President Kelli Chun Takes the Lead!

With deep gratitude and humility, my heart is full of excitement as I accept the honor of serving as President of the Rotary Club of East Honolulu, District 5000 for 2025-2026.

 

This year, I will focus on the three C’s:

Connection; reconnecting with each orher, our purpose, and our partners. This will deepen our fellowship and invite new members into our ‘ohana.

Community; continuing our service with heart and innovation, listening closely to the needs in our community and stepping forward where we’re needed the most.

Continuity; honoring the traditions and successes of our past leaders while welcoming fresh ideas that will guide us to a vibrant future!

 

I always believe in Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self” - because for me, it’s a way of life. We live it with spirit, compassion and foremost Aloha.🤙🏼 remember…let’s

 

“UNITE FOR GOOD.”

 

President Kelli

About Our Club

The Rotary Club of East Honolulu is a dynamic community organization dedicated to service and fellowship. As part of Rotary International, members of the East Honolulu Club are committed to the Rotary motto,
"Service Above Self"
We engage in various service projects, educational initiatives, and international humanitarian efforts. Our local activities range from providing scholarships for local high school students, assisting schools such as Palolo Elementary, addressing food insecurity by volunteering with organizations such as Aloha Harvest, improving health through our partnerships with HUGS and the Aloha Diaper Bank, and working on environmental clean-up projects and sustainability.
The club provides a platform for personal growth, networking, and community engagement. 
Happenings with Our Club!
With deep gratitude and humility, my heart is full of excitement as I accept the honor of serving as President of the Rotary Club of East Honolulu, District 5000.
 
This year, I will focus on the three C’s:
Connection; reconnecting with each orher, our purpose, and our partners. This will deepen our fellowship and invite new members into our ‘ohana.
Community; continuing our service with heart and innovation, listening closely to the needs in our community and stepping forward where we’re needed the most.
Continuity; honoring the traditions and successes of our past leaders while welcoming fresh ideas that will guide us to a vibrant future!
 
I always believe in Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self” - because for me, it’s a way of life. We live it with spirit, compassion and foremost Aloha.🤙🏼 remember…let’s “UNITE FOR GOOD.”
 
 
 

The Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation (HRYF) is a cornerstone of our Rotary mission, dedicated to supporting Hawaii’s youth through higher education scholarships. Since its inception, HRYF has been instrumental in helping students across the islands achieve their academic dreams, empowering them to become future leaders and contributors to our community.

This year, our club is committed to raising the necessary funds to provide a $5,000 scholarship for a deserving student. To meet this goal, we need every member’s support. With a per capita contribution of just $50 per member, we can reach our target. Currently, we are $350 short, and your generosity can help us bridge that gap.

Supporting HRYF is more than just a donation—it’s an investment in the next generation. These scholarships not only ease the financial burden of higher education but also inspire students to give back to their communities, embodying the Rotary value of “Service Above Self.”

Let’s come together to ensure our club meets this meaningful goal. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you haven’t yet donated, please consider doing so today. Together, we can make a lasting impact on a student’s future!

 
 
 

Thanks to the leadership and dedication of Dailyn Yanagida, our Kalani High School Interact Club is active and thriving again! The students have been holding regular meetings, volunteering for events like the Honolulu Marathon, and gearing up to participate in many more service projects.

We’re incredibly proud to support this amazing group of future leaders. Let’s continue to encourage and celebrate their commitment to service above self!

Our January bulletin opens with a heartwarming event: the exchange of omiyage with Yamamoto-san from the Kyoto Rotary Club. Club Members Alicia Pranica and her son, Miki May, and President Lillian Shaw ensured smooth transportation for Mr. Yamamoto and his large family between the hotel and California Pizza Kitchen, where all enjoyed delightful fellowship. Approximately 20 guests, including six toddlers, shared a lively evening of laughter and stories. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event memorable!

Our December 10th general meeting at Ala Moana Assaggio’s was a memorable evening and marked our last in-person meeting for the near future as we reflect on the direction and future of our club.

The evening included the induction of our newest member, Susan Chong Wong, a legal professional whose expertise and passion for service make her a valuable addition to our Rotary family.

We were also honored to host Assistant District Governor (ADG) Ryan Kawamoto as our guest speaker. Ryan is an award-winning television and film director known for his remarkable storytelling. Represented by Kinetic Productions since 2002, he has directed notable advertising campaigns featuring Marcus Mariota for First Hawaiian Bank and Island Insurance, as well as projects for Central Pacific Bank, Kaiser Permanente, and Hawaiian Telcom.

Ryan’s contributions extend beyond advertising. In 2012, he was named the American Advertising Federation Hawaii "Advertising Man of the Year." He has directed several feature films, including the Asian American comedy "Hang Loose" and the acclaimed documentaries "The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawai’i" and "Voices Behind Barbed Wire," the latter receiving an Achievement in Interpretive Award in 2020 from the Hawaiʻi Historic Foundation.

In addition to his professional achievements, Ryan mentors the next generation of storytellers through PBS Hawaiʻi’s Hiki No student news program. We were inspired by his insights and his commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement.

As we navigate the future of our club, this meeting served as a moment to reflect on our mission and strengthen our fellowship. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making it a special evening.


 

Our Rotary Christmas Party was an intimate and heartwarming evening, bringing together 30 Rotarians, family, and friends to celebrate the holiday season with fellowship and good cheer. The highlight of the evening was a Swedish-inspired feast, lovingly prepared by Frida and her host families, featuring delicious Scandinavian appetizers, Swedish meatballs, creamy mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and a decadent chocolate cake to finish.

The festive atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and the joy of giving. Most importantly, the event raised over $1,000 to support Frida’s upcoming exchange trip, ensuring she will carry cherished memories of her time in Hawaii.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and made this gathering such a delightful success. Your kindness and generosity truly embody the spirit of Rotary!

Welcome to the Rotary Club of East Honolulu, Dr. Jane Ferrante and Mrs. Claudia Zhang! Our club is honored to introduce two remarkable women whose expertise and passion will undoubtedly enrich our Rotary family.
 
Dr. Jane Ferrante, an accomplished naturopathic physician, brings a holistic approach to health and wellness, blending natural medicine with evidence-based practices. Her dedication to empowering patients to achieve their best health aligns perfectly with Rotary’s mission of service above self. We look forward to her insights on integrative health and the ways she’ll inspire us to foster well-being within our community.
 
Joining us as well is Mrs. Claudia Zhang, a talented massage therapist whose work emphasizes healing and relaxation. Claudia's ability to relieve stress and restore balance is truly a gift, and we are eager to learn from her skills in promoting mental and physical wellness. Her dedication to improving quality of life through therapeutic touch reflects the compassion and service-minded spirit that Rotary cherishes.
Together, Dr. Ferrante and Mrs. Zhang embody the values we hold dear, and their unique talents will help strengthen our commitment to making a difference. We warmly welcome them both and look forward to sharing many meaningful Rotary moments together.
 
 
 
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to our Rotarian and Friends of Rotary Volunteers!  The Rotary Club of East Honolulu had a blast volunteering at the 2024 Annual Aina Haina Library Book Sale! We helped with selling in the media area and cleaning up, making lots of new friends and sharing plenty of smiles along the way!
 
Our club members spent the weekend arranging CDs DVDs LPs and other media,  and helping out at the sales table. We all enjoyed chatting with visitors and helping them find great movies! After the sale, we rolled up our sleeves and cleaned up the place, leaving it nice and tidy.
 
This event helped raise $5700 for the library and brought people together to celebrate reading! Our club was thrilled to lend a hand and be a part of strengthening our community bonds.
 
Rotary:  Making friends and helping in the community!
 
Volunteer List!  Rotary Members:  Dailyn Yanagida, John Steelquist, Kelli Chun, Laura Steelquist, Cheryl Holdcroft, Mae Mendelson, Pat Yee, Lauren Holdcroft, Maria Balaji, Lillian Shaw,  Kecia Sharp, Claudia Zhang and Jim Morris.   Friends of Rotary:  John Strandberg, Frida Paulsson, Naiya Balaji and the Kalani High School Boys Baseball Team.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yesterday, the Rotary Club of East Honolulu warmly welcomed Frida Paulsson from Malmö, Sweden. Frida will be spending the academic year at Kalani High School. Join us in welcoming her - and watch for her upcoming presentation at a club meeting. We're excited to support her journey and cultural exchange, fostering global understanding and friendship.

Welcome to the Rotary Club of East Honolulu

East Honolulu

Celebrating 65 years of Service! 

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 5:30 PM
Assaggio’s
Ala Moana Mall - Lower Level
Honolulu,
United States of America
2nd and 4th Tuesdays
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Lillian Shaw
    July 11
Join Date:
  • Roxy Kiessling
    July 1, 2019
    6 years
  • Jack Hinton
    July 20, 1976
    49 years
  • Jim Morris
    July 25, 2004
    21 years
  • Kecia Sharpe
    July 29, 2019
    6 years
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    Speakers
    Past Speakers
    Lakecia Sharpe
    Jun 10, 2025 5:30 PM
    Mark Masuno
    May 13, 2025
    Jovita Davis
    Apr 08, 2025

    July 2025

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    Club Executives & Directors
    President
    Immediate Past President
    Treasurer
    Secretary
    Community Service
    Membership
    Rotary Foundation
    Youth Services
    International Service
    Vocational Service
    Executive Secretary/Director
    International Liaison for Japan Sister Clubs
    OtherPublic Relations/Motivational
    IT Director