We've got some exciting news to share about our recent adventure at the Rotary District 5000 Conference 2023. From May 18th to May 21st, our club joined forces with fellow Rotarians at the stunning Grand Naniloa Hotel in beautiful Hilo, Hawaii. Five members from our club attended. It was a time to reflect on our achievements, find inspiration, and have a blast! The outgoing presidents, including our own Kecia King Sharpe, were all introduced and thanked for their service.
Under the leadership of our outgoing District Governor, Randy Hart, the conference provided an awesome opportunity for clubs from all around the district to show off their accomplishments and share ideas. Governor Hart has been a guiding light throughout the past year, helping us navigate through challenges and inspiring us to keep serving with passion.
And let's not forget our incoming District Governor, Mark Merriam! He brought his unique vision to the table, emphasizing the power of unity, innovation, and community engagement. His words resonated with all of us, igniting a fire within and motivating us to take on new challenges together. Mark introduced the incoming club presidents for the 2023-2024 year.
We were honored to have PDG Beverly Reed, the Rotary International President Jennifer Jones’s Representative, grace our conference as a speaker. Her expertise and insights were truly invaluable, reminding us of the impact we can make as part of the global Rotary community.
The conference had other fantastic speakers who wowed us with their wisdom. We had the privilege of hearing from Duane Kurisu, a legendary business leader and philanthropist, interviewed on stage by PDG Linda Coble. He blew us away with his insights on collaboration in our homes and lives. It was a powerful reminder of the incredible impact we can make when we embrace the spirit of community.
Big Island Mayor and Rotarian Mitch Ross also took the stage, reminding us of the importance of working hand in hand with local government to create meaningful change. We were truly inspired by his dedication and commitment to our shared goals.
And how could we forget our speaker Rotarian Hiroichi Nago, the president of EM Hawaii? He shared his personal journey and how Rotary has enhanced his life and the helps him change the lives of those he serves. But it wasn't all serious business at the conference! Using EM Hawaii’s technology, we had a blast at a genki ball throwing event into the Queen Liliuokalani Park pond. Laughter, camaraderie, and a little friendly competition filled the air as we celebrated the spirit of Rotary in the most joyful way.
We’re incredibly proud of our club's resilience and dedication to the goals of Rotary throughout this past year. We faced challenges head-on, never giving up on our mission to make a positive impact in East Honolulu and beyond.
A huge shout-out goes to all the amazing participants, speakers, and volunteers who made the Rotary District Conference 2023 a roaring success. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to service were truly infectious!