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. https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/about
Our Sister Club Taipei West is invitation us to a welcome dinner on June 15, and a golf outing on June 17, please RSVP to Terry Lo our Taipei Sister Club liaison.
January 16, 2026 Speaker Retired State Senator Susie Chun Oakland
Susie served in the Hawaii State Legislature for 26 years, 6 years in the House of Representatives and 20 years in the State Senate. She represented Dowsett Highlands, Nuuanu, Lower Tantalus, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Downtown, Chinatown, Iwilei, Honolulu Harbor, Liliha, Palama, Alewa Heights, Kaka'ako, half of Kalihi Valley, Sand Island, Mokauea Island, and the Kalihi Business District.
Susie currently serves as the Program Director of the largest senior center in Hawaii, Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center, in Liliha.
She continues to serve on numerous non-profit boards of directors working on affordable housing, child well-being, culture and arts, immigrant and refugee, persons with disabilities, education, and sustainability and environment protection issues.
Susie is a proud graduate of McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, earning degrees in Communications and Psychology.
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