I am writing to ask for your support and compassion in reaching out to our sister Club Hong KongIsland West Rotary, regarding a devastating fire disaster that recently occurred there. The fire destroyed seven 31-story high-rise residential buildings, displacing approximately 2,000 families and resulting in 350+ casualties. Many residents lost their homes, lives and all of their belongings.
Please note that at this time, the West Honolulu Rotary Club has lost its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and therefore any donations made through our club would not be tax-deductible. Despite this limitation, we are hopeful that our shared commitment to humanitarian service and international fellowship will inspire voluntary support.
Supporting this relief effort personally if you are able, and send your donation to treasurer Chrysti Chun, pay to West Honolulu Rotary, and once we collected the checks, we will buy a cashiers check to send to HKIWR. I can bring the check to Hong Kong during my January 3 visit.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Rotary and for considering this request during such a difficult time for our fellow Sister Club members abroad.
With gratitude and Rotary fellowship,
Elvira Lo International Service Chair, Hong
Liaison for Hong Kong Island West Rotary Club West Honolulu Rotary Club
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.
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>
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
Please come and join our WHR Club Annual Membership Meeting this Friday.
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 HEREor 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