October 2017 President’s Message
Aloha Lions,
September has come and gone so quickly, it made my head spin. The holidays will be here before we know it, as evidenced by the Christmas decorations on display at Costco alongside the Halloween costumes.
The 2017 hurricane season has been very active and devastating. The eastern side of the mainland has been hit three times in a matter of weeks. Prayers go out to everyone affected by these very destructive storms.
How can we help? What can we do? The Lions Club
International Foundation (LCIF) is requesting donations to assist with disaster relief from the many Lions Clubs and their members. If you are able to, please make your check to LCIF and indicate disaster relief on the memo line. You can bring your check to the next meeting and give to PDG Roy Aoki, the liaison with LCIF. Your donation is tax deductible and qualifies toward a Melvin Jones Fellow. If you have any questions regarding your donation or Melvin Jones Fellow, PDG Roy can answer.
September projects started off with Hawaii Kai Lions and the Boy Scouts Troop 101 working with Friends of Hanauma Bay to clear the hillside of the trash that continuously litters the park. Thank you to Lion Joel Leo for spearheading this environmental project and to all the Lion members and boy scouts that participated. I know it took lots of sweat and hard work.
Our September 5th meeting welcomed the Koko Head Lions for a joint meeting and also District Govenor Blayne Hagami. DG Blayne spoke about his four areas of focus for the year and then he inducted a new member to the Koko Head Lions. His evening was topped off with karaoke at Lion Alvin’s home, which he truly enjoyed.
Open house meeting on September 21st was held at Mariners Cove Bay Club, thanks to Alvin’s friends Steve and Kathy Takaki. Two new members were present, Rylen Yamamoto and Darlene Ko. Darlene submitted her application that night and Rylen submitted his application at the meeting before. The hope is to induct both at our October 19th meeting. Also attending were to HPD officers, Sgt Gerome Paccaro and Officer Brandon Shirashi. They shared a little about crime in East Oahu and how to not fall prey to the latest fraud schemes. One tip was to treat your phone like your wallet. Do not lend out to anyone who asks to use it… and a common sense pointer— Lock your doors!
Other projects included the Citizenship Ceremony at Punahou School. David Iwana and I witnessed eighty nine new US citizens being sworn in. Lions David Iwana and Cynthia Chun assisted at the Senior Good Life Expo at the NBC. Thank you to all the Lions that participated.
The last day of the month was spent painting an office at the HUGS home in Kaimuki. Backbreaking work led by Eric Kvick with five of us there at all times. Thanks to Eric for leading us in the proper way to paint and cracking the whip all day. Lions participating were Lion Bill Modglin, Ken Nishibun, Stan Ito, Cynthia Chun, and myself. The non-profit HUGS organization was very grateful and appreciative for the help. The room was a clean cool white and soothing blue when finally completed.
October looks to be another busy month with vision and hearing screenings being scheduled and the beginning of the elementary school carnivals. Please check the website to sign up for any upcoming projects you are able to assist with.
Our first meeting on October 5th will have Matt Glei from Hawaii Kai Strong speaking about disaster preparedness. An important subject…. Hope to see you all there.
Mahalo and Aloha,
Lion President Jeanne