If you have troubles viewing the full newsletter, please click on the link above. It will show it in a separate tab of the browser. Sometimes the email format doesn't show it fully.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Aloha my fellow Rotarians,
Hope you are doing well! The last 2 weeks were pretty busy but very productive for our Club. Thank you to those who joined for Social night (3/11) and Vocational Service Awards Night (3/25). Both events were successful, and I would like to thank everyone who put a lot of efforts and hard work in making these events possible. Thank you, team!
We have more interesting and impactful speakers lined up for the following meetings in the next few weeks. We also have another great service project planned for Saturday, April 24th! More details to come, stay tuned!
With aloha,
Ary Radnaeva
2020 - 2021 President of the RCHS
RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S MEETING - March 18th
Last week's meeting was a special Vocational Service recognition night. Beth Hoban presented awards to six recipients.
The first recipient of the Vocational Service Award is the Employer of the Year. This year's Employer of the Year is Hawaii Pacific Health.
Hawaii Pacific Health- Hawai‘i Pacific Health is one of the state’s largest health care systems with four medical centers on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i – Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center – and clinic locations statewide. Hawai‘i Pacific Health’s primary focus during the COVID-19 pandemic has been to ensure the safety of patients and staff while serving the community in its greatest time of need.
At the onset of the pandemic, drive-up COVID-19 specimen collection sites, a COVID-19 Virtual Clinic and critical Respiratory Evaluation Centers were stood up in a matter of days to serve the public health needs of patients and the community.
Systemwide telehealth initiatives that were already in development were accelerated and put in place to protect patients and providers and ensure they continued to get the medical care they needed even during government-mandated lockdowns and restrictions.
Hawai‘i Pacific Health created a COVID-19 Employer Hotline as a free resource and connected employers and business owners to physician experts for guidance on addressing their questions and concerns.
Most recently, Hawai‘i Pacific Health was one of the first health care providers to open a mass vaccination center to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the community.
To date, Hawai‘i Pacific Health has administered thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses to health care workers, first responders, essential workers, and other eligible Hawai‘i residents.
Hawai‘i Pacific Health President & CEO Ray Vara has not only led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and these initiatives, but he has also been personally involved in volunteer committees with government, business and community leaders to help assure the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s residents and to help chart a path to safely reopen the state’s economy for residents and visitors alike.
Accepting the Employer of the Year award for Hawaii Pacific Health is Sunshine Topping, Vice President of Human Resource.
The RCHS recognized 6 categories for the Vocational Service Award. The next award is the Military Professional of the Year .
Military Professional of the Year
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Nathan H. Lethgo has been an Army Combat Medic for over 17 years. On March 2, 2020, he joined Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) just as the COVID-19 global pandemic was surging worldwide. Working in the TAMC operations division, he helped establish the TAMC COVID-19 Current Operations Integration Cell (COIC). The COVID COIC became the organization’s center of gravity, managing all COVID information and reporting requirements, receiving and publishing military orders related to COVID taskings, managing labor pools in support of COVID operations and organizing hospital expansion capability plans among multiple other responsibilities. His efforts required the selfless sacrifice of time with those dearest to him. Supported by his loving wife, Andra and two daughters, Harper and Hayley, SFC Lethgo was able to focus his attention on TAMC’s mission requirements. His investment in TAMC’s response to COVID, the safety of its Staff and beneficiaries, and humble assumption of vitally essential tasks resulted in TAMC being able to fulfill its healthcare mission during unprecedented times.
Fireman of the Year
Jeffery Hooker distinguished himself as a Battalion Chief of the Occupational Safety and Health Offices (OSHO) of the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) where he directly supervised the HFD Storeroom and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Shop personnel and health and safety programs. His notable accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
Direct collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu’s Infectious Disease Officer (IDO) pertaining to personnel who may have been exposed to and/or contracted the virus, development of quarantine/isolation protocols, establishment of cleaning/disinfection procedures for worksites and apparatuses, and establishment of procedures for reusing critical inventories to prolong their use, as supplies were difficult to acquire.
Research and acquisition of over $2.5 million in personal protective clothing (PPC) and equipment (PPE),
Provided weekly Condition, Action, and Needs reports to the Fire Chief regarding the HFD’s status on critical supplies and updates on personnel exposures, testing, and quarantines/isolations.
He directly assisting in sanitizing the Kalihi Uka Fire Station after the HFD’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, the HFD Headquarters, and various City offices.
Police Officer of the Year
Sergeant Joseph O’Neal distinguished himself as Supervisor in the Community Outreach Unit (COU) of the Honolulu Police Department. He was responsible for coordinating all of the COU programs. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sergeant O’Neal assisted HPD leadership in implementing and deploying the Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) program. This first-of-its-kind program continued the mission of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for the un-sheltered program during a pandemic by providing a 24-hour safe location for homeless individuals to receive shelter and services. The POST model ensured that our homeless members of the community could have the same capability to shelter in place with access to food, personal protective equipment, and social distancing as our sheltered members of the community.
In September 2020, Sergeant O’Neal was given command of the COU. Through generous donations and the tireless efforts of the COU staff and HPD officers who worked the site, the POST was successful in sheltering over 810 homeless individuals, providing 13,531 nights of shelter, serving of 32,000 meals, providing on-site medical care to hundreds, and navigating 434 individuals to more permanent living arrangements. The POST successfully mitigated the spread of COVID-19 in the homeless community and only experienced 11 cases of COVID-19 with not a single case of on-site spread.
Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Sheila Bierwert distinguished herself as an amazing grade 2 teacher this past year. She is the grade 2 chairperson, a member of Jefferson Elementary School’s Academic Review TEAM (ART), and chairperson for the school's yearbook. She also served as a mentor teacher to prospective teaching candidates from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
During this pandemic, she has organized and prepared her grade 2 TEAM to teach in both a face-to-face and distance learning platform. During daily walkthroughs of all classrooms, Jefferson School leadership felt the positive energy in her classroom. Students engaged in grade level content as she displayed her differentiating instruction through face-to-face and distance learning resulting in meeting the needs of all students learning in her classroom and at home. Sheila led her grade 2 TEAM in articulating and planning for future face-to-face and distance learning lessons and projects. Parents have commented on how much their children enjoy coming to school because they know that “Mrs. Bierwert will teach their child something new each day.” One parent commented, “My son loves coming to school. In his class, they do morning exercises and he loves moving around.” Mrs. Bierwert makes it exciting to learn and that begins at 8 a.m. with students in class exercises.
Jefferson School Principal Mr. Garret Zakahi stated that students have told him “You have to come and exercise with us because this class is fun. We get to have fun and learn about stuff at the same time.” In the eyes of her students and school leadership, Mrs. Bierwert is the best teacher ever.
Healthcare Worker of the Year
Ken Kenji Yamazaki distinguished himself with his hard work, compassionate care, and unparalleled dedication to his patients, his community, and his profession as an Emergency Nurse at Straub Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a great deal of uncertainty, Kenji stepped up and accepted the challenges of COVID-19 head-on, while fully covered head-to-toe in PPE. Whether actively performing CPR while resuscitating a critically ill COVID-19 patient or compassionately holding the hand of a worried patient or family member, Kenji is constantly adapting and excelling at what is presented to him. He is truly the essence of what it means to be a team player and exudes the mission statement of Straub Medical Center and Hawai‘i Pacific Health, that “working together, we can make the greatest impact on individuals, families and our communities.” And having been born at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, it is almost as if Kenji was born to work at Hawai‘i Pacific Health!
As Kenji states-
“Being a nurse at Straub ER has been a tremendously rewarding experience. It has given me the opportunity to meet and work with some remarkably gifted people. The staff are truly special and amazing at what they do. Despite what has been thrown at them, they still managed to overcome such heavy obstacles. I am forever grateful to be a part of such a dedicated, hard-working team.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted the way I practice nursing. I’m constantly adapting to new practices and new challenges. Despite all that, the pandemic really solidified my decision to be a nurse. I wasn’t taught or trained for this type of situation, but the experiences brought on by the pandemic really made me realize that bedside nursing was what I was put on this earth to do.”
UPCOMING MEETING - on March 25th
Join us for this week's meeting. The speaker will be Bob Wubbena, to talk about WASHRAG--the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group.
Bob is a retired Professional Engineer with over 50 years of water, wastewater, water resources and watershed design, water quality, and organizational management experience. He has provided professional consulting services throughout North America, with a primary focus in the Pacific Northwest. He has traveled to over 70 countries for both pleasure and for charitable water projects for Rotary International, Transform International and AWWA/Water For People, as well as for Habitat for Humanity.
Bob says:
Just for the record I grew up in a small Iowa town and began working full time (when not in school) for a local farmer and at my parents Farm Store Business when I was in eighth grade. Town was 300 but now is 100 and some of my family still lives there. Many people along the way helped me get my BS and MS in Civil /Environmental Engineering at the Univ of Iowa, moved to Olympia as a Public Health Engineer in Water Supply. Started my own engineering company 9 years later, grew it to five offices and 75 engineers, scientists etal, made some good sideline business decisions and began in 1992 Giving Back to those who helped me and other poor people like my family was. Life has been good. We now give away much of our Mandatory Distribution of our IRA account to youth and water projects ---most through Rotary. I try to give time, talent and resources to those that will benefit---if they also help themselves am us in improving their family situation.
To join the meeting via Zoom, please follow this link:
Dial by your location: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma).
Member Spotlight
Jane Ferreira
Jane is a National Director of the Navy League of the United States, the Executive Director of the Honolulu Council, and is a strong team-building professional with leadership skills in business development, strategic partnership and community engagement. She is a brand ambassador with a consistent track record from small business to corporate America, non-profits and startups. Jane has a wealth of senior-level experience in numerous sectors in Hawaii, is highly involved with the local education, business and technology communities, and the force behind many local non-profits.
Jane retired from Hewlett-Packard having served in various positions over 23 years. Was a founding member for HP’s national "Workplace Solutions” team supporting North American sales offices. She served as the Customer Liaison for the Pacific handling customer escalation issues for the President’s office, and coordinated the Merger, Acquisition and Consolidation team efforts for the Compaq and HP offices in Hawaii.
Rotary Moment
from PDG Win Schoneman
The Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset was started by a handful of Waikiki Rotarians itching to start Hawaii's first evening club... they said, "it couldn't be done... that it wouldn't last". Today, after more than twenty-five years, our club has not only survived but is thriving... excelling in service with our local partners with diverse projects improving our environment, fighting poverty, homelessness and food insecurity and empowering women and children. We do good in the world with our global Rotary partners in Malawi, Nepal and Romania. The Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset is recognized as, perhaps, the most successful Rota Club in Hawaii. Success is built upon a strong foundation.
Our foundation is not Rotary International nor District 5000... our foundation is our members and the values they hold. You may know, or not, that the Rotary Club of Waikiki's motto is "The Friendly Club" so it should not be too surprising that The Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset has a motto too... we are "The Aloha Club".
The word Aloha has strong meaning by itself ... to love unconditionally. Aloha is supported by many underlying values ... Perhaps I could just highlight three that I think reflect my experience of the Rotarians in this club. My first would be Alaka'i...leadership. Not just leadership in structure and organizational function but in leadership of self. President Ary exemplifies this value.
Second, I would say Ho'okipa .....being hospitable... friendly with others and each other. Friendship is important to us. Lastly, I would suggest to you that we as a club embrace mahalo as a value important to us. Mahalo...being thankful ... the living expression of gratitude; not only for what we have but for what others bring to our lives. Alaka'I, Ho'okipa, mahalo ... leadership, friendship and gratitude. Three of the values that underpin the most successful service club in Hawaii.
RCHS Supports Peacebuilding initiatives in Hawaii
Inspired by one of our speakers a few a weeks ago, Jose Barzola, the Education Specialist from theMatsunaga Institute for Peace, our Club reached out and offered to support one of the local peacebuilding initiatives - the 34th Annual Peer Mediation Conference (PMC) “Adventures in Peer Mediation” which will be from April 7, 2021 to April 30, 2021.
This event is designed to attract anyone interested in peer mediation, peer mediators, youth, and adults that work with youth to attend. We hope to inspire our communities to explore the benefits of peer mediation. Join us and share about this event! (More detailed information is below).
Come learn about Peer Mediation programs throughout Hawai’i in our opening panel “The Adventure Begins” on Wednesday, April 7. Then join us for one or more of our 16 skill workshops from April 8 to April 29. Everytime you attend a skills workshop you obtain a digital raffle ticket for gift cards that will be raffled at the closing panel event.
Finally, join us to celebrate the PMC closing panel “What’s Next! The Peer Mediation Adventure Continues” with alumni peer mediators to discuss the impact of peer mediation on their personal and professional lives. Raffles will be held at the closing for those in attendance. We will have gift cards in $25 and $50 increments to be raffled for Amazon, Mana Up, Red Lobster, Starbucks, and many more. Over $500 worth of gift cards to be raffled up. Be sure to attend the skills workshops to obtain one digital raffle ticket per skills workshop attended.
Hosted by the Matsunaga Institute for Peace in partnership with the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans aka Club 100, Ceeds of Peace, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Conflict Resolution Alliance, Department for Educational Administration-UH Mānoa, East-West Center Leadership Program, Farrington High School, Hawai'i State Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Institute for Climate and Peace, Kailua High School, Kaua'i Economic Opportunity, Ku'ikahi Mediation Center, Lōkahi Foundation, Maui Mediation Services, MediationWorks, Peace Corps, REAL Innovative Connections, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset Teach For America Hawai'i, The Mediation Center of the Pacific, and West Hawai'i Mediation Center.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRIP PROJECT
Attached you will find details about our 2021 District International Service Trip to Nepal and Bhutan, scheduled for Oct 22 to Nov 4.
Due to the limited space of 30 persons, priority will be given to Rotarians of clubs who have contributed to the current or previous global grants in Nepal or Bhutan and also to Rotarians who have specialty training or expertise in secondary education, agricultural science, veterinary science, soil science, land surveying, or other applied science subjects. For additional questions, please feel free to contact our Nepal Workgroup Chair Arjun Aryal or myself. Toward the end of next month, we will host an informational meeting for those who have registered.
Thank you again,
James Ham, M.D.
Immediate Past President, RC Honolulu Sunset
Global Grants Chair, D5000
Member, International Service Team, D5000
See the flyer below.
President Ary Radnaeva
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man."
state’s largest health care systems with four medical centers on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i – Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center – and clinic locations statewide. Hawai‘i Pacific Health’s primary focus during the COVID-19 pandemic has been to ensure the safety of patients and staff while serving the community in its greatest time of need.
2020, he joined Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) just as the COVID-19 global pandemic was surging worldwide. Working in the TAMC operations division, he helped establish the TAMC COVID-19 Current Operations Integration Cell (COIC). The COVID COIC became the organization’s center of gravity, managing all COVID information and reporting requirements, receiving and publishing military orders related to COVID taskings, managing labor pools in support of COVID operations and organizing hospital expansion capability plans among multiple other responsibilities. His efforts required the selfless sacrifice of time with those dearest to him. Supported by his loving wife, Andra and two daughters, Harper and Hayley, SFC Lethgo was able to focus his attention on TAMC’s mission requirements. His investment in TAMC’s response to COVID, the safety of its Staff and beneficiaries, and humble assumption of vitally essential tasks resulted in TAMC being able to fulfill its healthcare mission during unprecedented times. 
Supervisor in the Community Outreach Unit (COU) of the Honolulu Police Department. He was responsible for coordinating all of the COU programs. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sergeant O’Neal assisted HPD leadership in implementing and deploying the Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) program. This first-of-its-kind program continued the mission of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for the un-sheltered program during a pandemic by providing a 24-hour safe location for homeless individuals to receive shelter and services. The POST model ensured that our homeless members of the community could have the same capability to shelter in place with access to food, personal protective equipment, and social distancing as our sheltered members of the community.
amazing grade 2 teacher this past year. She is the grade 2 chairperson, a member of Jefferson Elementary School’s Academic Review TEAM (ART), and chairperson for the school's yearbook. She also served as a mentor teacher to prospective teaching candidates from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
work, compassionate care, and unpa
water, wastewater, water resources and watershed design, water quality, and organizational management experience. He has provided professional consulting services throughout North America, with a primary focus in the Pacific Northwest. He has traveled to over 70 countries for both pleasure and for charitable water projects for Rotary International, Transform International and AWWA/Water For People, as well as for Habitat for Humanity.
United States, the Executive Director of the Honolulu Council, and is a strong team-building professional with leadership skills in business development, strategic partnership and community engagement. She is a brand ambassador with a consistent track record from small business to corporate America, non-profits and startups. Jane has a wealth of senior-level experience in numerous sectors in Hawaii, is highly involved with the local education, business and technology communities, and the force behind many local non-profits.
