July 1 starts a new Rotary year. The theme this year is "Create Hope in the World", chosen by Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, who is from the Rotary Club of Queensferry in Scotland. The initiatives this year are 1) Prioritizing mental health, 2) Peacebuilding through virtual exchanges, 3) Empowering girls.
R. Gordon R. McInally was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. McInally was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Gordon joined Rotary in 1984 at age 26.
The District 5000's new governor is Mark Merriam, Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu. Shortly after graduating from the University of Hawaii, and in his first professional job, he was invited to a Rotary meeting. 40 years later he has served in many Rotary leadership roles, including Chief of Staff, Assistant Governor, International Service project chair and RYLA chair. Mark was part of the organizing committee and charter member of the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu, where he served as club president in 1994-95. Mark is President of AlohaGraphics, a print shop in Honolulu. With a focus on color digital printing, the shop recently started its 27th year. In addition to Rotary, Mark has been active in Scouting programs since elementary school days in Kailua. As a Scoutmaster, he helped 50 young men earn the rank of Eagle Scout. He received the BSA Silver Beaver Award and is a recipient of the Cliff Dochterman Award.
Our new Club President is Glen Suzuki. He has been a member since 2018 and is a Property Manager with Hawaiian Properties, a company that has been in business for 93 years. Glen loves to travel, run marathons, was president of a Toastmasters club and has some fetish with shoes (?).
Aloha members and friends, here are the updates on upcoming meetings and events!
Dark on July 14 due to our Installation Banquet on Saturday, July 15th, 5:30pm at 3660 on the Rise. President-Elect Glen Suzuki and our new board will be installed and Terry Lo and his board will be celebrating their accomplishments for the 2022-2023 Rotary year. Please Venmo Glenn Wachi $75 or pay at the door. Parking fee (in cash)$4.00.
At the last Assembly, we agreed to meet in-person twice a month. The second Friday will be at Simply Sichuan at the Chinese Cultural Plaza, 2nd floor private room and then on the 4th Friday, it will hopefully be at the Pacific Club (details forthcoming and starting August or September). The 5th Friday, if any, will be a pau hana social. Please note the dates and locations on our website and bulletins for information. In between, meetings will be on Zoom. Same Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81784510005?pwd=UTlqNDZtUGJuSXQvOTBETjM2OGgydz09Meeting ID: 817 8451 0005, Passcode: 253649
Looking forward to seeing you both in person and via Zoom,
Our next In person meeting is set on July 28 at Simply Sichuan at the Chinese Cultural Plaza, 2nd fl private room.
Update on Kyoto Student Exchange Youth visitation this summer month of the August. After being paused for 3 years, finally, we can resume the program. During the Kyoto 65th Anniversary Celebration in Mar 2023, they are really excited about the program and will send students to Honolulu this summer from August 4 through August 13. They will send 2 girls over. A sign up sheet for members' participation on the tours, and meals sent out via email to all on June 6. Please sign up to help hosting the girls in lunch, dinner, activities, your support is highly appreciated. They will arrive on Aug 4, All Nippon Air NH186 at 10:30 am. Depart on Aug 13, on NH183 at 11:30 am. Thank you to the members Derek Tenn, Grace Fujiyoshi, Roland Chun, Kevin Sakamoto, to host the lodging for the girls.
Plan to join the Aug 5 Saturday, welcome picnic event at Magic Island for the 2 visiting students. Derek Tenn is setting up this event and more details are coming.
Farewell party for the Kyoto Students are schedule on Aug 11 Friday, at Koolani Condo, party room, thank you to Doug and Caroline who made the reservation for this event.
I was able to visit the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island West on July 7, noon at Banker's Club Hong Kong, that's also their first meeting for the 2023-23 President Brian Lee. They announced and invited us to attend their 70th Anniversary on April 12 , 2024. An official invitation will send to us when ready. From left to right Tony and Colleen, Shirley and Charles who all visited Honolulu in 2017, 65th Anniversary.
Attached photo of our long time friend Richard Ho of Roland Chun's Iolani School classmate.
On my left is Steven Ho, and Charles Cheng.
From left to right, Brian Lee Hong Kong Island West 2023-24 President, Motohiro Yamane Shanghai Rotary Club, Ruby Chang, PP of Beijing Rotary Club, Steven Ho.
Richard Ho of Roland Chun's Iolani School classmate. 
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