January 2018 President’s Message
Aloha Lions,
December is over and as 2017 has come to an end, I’d like to reflect back on the year.
We welcomed five new Lions in 2017. Lions Tom Haia, Marlene Arnett, Ellsworth Fujii, Nancy Rocheleau, and Rylen Yamamoto joined our ranks. We are very thankful to them as well as their sponsors. Their commitment to Lionism helps to ensure the Hawaii Kai Lions will continue to grow and serve our community now and well into the future.
Through everyone’s hard work we produced another successful Fathers’ Day Pancake Breakfast with a couple added features. Lion Peggy and her 100 years of Lions Photo Booth, and Lion Eric Kvick’s Rescue Tube Display generated lots of interest and fun. Mahalo also to our CIS for their hard work with the ever popular Bake and Plant Sale.
The Holiday Parade went off on time and without a hitch. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, directed by Lion Ken Nishibun, the community was treated to another wonderful parade to kick off the holiday season.
One other project with a huge impact on the community was the Rescue Tube Initiative led by Lion Eric Kvick. In April over 100 rescue tubes were handed out to the public, including lifeguards, fire fighters, police, canoe paddlers, and boaters. Tubes were posted in dangerous areas without lifeguard service such as Spitting Caves and China Walls. 2018 goals are to get more tubes posted around Oahu and have other Lions Clubs participate in this initiative. However, the true measure of the success of this project is the two lives that were saved over this past summer with these rescue tubes. Only word I have is “Awesome!”
Before, after, and in-between were many worthwhile projects and events that we participated in….too numerous to list. Would just like to say a big MAHALO to all our Lions and their CIS for their dedication, hard work, and service throughout the year. Looking forward to whatever 2018 has in store for us. I’d like to wish everyone peace, happiness ,good health, and prosperity in 2018.
Mahalo and Aloha,
Jeanne