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Hong Kong Fire Disaster 
Dear Fellow Rotarians,

I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to the sister club Hong Kong Island West fire relief fund. Your support are deeply appreciated, despite your donation is not tax deductible due to WHRF lost the non-profit status.

Unfortunately the official donation deadline has passed.  Your kindness and commitment to helping others is what truly makes a difference, therefore President Cleigh and myself decided to refund such donation to the individual.  Please check with Chrysti, the club treasurer.

We are grateful to have such compassionate individuals like you in our Rotary family.

With gratitude and Rotary fellowship,
 
Elvira Lo
International Service Chair, Hong
Liaison for Hong Kong Island West Rotary Club
West Honolulu Rotary Club
HRYF Scholarship Applications 
Aloha West Honolulu Rotary Club members. 
I am representing our club as the HRYF Scholarship representative.  All high school students applying for the HRYF scholarship need to submit their application and recommendation forms by 2/1/26.  Interviews of these applicants will then need to be completed by 2/20/26.  Please let me know if you are interested in joining me on the scholarship committee. I am looking for 3 volunteers.  You can email me at jventura@fhb.com
Mahalo!
Jeff Ventura
 
The Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation (HRYF), was founded by Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan during his year as the Rotary’s District Governor in Hawaii, 1976-1977.  Its main objective is to provide scholarships for Hawaii youth to further their education after high school. Scholarship funds are provided from Rotarians, investments, gifts, individual donors, and interest from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Grant. Each participating Hawaii District 5000 Rotary Club selects a deserving high school student to receive a scholarship to a 4-year college or university in Hawaii or on the U.S. Mainland to earn a baccalaureate degree. Scholarship Awards:  For the 2025-2026 year, each participating Rotary Club will select a student to receive a $5,000 or $2,500 HRYF scholarship. From those students selected by the Rotary Clubs, an HRYF committee then selects one student attending a mainland university to receive a $10,000 Maurice J. Sullivan scholarship and another student attending a university in Hawaii to receive the $10,000 Joanna L. Sullivan scholarship. These two scholarships will be awarded instead of the $5,000 awarded by the individual Club.
 
Applications can be found on the HRYF website: https://www.hawaiirotaryyouthfoundation.org/sitepage/apply-now

 

April 24, 2026 DOE Honolulu School District speech Festival
  Like in years past, WHR members have generously given of their time to serve as volunteer judges for the annual DOE Honolulu School District noncompetitive speech festival. Kids in grades 3 to 5 participate in various categories such as choral reading, poetry, interpretative reading, etc. This spring event will be held on Saturday, April 25, McKinley High, 7A (breakfast/instructions) to 10:30 followed by an awards ceremony.
Let Grace Fujiyoshi know if you are able to judge this event. Thank you for help.
    <fujiyoshi.grace@gmail.com>
 
 
Congratulation to 2026 President and Board
Congratulation to WHR 2026-27 elected President and board
President                                 Kevin Sakamoto
President Elect 27-28              Brittany Andaniya
President Elect – 28-29           TBD
Secretary                                 Aimee Curre
Treasurer                                 Chrysti Chun
Immediate Past President       Cleigh Pang
Club Service                            Stan Wong, Mike Nagamine
Community Service                 Richard Ing
Youth Service                          Mike Kato
International Service               Elvira Lo
Vocational Service                  Kristi Hirota-Schmidt
Sergeant-at Arms                    Derek Tenn
 
Non-Voting Board Chairs
David Malo                              Pending
Scholarship                             Jeff Ventura
Membership                            Janel Cozzens
Pali View                                 Elvira Lo
Youth Exchange                      Terry Lo
Club Learning Facilitator         Naomi Masuno
RI Convention in Taipei 2026 Invitation

2026 Rotary International Convention will take place in Taipei Taiwan, June 13-17, 2026.  See link below for more information.   https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/about

 

 

Upcoming Events
DARK for Christmas
Dec 26, 2025
 
DARK for New Years- no lunch meeting
Jan 02, 2026
 
Vocational Speaker
The Edge
Jan 09, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Speaker - Suzie Chun Oakland, Lanakila Senior Cent
The Edge
Jan 16, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Speaker Don Dietz, Aloha Senior 411
The Edge
Jan 23, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Speaker Megan McCorns, Seagull Schools
The Edge
Jan 30, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Vocational Speaker
The Edge
Feb 06, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Chinese New Year Celebration
Jade Dynasty
Feb 13, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
View entire list
Rotary Special Dates
Member Birthdays
Melissa Pang
December 7
 
Jeff Pang
December 15
 
Dennis Potts
December 17
 
Anniversaries
Wesley Fong
Linda
December 9
 
Join Date
Valerie Schmidt
December 1, 1997
28 years
 
Wesley Fong
December 1, 1975
50 years
 
Mark Chun
December 3, 2012
13 years
 
Dennis Potts
December 6, 2001
24 years
 
Kenneth Lee
December 31, 2009
16 years
 
Stories
Announcements 
Our next regular Friday meeting is January 9, 2026.
 
Dec 26, and Jan 2, 2026 are both dark due to Christmas and New Year.  Wishing you all have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

Regular meeting location and time, 

Click here to sign up for our club activities: (Bookmark or add to favorites this link for easy access)

Our regular meetings are held at The Edge at 31 North Pauahi. We need a head count by Tuesday each week before the meeting, please sign up on the Google form CLICK HERE or via the emailed invite. Address : 31 North Pauahi Street, between Nuuanu and Smith, private room the the back, parking at Municipal lot at 1-35 N Beretania St.  Payment by credit card only. If you didn't sign up, please join us and get your food upfront in the restaurant.
West Honolulu Sign Up sheet
Friday regular meetings Zoom link: