Gyotaku Restaurant at Niu Valley, adorned with vases filled with cheerful flowers and

“Happy 50th Anniversary” signs courtesy of Lion Yolisa Ishibashi and fortune cookies donated by

CIS Barbara Ohta, served as the venue for Hawaii Kai Lions 50th Anniversary Celebration on

April 22, 2023. Prior to the official start of the event, Lions, CISs, and guests mingled and visited

with each other as old friends do.

Joining in the festivities were two of our charter members, Lion Rick Yee and Lion

Bunny Lee along with honored guests DG Gary Nip and CIS Joyce Nip. The formal program

was kicked off by co-emcees Lions Ellsworth Fujii and Yolisa, with Lion Bunny leading us in

song, Lion David Iwana with the Flag pledge, Lion Stanley Ito with the Lion pledge, and Lion

Roger Ede with the invocation. Lion Bunny regaled the 55 Lions, CISs, and guests with a short

history of our club. Everyone enjoyed the delicious bento and for dessert, ice cream and cake

which was ceremoniously cut by Lions Bunny and Rick. Everyone also had cookies, baked by

CIS Joyce, to take home to enjoy later.

The Club was honored to receive congratulatory messages from Governor Josh Green,

Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and Nagoya Joto Lions Club. Nagoya Joto Lions also sent a gift of $500

in recognition of our anniversary. DG Gary gave a rousing speech and handed out Maika’i coins

to Lions PDG Roy Aoki, Roger Ede, and Frances Lum. Leo President Danielle Molina-Pherigo

shared her thoughts about how rewarding it is to do community service as a Leo. Lion Frances

refused to say aloha in her outgoing president’s message since she has two more months left in

her term, but did present the Lion of the Year award to Lion Ells. Lion Frances also gave 50th

Anniversary pins to everyone who wanted one along with 1993 Pancake Breakfast POGs that

CIS Lyn Yee kept for 20 years. (If you want a pin, please contact Lion Frances.) Lion Sandy

Gomes then recognized Lion PDG Roy as this year’s Melvin Jones Fellow. $1,000 will be

donated to LCIF in his name.

The incoming officers who were present, Lions Yolisa (President), Ells (First VP),

Kendrick Chang (Second VP and Marketing Communication Chair), Silvia Ardila (Third VP),

Cynthia Chun (Secretary), Jeanne Alices (Treasurer), Marja Leivo (Tail Twister), Tom Ono

(Lion Tamer), Allen Umeda (Membership Chair), Frances (Program Coordinator), and Alvin

Hayashibara (Service Chair), were installed by DG Gary. Ever clever, DG Gary came up with

commercials appropriate to the position. For example, for incoming president: Enjoy the go

because your year will be over before you know it (inspired by Charmin); to the vice-presidents:

from Depends, we got you covered; and to the tail twister: from Capitol One, what’s in your

wallet?

Incoming President Lion Yolisa explained that she said yes to being president because of

all the good people in the club and gave away the centerpieces to the Lion at the table who has

been a Lion the longest. The event was wrapped up with everyone holding hands and singing

Hawaii Aloha, accompanied by Lion David on ukulele. The celebration was filled with fun and

fellowship, thanks to the Charter celebration chair Lions Kazuaki Nakano, and committee

members Appan Subramanian, Alvin, David, Ells, and Yolisa!