Celebrating Club of the Year

Congratulations to the members and leaders for your time and talent

RCHS Mission: We cultivate friendships, exchange ideas, and develop programs

to create positive change in the world!

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter Date: October 29, 2026

President's Message: “Service Above Self, with a Sunset View.”

From Mike: Service in Full Swing

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

What an inspiring and action-packed couple of weeks for Honolulu Sunset! From the golf green to community health outreach, our members have demonstrated what it truly means to live out “Service Above Self.”

At our last meeting on Thursday evening, Dr. Lorenzo Abala was presented with The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity by PDG Nancy Cabral. This award goes to up to 150 non-Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service through Rotary.

This past Saturday evening, RCHS had two tables at the Healthcare Association of Hawaii's Annual Gala where Healthcare Heroes of Hawaii are recognized. Two of our Club members, Dr. James Ham and Dr. Dan Murariu, were recognized with this prestigious award. As we know, healthcare is a critical need in our Islands with a significant shortage of qualified physicians. How incredible to see two of our members recognized as heroes in the medical field!

A huge mahalo to everyone who supported our World Polio Day outreach this past weekend. On Friday, October 23, James Ham led a tremendous effort with our “Tee Off Against Polio” Golf Fundraiser at Waikele Country Club, generating vital awareness and contributions for PolioPlus. We followed that on Saturday, October 24, joining forces with the JABSOM H.O.M.E. Project and other District 5000 clubs at U.S. VETS – Waianae for hands-on community health and vaccination outreach. Special thanks to all members who gave their Saturday to make a real difference for our veterans and local families.

As RI leader Yinka Babalola reminds us, “If we change ourselves, we will change the world.” Let’s continue carrying that spirit of intentional service, warmth, and fellowship into everything we do this week.

Mahalo for your dedication and heart,

Mike Kass

President, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset (2026–2027)

The Sunset Brief

The Sunset Brief Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset

Weekly Newsletter | October 8, 2026 President Mike Kass (2026–2027)

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

Mahalo to everyone who joined our service shift at The Pantry yesterday! Stepping up to support local families experiencing food insecurity is the very essence of Service Above Self, and our club’s hands-on energy continues to make a meaningful community impact.

This Week’s Meeting: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Location: Waikiki Yacht Club (1599 Ala Moana Blvd)
Time: 6:00 PM Fellowship | 6:30 PM Meeting & Dinner
Guest Speaker: Dave Mozdren, The Rotary Foundation
Topic: The Rotary Foundation: Global Impact, PolioPlus & Local Opportunities

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset Week of October 1, 2026

President’s Message

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

As we step into October, we have a dynamic month of fellowship, service, and meaningful club programs ahead. We kick off this week by welcoming Jefferson Elementary School Principal Kristen Ono. Our club has done many service projects with Jefferson Elementary, and Principal Ono will be sharing the impact we have made along with other insights into education in our community.

Looking ahead, we are also preparing for an exciting presentation on our Thai cultural exchange. Thank you all for your ongoing dedication, vibrant energy, and commitment to Service Above Self.

See you this Thursday at the Waikiki Yacht Club!

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter

Date: September 16, 2026

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 17th, we are back to our regular weekly meetings at the Waikiki Yacht Club! It has been a few weeks since we have all gathered together, and I truly hope to see a full room as we reconnect and share in fellowship.

We have an impactful program and a very special milestone lined up for our meeting:

Induction of New Member Dr. Michele Wang: We will officially induct our newest member into our club family! Dr. Wang is a psychiatrist trained at UCSD, UCSF, Mount Sinai, and Columbia with extensive global health experience. Please join me in giving her a warm Sunset Rotary welcome.
Guest Speaker from Hoʻōla Nā Pua: We are privileged to welcome Shelley Cramer, CEO of Hoʻōla Nā Pua, who will present on a powerful and critical topic facing our community.

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter Date: August 23, 2026 | Issue: #6

From Mike

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

We’ve had a busy few weeks in our Club.

This past Thursday, we had a very informative presentation from Jose Acevedo from the AED Institute of America. He showed us how easy it is to use an AED. We've all seen these devices on the walls in offices, malls, buildings, and airports—but would you know how to use one if needed? Jose showed us how easy it is... I even pushed the electric shock button while he was hooked up to the machine! After this presentation, we are all much better prepared to use this life-saving device should the need ever arise.

Then this weekend, we had our District 5000 annual conference. We had over 200 Rotarians in attendance and even enjoyed a surprise appearance by Governor Josh Green. He offered us wonderful thoughts about coming together to create peace and finding ways to collaborate to create lasting impact. His message of peacebuilding was the highlight of the weekend and reminded me how critical the work we do as Rotarians truly is.

To top it all off, a major highlight of the evening was that RCHS was awarded Large Club of the Year! This is an amazing testament to all the hard work and dedication our Club has put in over the past year. We were recognized with several other awards as well, which we look forward to celebrating and sharing at our September 17th meeting.

Yours in Service,

Mike Kass

The Sunset Brief

THE SUNSET BRIEF

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset August 10th, 2026

MIKE'S MESSAGE & THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

"Small acts, when multiplied by transformed communities, can transform the world."

Aloha RCHS Members,

As we continue to build momentum this Rotary year, I am continually inspired by the dedication within our club and across our local community. Partnering with local leaders and organizations who share our commitment to service is at the heart of what makes our club thrive.

I certainly missed seeing everyone last week as my job took me off island for a few days. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday evening at the Waikiki Yacht Club as we welcome our guest speakers and learn more about the incredible hands-on work happening right here in Hawaii!

SOCIAL CORNER — RECAP OF OUR FIRST SOCIAL EVENT

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter Date: July 26, 2026 | Issue: #3

Record-Breaking Fundraiser Success!
We raised over $100K at our recent annual fundraiser at the Halekulani Hotel! This is an all-time high for our club and will ensure we can continue our vital local and global work in the year ahead. A heartfelt mahalo to everyone who donated, participated, and helped make this evening an overwhelming success!

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter Date: July 20, 2026 | Issue: #2 President's Message: “Service Above Self, with a Sunset View.”

From Mike

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

What an incredible weekend! Our annual fundraiser at the Halekulani Hotel on July 18th was an absolute success. Thanks to the extraordinary support of our sponsors, members, and guests, we reached record-breaking support for our community initiatives.

The Sunset Brief

The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter Date: July 12, 2026 | Issue: #1 President's Message: “Service Above Self, with a Sunset View.”

From Mike:

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

I am deeply honored and grateful to serve as your President for the Rotary 2026–2027 year. I am fully committed to continuing the incredible work of all our past presidents and dedicating myself to making our Club the best on Oahu. I truly look forward to a year ahead filled with impactful service, deep education, strong fellowship, and plenty of fun!

Thank you all for a fantastic meeting on July 9th. As we kick off this journey together, I want to reiterate the powerful message from Past RI Vice President Yinka Babalola that I shared with you all:

“If we change ourselves, we will change the world.”

Fundraiser SOLD OUT

6/11/26

Happy Kamehameha Day!

I am humbled by the overwhelming support for our July 18 fundraiser. Reaching capacity so quickly is a testament to the dedication and passion of this community. Thank you for your confidence and your partnership.

Mahalo nui loa

Mike Kass

President Mike Kass

Links

No Meeting this week
WYC

Oct. 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Service Project at The Pantry
The Pantry

Nov. 04, 2026 11:30 a.m.
Regular Meeting
WYC

Nov. 05, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Morning Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi Walk
Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park

Nov. 07, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
D5000 Foundation Banquet with RIPE Larry Lunsford
Hale Koa Hotel

Nov. 09, 2026
4:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Club Christmas Party and 30th Anniversary at the Ritz-Carlton — a truly wonderful night. We were especially proud to receive a Polio Certificate from PDG Roz, recognizing our club’s strong support of Rotary’s Polio Eradication Initiative and for surpassing our fundraising goal. Well done, Sunsetters!n here

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Aloha Fellow Rotarians and Visitors,

It is my absolute pleasure and honor to welcome every one of you to our Rotary Club. Whether you are a long-standing member or new to our Ohana, I want to extend a heartfelt greeting to you all.

Rotary is a global family united by a shared commitment to service above self. It is through our collective efforts that we can make a difference in our communities and across the world and here in Hawai’i. As your President, I am inspired by the passion and dedication I see in each of you, and I am confident that together, we can achieve remarkable things this year.

Our club has a proud history of service, and as we move forward, we will continue to build on that legacy. We have exciting projects and initiatives planned, and I encourage everyone to get involved, share your ideas, and bring your unique strengths to the table. Remember, every contribution counts, and it is through our diverse perspectives that we can truly make an impact.

As we embark on this journey together, let us remain committed to the core values of Rotary—fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. Let us support one another, grow together, and make this a year to remember.

Our club must remain relevant by adapting to the evolving needs of communities and embracing modern approaches while staying true to its core values. By integrating these strategies, Rotary can continue to play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of today and tomorrow, ensuring its relevance and impact for years to come.

Thank you for your trust and commitment to our club and the Rotary mission. I look forward to working closely with all of you as we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Mike Kass
President, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset

THE HISTORY OF THE FOUR-WAY TEST

The Four-Way Test was conceived in 1932 by businessman Herbert J. Taylor, a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Having taken on the task of saving a company from bankruptcy, Taylor developed the test as an ethical guide to follow in all business matters. The company’s survival was credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary International in 1934, The Four-Way Test remains an essential standard against which Rotarians measure ethical behavior. It has been translated into dozens of languages and promoted by Rotarians worldwide.