molecule scope created by the Yancy Corp which allows the scientist to actually view the physical and chemical interactions at the molecular level.
Mr. Guin gave a brief overview of these technologies, and identified the markets they effect and the potential human impact.
The Windward Sunrise Club conducted it's 3rd and final Keiki Vision this year at Blanch Pope Elementary School. We conducted 4 different simple vision exams, and referred 5 Keikis to have professional exams based on our preliminary testing. All the children were great and cooperative, as we shuffled them from one testing station to anther. It is these types of projects which allow us to get involved with the community to expand our Ohana!
On January 10th, we had the privilege of Ralph Winnie present us an update on his first hand experience and observations on the changes occurring in Cuba. Mr. Winnie described what it was like to be part of a authorized sports team visit, and his engagements with world class athletes.
We were honored with our very own Liz Cawrey and her presentation about her world travels and expeditions! The adventures she went on, the parts of the world saw, and how she has taken the time to put her life on hold and experience new people and cultures.
On Nov. 15, we were honored by having Blue Zones Project, Koolaupoko. She explained the global research effort on finding the healthiest locations on earth, learning from them, and providing guidelines on how we can benefit from changing our behaviors to having longer, happier, and healthier lives.
More can be found at: www.hawaii.bluezonesproject.com.#sthash.EwF0kHNb.dpuf
We joined forces with the Windward Oahu Rotary Club (the Lunch Club) to clean the beach at Waimanalo Bay Beach, and had a wonderful turnout!! We had young and not-as-young helping pick up the trash from the parking lots, park area, and beach! There was a lot of debris which washed up on the shore!
Each club was sponsored by MATSON, and each club will receive $1000 for helping keep the beaches clean.
Group picture after all the clean up!!
Joe, Monika, and Kane brining bags full from the beach!
Kevin and Rick really hauling it in!!!
Service Project, Beach Clean-up: Waimanalo Bay Beach
Hawaii Rotary District Governor Clint Schroeder, visited our club to let us know of the amazing work Rotary is doing across Hawaii, and internationally. After 30+ years of fighting Polio globally, there are only 26 new cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary, together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is pushing to finally eradicate this disease completely!!
Clint recognized 4 members for contributing to the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation
We also inducted 2 new club members: Dawn Ravelo and Sarah Herrmann
Clint also discussed the service trips that the Hawaii District will conduct in February to Myanmar and Taiwan.
Col. Mickey Addison believes everyone can reach high levels of performance if inspired and led. During his 28 year US Air Force career Mickey commanded thousands of Airmen, managed portfolios worth billions of dollars, and worked with military, civil, and industry officials around the world.
He holds a bachelor of science in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M, and three masters degrees: Civil Engineering (UTSA) and Military Strategy (Air University), and National Strategy from the prestigious Eisenhower School in Washington DC where he was a Distinguished Graduate.
Mickey is the author of six books, including Leading Leaders: Inspiring, Empowering, and Motivating Teams and The 5 Be’s For Starting Out. He’s a frequent contributor to industry publications and writes for his own Leading Leaders blog, and GeneralLeadership.com.
The Windward Sunrise Rotary club started their first two of three annual Keiki Vision and Dictionary Handout. There were 4 basic vision tests conducted, and handing out dictionaries and stickers!! Huge Mahalo for Katy and Dawn to coordinate this event, as well as Rotary Members:Kane, Susan, Rick, Jerome, Sam, David and Susan. Also an extra big MAHALO for Dawn's mother and sister, as well as our friends Laura and Ricky in supporting this effort!
Afterwards the kids and teachers told us how much they appreciate this annual event, and that they use the dictionary throughout the year!
And from Maunawili Elementary
Service Project - Keiki Vision at Waimanalo & Maunawili Elementary
On August 30th, we had a club meeting to discuss internal club finances, finalizing the Keiki Vision activities, and progress on Symbol of Freedom Flag Program.
Symbol of Freedom Flag Program: Initial flag sales on August 28, and have $581 in sales and donations!!! Next sales event will be on Sunday September 11th! This is a collaborative project with the Boy Scouts Pact #311 for an ongoing fundraising activity for the Scouts and our club!!
Thanks Katy for making the Banners to be hung in the Olomana Community entrances!
Exchanging Rotary Banners with a visiting Rotarian from Kirkland!!
Also had guests, Ricky Bermudez and Laura Steele attend letting us know about Waimanalo farming program.
We meet upstairs at Windward Ford on Tuesdays at 7:15 am | 725 Kailua Road, Kailua, HI 96734. Please park at Whole Foods and walk over to Windward Ford.
Come through the service entrance: we will be in the upstairs meeting room. Join us for a cup of coffee and see how you can get involved in your community!
Michelle Chow spoke to us about Koolau Clubhouse. Koolau Clubhouse works to decrease the stigma of mental illness by educating our community about the positive impact of having our program participants (members) be contributing members of society and to help them develop the skills necessary for community reintegration.
Mike Malaghan expertly draws on historical events during the three decades leading up to WWII to portray Japanese immigrant life in Hawaii. Picture Bride is an engaging family saga in an era that forged modern Hawaii—an era that must not be forgotten!
Picture Bride: A Novel” is an epic saga chronicling the life of Haru, a young Japanese peasant girl who comes to Hawaii as a picture bride to a Buddhist minister, as she navigates her new life in a foreign land and raises a family during the turbulent years leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Officer Regina Han-Inamine spoke about the Hawaii Police Department, statistical crimes reported, and the importance of knowing your community. It is about building community partnership which makes our cities safer.
Mahalo to all the police and their dedication to making our communities stronger!!
After receiving 15 boxes and $451 in donations from our annual School Supply drive, we delivered them evenly to Maunawili, Waimanalo, and Blanche Pope Elementary Schools. The administration at each school was very grateful for the donations and thanking Rotary for the supporting their kids. Mahalo to all those who donated and made this possible. It's great to part of a community where many people giving a little make a big difference!!
We had an incredible School Supply Drive today!!! We live in a very generous community!!! We collected 15 large boxes of school supplies and $461 in cash!!! Wow!!! The people we met today were friendly, warm, and very giving!! We will be delivering the supplies and funds to Maunawili Elementary, Waimanalo Elementry, and Blanche Pope Elementary School!!
On June 30th, the last meeting of our current Club President: Paul Verling! Paul has done an outstanding job as President and has prepared us for the next year! David presented Paul with the District award of appreciation of his hard work and efforts.
We also heard from Yayoi from Association of Skateboarding Hawaii; their outreach program to youth, clean up efforts, and positive work they are doing in the community!
- See more at: http://rotarywindwardsunrise.org/Stories/club-meeting-skate-hawaii#sthash.LyoSTnmh.dpuf
On June 30th, the last meeting of our current Club President: Paul Verling! Paul has done an outstanding job as President and has prepared us for the next year! David presented Paul with the District award of appreciation of his hard work and efforts.
We also heard from Yayoi from Association of Skateboarding Hawaii; their outreach program to youth, clean up efforts, and positive work they are doing in the community!
For our June 15th Club Meeting, we were honored to have Kanani Imai from Hospice Hawaii present to us "Your Bucket List." Helping us remember to focus on those things in life for which we live for and inspire us!! And we also discussed the important service which Hospice Hawaii gives our community, and how they have had a positive to several of our club members.
Rotary Club members across Hawaii joined together to learn about how Rotary is passionate about making a positive difference in Hawaii. Mayor Kirk Caldwell joined the celebration by speaking about the progress in our city and the importance of volunteer organizations.
The District 5000 assembly was held on 2 May 2015 at the Windward Community College. Four members from the Windward Oahu Sunrise attended and represented.
25 April 2015 was Rotarians of Work day for Rotary Clubs around the world. The Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club partnered with other clubs on Oahu to bring hope to borderline homeless families.
Ms. Maria Mesina, a Le Jardin Academy high school senior, was selected as the Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club's Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation $5,000 Scholarship Recipient.
On February 10, 2010, 5 Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club Members and a friend from the Windward Rotary Club (lunch) provided vision screenings and dictionaries for approximately 30 third graders at Blanche-Pope Elementary School.
Pictured Above: Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club President, Sam Bello, handing out a dictionary.
23 February 2015 will mark the 110th birthday of Rotary International. Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
On 31 January 2015 members from Rotary Clubs across District 5000 came together for the Boots, Jeans, & Cowboy Hats Foundation Dinner at the Oahu Country Club.
The United Nations--that is a pretty big deal. And lucky for Rotarians- we have a part of the past, present, and future of the United Nations. What does Rotary Internatioal have anything to do with the United Nations??!! First article in our club site and newsletter on the relationship of Rotary International with the United Nations. Look for the next, PRESENT, information next week!
Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary members, Save the Dates and Sign Up to help with Keiki Vision Screenings and Dictionary distribution at Maunawili Elementary School on 18 Nov, 2014 and Blanche Pope Elementary School on 25 November.
Who, what, when, where, and why of Rotary Foundation - Rotary Foundation is all about Doing Good Around the World! Don't Delay- Make it an end of year, tax deductible donation!
To celebrate "Rotary Gives Thanks" the Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise will be providing lunch to single Marines stationed on Camp Smith. These Marines are away from home, away from family, and there is no dining facility located where they live to easily get a warm meal on this special Holiday. Join us in Giving Thanks to these Marines on Tuesday, 11 November, 1100-1200, at Camp Smith.
Where are we in the fight to end polio? What have we accomplished? How can we make history together? Find out on World Polio Day.
To mark World Polio Day on 24 October, Rotary will host a live-streamed global status update on the fight to end polio. Invited guests include Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners; celebrity ambassadors, including Ziggy Marley; polio survivors, including inspirational athlete MindaDentler; and Rotary members. We can end polio now. Don’t miss this moment in history!
On 14 Oct, 2014, the Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club provided vision screenings and distributed dictionaries to 3rd graders at Waimanalo Elementary School.
The Members of the Windward Oahu Sunrise Rotary Club partnered with volunteers from the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base for the 2014 Windward School Supply Drive at Long's Drug Store in Kailua, Oahu
Congratulations go out again to Carol & Briggs Christie and all of the other members of our Club who participated in a fun and terrific Rotary community service event - - - the Rotary Rice Rally. Our Club collected more rice than any other Club in Hawaii !
A total of 3,198 pounds of rice and $256 cash were collected by the members of our Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise (Kailua) outside the Foodland Super Market in Kailua on Saturday, January 12, 2013 as donations from local shoppers who gave bags of rice in support of the Hawaii Foodbank.
Our Club came in first for the Rotary Rice Rally!!
Our president-elect, Paul Vierling, attended the Far West Presidents-Elect Training Seminar held in San Jose, California this past weekend. Photos of the event are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/75849441@N04/
What a fun and terrific Rotary community service event for our Club! More than 3000 pounds of rice were collected by the members of our Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise (Kailua) outside the Foodland Super Market in Kailua this past Saturday, January 12, 2013 as donations from local shoppers who gave bags of rice in support of the Hawaii Foodbank.
The final tally was actually 3,198 pounds of rice and $256 cash, which will be delivered to the Hawaii Foodbank by Club members, including Carol & Briggs Christie, who organized the event, and Paul Vierling, who stored all that rice before arranging for its delivery to the Hawaii Foodbank today
This effort was part of a statewide program of Rotary District 5000 to help feed needy families here in Hawaii.
The members of our Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise (Kailua) will be at the Foodland Super Market in Kailua this coming Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 9 AM to 3 PM to solicit donations of bags of rice from local shoppers to support the Hawaii Foodbank as part of a statewide effort by all of the clubs in Rotary District 5000 to collect as much as 400,000 pounds of rice to help feed needy families here in Hawaii.
The results of this statewide effort will be one of the items announced at the upcoming Rotary Globe Peace Forum, which is being held at the Hawaii Convention Center from January 25th to 27th.
The keynote speaker for that event is the pro-democracy icon and Nobel Peace laureate, Myanmar Parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi. She will be receiving the prestigious Hawaii Rotary Global Peace Award and delivering the keynote address at the Rotary Global Peace Forum in Honolulu on the evening of January 26, 2013.
Bill and Trudy attended the Rotary D5000 Conference held at Turtle Bay May 17-19, 2013. As Club President, Bill attended several special sessions, and received the 2012-2013 Club Awards on behalf of all of our Club members.
Bill got to meet the Rotary International Representative to D5000, PDG Pai-Chou TU, MD. The keynote speaker was Ramu Damodaran, Deputy Director for Partnership and Public Engagement at the United Nations. Ambassador Damodaran compared the history and work of Rotary since its founding in 1905 to that of the United Nations since 1945 and found that there are remarkable, thought-provoking similarities. We also loved the inspirational presentation by Shantell De Silva, from the Polynesian Voyaging Society, who has been a navigator on the Hokolea and now teaches voyaging. The Rotary Youth Exchange students made us appreciate how important our efforts are towards making Peace Through Service a reality around the world.
For more photos from the event, click on the "More" link below!
District Governor Phil Sammer is scheduled to address the Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise on August 6th to discuss our goals for the coming year. Among other things, DG Sammers will cover new membership outreach so as to continually grow our Rotary club so as to provide the continuity of service and leadership that makes Rotary such an effective force for good worldwide and in our local community.
DG Sammer will also discussion retention of current members. Every club member needs to have a reason to stay in the club, an assignment that demonstrates his or her importance and value to the club.
He will hightlight the many new clubs being formed today that are E-Clubs that have their bases on the internet. Their members “meet” electronically by logging onto a website and reading the current program posting. This can be done any time during the week.
Members also gather for periodic socials and service projects, and our Club has many of these. We will be letting DG Sammer know our club's goals for the coming year and taking our lead from his vision for Service Above Self.
District Governor Phil Sammer to speak at our breakfast meeting 08/06/13
WOW!!! We had a great turnout at our last Rotary Club of Windward Oahu Sunrise (Kailua) Membership Pau Hana barbecue at the Kalama Beach Club last Friday, April 26th from 5:30 to 7: 30 PM.Plenty of good food and fun and new friends!
We enjoy getting together and having family, friends and new friends learn about the amazing opportunities available for community service as a member of Rotary. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful pupus and great conversation!
On February 15, 2013, our Club held another "Rotary Membership Pau Hana" from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Kalama Beach Club, 280 North Kalaheo Avenue, Kailua. We had a really good turnout, and were able to share Rotary fellowship with several potential new members. Plus, the food was great! Click on the link to the right (2/15 Pau Hana) for a slideshow of great pix by our Club photographer, Jerome Ching.
The previous Tuesday morning, February 12th, our Club conducted another Keiki Vision for the Waimanalo Elementary School third grade class. We got some lovely leis from the kids, and they got to have their eyes tested, and each child was provided with his or her own individual dictionary as a gift from our Club. Check out the pictures at the 2/12 Keiki Vision link to the right.
Our Club is holding a "Rotary Membership Pau Hana" THIS EVENING -- Friday, February 15th, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Kalama Beach Club, 280 North Kalaheo Avenue, Kailua. You are cordially invited to join us to learn about the amazing opportunities available through Rotary membership. Another fun barbecue is in store! We’ll provide food, drink, fellowship and fun! All you need to bring is a desire to improve our community. Significant others and kids of potential members are more than welcome to come, too!
On February 5th, 2013, Kim Bartenstein, Hawaii Foodbank Food Drive Manager, visited our meeting to received a donation of $256.00 for the Hawaii Foodbank that our club had collected from local shoppers outside of Foodland Kailua during our recent Rotary Rice Rally.
We are a small club, but last January 12th, with Carol and Briggs Christie chairing the effort, we succeeded in collecting more rice than any other local Rotary Club - - a final grand total of 3,290 pounds of rice!
Our Kailua Rotary members are staying connected together during occasional in-person social events at the beautiful Kailua Beach Park pavilion! These casual "come as you are" meetings let us stay active and catch up with one another if a little more social involvement is needed than our projects and Zoom meetings! Our most recent February 7th meet up was a great chance to welcome new and potential members in person to our club.
We understand it's disappointing that the Rotary International Convention was unable to go forward as planned in Honolulu on Saturday, June 6. Let's connect for good by instead meeting at Kalama Beach Park on that day from 8:00 am-10:00 am and gathering waste and micro-plastics off our beautiful beaches. This project is family-friendly, open to all, and a great way to get some fresh air and exercise! Coffee will be provided, so gather early for the best parking and a cup of motivation.
Aloha Rotarians and Friends,
In good news, take a look at this card we received for our support of the 
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Windward Sunrise Rotarians have now officially contributed to the 
The second phase of the 
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Supporting the beach clean-up with the Hawaii Kai Rotary Club!! Great way to give back to the Aina!.jpg)
On February 5th, 2013, 
