The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay: Meeting Notes – August 5, 2026
Call to Order
President Jan Haraguichi-Abundo called the hybrid meeting to order at 7:00. Twenty-one of the fifty four members of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay were in attendance.
Opening Activities
The meeting opened with Victoria Adam leading the Pledge. Anita Cunningham shared an inspirational message. It's perfectly okay if the only exercise you get today is flipping the pages of a book or stirring your tea and smiling with friends. Wellbeing means your WHOLE body. Make sure your soul is getting as much exercise as your glutes.
Trivia, Joke, Japanese and Spanish Word of the Day, Guests
Alan was absent so no trivia today.
Why did the marathoner decide to give up racing? It gave him the Runs!
Itadakimasu, I humbly accept this food, said before eating it. Oishii-delicious said after eating it.
Delicious Rico /Rica
Guests, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions, Special Recognition
- Birthdays: Yu Yuk Pearring
- Anniversaries: Jan Haraguchi & John, Janell & Bruce Huamoo, Bryan & Lori Ann Lindsey
- Inductions: Lorraine Davis, Kevin Hopkins
Guests: Wendy Bothelo-Cortez
Club Announcements & Community Service Opportunities
President Jan made the following announcements.
- HRYF, Richard Cunningham is attending the 50th Anniversary celebration of HRYF on Sept. 10th in Honolulu. Tickets are $150 . Please attend if you can.
- Virginia Juettner announced that the literacy projects are ready to go now that school is back in session. Reading to students will begin at the end of August or the beginning of September. Birthday Books will be held at noon on Wednesdays at Waikea Elementary School.
- Club Foundation organization is continuing. The Board of Directors next meeting will be on Aug. 13th at 2 pm at the Bank of Hawaii.
- Oktoberfest, 2026 planning is ongoing. Doors will open for sponsors at 4:30 pm and general admission will be at 5:30 pm. The website is active and taking reservations. A volunteer is needed to run the silent auction. Whoever the worthy volunteer is gets to decide how to run the auction! See Steven Sylvester or James Tyrel for more information.
- Food Basket is looking for volunteers to pack Kapuna Boxes today. See Janell for more information.
- District 5000 Conference is coming up in Honolulu. The conference is looking for sanitation kits for veterans. The Interact Club will be approached to assemble the kits.
- Pau Hana social is on August 19th at the Big Island Meadery from 4:30-6:30. Leave early to beat the traffic if you are able. James Tyrel sent out a members’ survey. If you have not done so, please complete the survey and return to James so that our socials meet your expectations.
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sept. 19th. We will have an information table at the event.
Happy Dollars
$70 - Mary Begier - Thank you to the 12 Rotarian's + 2 who staffed the Volcano's Ohi'a Lehua Run water station on Sat. 7/25/26. Deb Beaver and her partner Dean joined us.
$20 - Patrick Bodell - Survived heat wave, record-setting-poor-air-quality and explosive diarrhea! Met Fanny's daughter in Chicago and visited my sister in Michigan.
$20 - David DeLuz, Jr. - Enjoyed his travel in Hokkaido, Japan.
$20 - Kumiko Usuda - We, The Mauna Kea Observatories, will hold the 3rd annual Tanabata Block Party in Hilo, on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, 4pm-9pm, at North A'ohoku Place, with more participants and sponsors.
$20 - Tom Witthans - One-month of touring a Pickle Ball Tour on the West Coast, traveling in his RV.
$10 - Virginia Juettner - Happy to attend the Rotary Club of South Hilo's - Hilo Huli Luau, with great food, company and music.
$10 - Art Taniguchi - Rotarian's participation in the Annual Peace Memorial Service. District Governor Benson Medina and past District Governor. Nancy Cabral and Rotary presidents of Hilo Rotary clubs attended.
$10 - Lisa L. Williams - I had a fantastic time in Canada with my family.
$5 - Richard Cunningham - Next week he flies to London to see their granddaughter, then to France for grape harvest and babysitting.
$2 - Anita Cunningham - Did not take our youngest son, shopping for school clothes this year, as, "he preferred to shop alone."
Guest Speaker was Gianna Consalvo with the Rotary Fellowship Staff from Evanston, IL via Zoom. The history of Rotary Fellowship almost started in 1988, but RI was a little busy at that time to start a new program. It was officially adopted in 1993. Rotary Fellowships international groups are united through a common interest. They range from developing safe water systems to appreciating good spirits and everything in between. To form a RI Fellowship, you need at least 25 prospective members in five different countries and at least three prospective board of directors from two different countries who share your interest. Once you have these, you can apply to RI for recognition after they accept your application which will include a statement that clearly states the group’s purpose, proposed by laws using a standard template and the proposed officers for the group.
You are now one of 120+ RI Fellowship groups located in 149 countries. You can be a recreational or professional fellowship group . You may choose to have fun or get involved in supporting the seven pillars of RI or a little of both. Former RI President Cliff Docherman used say that doing the work of Rotary requires some time to unwind. Why not have a good beer and help eradicate polio.
Door Prize Winner Patrick Bodell—a nice picture of President Grant
Closing Announcements
- The District 5000 Conference is August 21–23 in Honolulu.
- Travel to Japan to visit our sister club will take place in May 2027.
- RI World Convention in Barcelona in June 2027.
- Jan needs photos of Steve and Chester for the Celebration of Life at D5000 Conference
- Check your emails and the club website, www.hilobayrotary.com, for news and updates
- Still looking for a Sargeant at Arms
Four-Way Test: Anita Cunningham
Door Prizes and Inspirations for Aug & Sept
JoB. Aug 12
Dark Pau Han Social ug 19
Tim H or Kevin R Aug 26
Bryan Lindsey Sept 2
Janell Juamoo Sept 9
Kathleen Rowden Sept 16
Hirona Sylvester Sept 23
You can’t be a door prize winner without door prizes. Patrick Bodell is looking for volunteers for door prizes and inspiration. His calendar needs additional names and commitments.
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for the 26th Annual Hilo Bay Oktoberfest!
Saturday, October 3, 2026: 5:30pm - 8:30pm at Sangha Hall in Hilo
Authentic German Food • Beer & Wine • Refreshments
Live Entertainment • Silent & Live Auctions • Costume Contest, Games and More!
Tickets starting at $75.00!
