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.