Weekly Newsletter 08/16/2026

The Rotary Club of Hilo Bay: Meeting Notes – August 12, 2026

Call to Order

President Jan Haraguichi-Abundo called the hybrid meeting to order at 7:00. Nineteen 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. JoB shared  an inspirational message that was a family favorite . “God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway. The good fortune to run int the ones I do. And the eyesight to tell difference. Amen.”. 

 

Trivia, Joke, Japanese and Spanish Word of the Day, Guests

Alan was back and with a challenging question. “How many bees does it take to make a teaspoon of honey? It takes 12 bees 20,000 trips to make a teaspoon of honey.”

Why do the French eat snails? They do not like fast food.

Sayonara, goodbye or Mate Ne, less formal.

Adios, goodbye or Chao!, less formal.

Guests, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Inductions, Special Recognition

Birthdays: None

Anniversaries: Tom & Mary Witthans

Inductions: Luana Gibson

Guests: Guests: Noah Tyrin 

 

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. Kim Keahiolalo postponed the upcoming meeting of The Board of Directors  until they receive the letter of incorporation from the State 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. You can access it from www.hilobayrotary.com. A committee was formed to run the Silent Auction. See Steven Sylvester or James Tyrel for more information.
  • Food Basket is looking for volunteers to pack Kapuna Boxes.  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 assemble the hygiene kits for veterans to be distributed at the D 5000 conference. The supplies were ordered and the Interactors are ready to put them together.
  • 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🙂

 

 

Guest Speaker  was Hilo Bay Rotarian Virginia Juettner speaking on literacy. More specifically why do we read aloud to young children. Reading aloud:

  1. Prompts children to hear spoken patterns.
  2. Stimulates the use of their ears to guide eyes in reading.
  3. Assists children in learning how language works.
  4. Shows how language works.
  5. Develops the reading vocabulary.
  6. Expands a child’s linguistic repertoire.
  7. Improves comprehension.
  8. Inspires confidence and expectations of patterns and clues.
  9. Is fun for the children and the adults.

  10. Develops lifelong readers.

     

Door Prize Winner: Bryan Lindsey is going to Merriman’s with a $50 gift certificate.

 

Final Reminders

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.

Check your emails and the club website, www.hilobayrotary.com, for news and updates

Still looking for a Sargeant at Arms

 

Four-Way Test:  Kevin Reardon

 

Door Prizes and Inspirations for  Aug & Sept

Dark Pau Han Social        Aug 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!