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President's Message
Privet from Russia!
I am very happy to be able to visit my home country despite the pandemic. I am currently in the capital of Russia - Moscow. It is an enormous and busy city! You might be interested in learning about what's going on here during the pandemic. But briefly, if I share my observations, most of the public businesses like restaurants, shops and malls are open, social distancing and wearing masks are recommended in the contained areas but not outside.(However, all restaurant workers must and do wear masks while at work). Generally, it seems like it's everyone's choice to protect themselves in public places. Some businesses and corporations may implement stricter rules, and some of them have their employees work permanently from home. Traveling to/from Russia is very limited to destinations, however it is possible. Testing is widely practiced here and anyone can take it. (The results are ready within 2 hours). I was able to do that upon the arrival without being quarantined for 2 weeks. If you are interested in number of COVID cases and statistics in Russia, check out this link here. Anyway it seems like the whole country is moving forward amidst the pandemic, maintaining the economy and making everyone to continue with their lives. (I believe Russia just can't afford doing otherwise...)
Stay safe & healthy! See you on Thursday night!
Mahalo,
Ary Radnaeva
2020 - 2021 President of the RCHS
UPCOMING MEETING - September 17 - ZOOM ONLY!
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii is increasing, the RCHS, following City and County of Honolulu mandates and guidelines, is offering only virtual Zoom meetings in September. We are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our members, guests and the community.
Please join us for our weekly meeting on September 10th. This meeting will be only on Zoom! Our usual informal happy (half) hour begins at 6:00 pm, and the bell rings at 6:30 pm to formally start the meeting.
Our speaker this week will be Nainoa Mau, theExecutive Director of Friends of the Library of Hawai’i (FLH). Mau has held that position for six years and was the FLH Program Director for four years prior. Mau is a strong believer in the importance of access to information and educational opportunities for all. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and earned a degree in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. In addition to his work with FLH, Mau also volunteers with other community organizations and is currently the co-Chair of Hawai’i Public Radioʻs Generation Listen.
Friends of the Library of Hawai’i (FLH) is the non-profit partner of the Hawai’i State Public Library System (HSPLS). The mission of FLH is to support and promote all of Hawai’iʻs public libraries. FLH accomplishes this mission by providing financial support for programs and services that are not provided for in the state budget. The biggest programs include the popular Summer Reading Programs, Institute Days for all HSPLS staff, matching grants for technology upgrades and capital expenses, scholarships for Masters of Library Science students, and much more. Funds for these programs come from membership, book sales, donations, grants, and community sponsorships. In addition to financial support, FLH advocates for the perpetuation and extension of free public library services for our communities.
To join the meeting via Zoom, please follow this link:
Dial by your location: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma).
Last Week's MEETING - September 10th
Last week's speaker was Katie Taladay, ProgramManager for STEMWorks.
Katie spoke about facilitating the STEM Education to Workforce pipeline in Hawaii.
She explained that STEMWorks began as a program under the Maui Economic Development Board, with the name Women in Tech. It is now state-wide.
It aims to prepare students to be career-ready, and also works to train teachers.
Its resources include a lending library of STEM-related books and resources. It has developed a curriculum that provides educators with a customizable plan and tools. It helps students experience the integration of technology and education. Since March, all of its programs are virtual.
This summer, it sponsored 42 summer interns with the Hawaii Business Roundtable. Everything that STEMWorks does is based on some kind of career. Students get hands-on experience.
Member Spotlight
James Ham writes:
I’m thrilled to be asked to share a little bit about myself this week. I’ve been a proud member of this wonderful club since 2015, and was sponsored by then President Glen Bailey. Since then, I’ve served as the International Service Chair, Rotaract Faculty Advisor, and President. What I love about this club is the diversity of personalities, professions, and passions. Because of my membership in Rotary, I’ve met some amazing people in this club and beyond, and I’m looking forward to meeting many more in the future. Here’s my story…
Born in Los Angeles to Korean immigrants, I grew up living in the back of a tiny store in a pretty bad neighborhood in South Central LA. On a premonition telling my mother to go north, we jumped on the I-5 and moved to a small town called Centralia, in a very rural part of southwest Washington State - it was definitely a big culture shock for us. (The LA Riots began several months later, and the store we had owned was looted and nearly burned down - so my mom’s premonition was right!) In Centralia - living at a much slower pace - my brother and I learned about all the fun things “country folk” do including cow tipping, fishing, hiking, and shooting guns. I also learned the ins and outs of the family business, having to do all levels of jobs in the operations of a busy motel off the I-5 between Portland and Seattle, dealing with people from all walks of life - some really nice, some really weird, some cooking meth, and even some trying to rob you with a shotgun in the middle of the night!
Despite all the craziness, I still consider home to be Washington State, since my parents and brother still live there, and I finished high school, college, and residency there. For college, I attended the University of Washington in Seattle on scholarship and graduated with B.S. degrees in Biochemistry and Economics. After graduating, I volunteered as a rural firefighter and EMT, while working for the Department of Health as an economist, before attending Chicago Medical School with an Army scholarship. I completed residency in emergency medicine at the combined Madigan Army Medical Center/University of Washington residency program and the Military Tropical Medicine Course in Bethesda before serving as the Brigade Surgeon for the 130th Combat Engineer Brigade at Schofield Barracks, where I was in charge of medical plans and operations for all active Army engineering operations in the entire Pacific Theater, including missions in the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Palau, Guam, and the Marshall Islands. I finished my Army service as an Emergency Physician at Tripler and was honorably discharged as a Major.
Currently, I’m board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and hold Fellow status with the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, and the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. I am now employed full-time at Straub Medical Center and part-time at Kona Community Hospital, and I teach at JABSOM as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Outside of work and Rotary, I volunteer as Director and Co-Founder of Water Hands Hope, as a Board Member for Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii, as a Preceptor for HOME Project, and as a Faculty Advisor and Instructor for the Wilderness Medicine Interest Group at JABSOM and Oahu Search and Rescue. The love of my life is So-Jin Lee who is a Family Physician at the Straub Walk-In Clinic. We have a son, Kinley, who is 13-months old and just started walking last week! Together we enjoy family hikes with our dog Grey, and we love cooking, traveling, and exploring.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW! This year, join us as Rotary Gives Thanks by planting 5,000 Hawaiian Native trees to combat climate change!
Our COVID Strategy:
The planting area at Gunstock Ranch is 5 acres! This gives us ample space to socially distance in the vast, open-air area. Furthermore, each tree will be planted in a pre-dug hole that is 10 ft apart from each other! Planting will be coordinated with regards to teams and planting zones. The number of participants in a team will depend on the current guidance by the government (ie. no more than 5 per team). To give you an idea of the planting zones, please see the sample below. Only one team will be present on each planting zone and will be planting in the same direction as the other teams. This will decrease the likelihood of teams of being in proximity of one another.
When: Saturdays starting November 28th thru February 20, 2021*
Shift times:
•8:30am - 10:30am
•10:30am - 12:30pm
•2:30pm - 2:30pm
•2:30pm - 4:30pm
* - Date and times may be impacted by Covid-19.
What: Each person will plant 10 trees. These trees will never be cut down or sold for profit.
How: Holes are pre-dug! Training, equipment, parking, and directions will be provided.
If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to our Club's President and Tree Planting Ambassador Ary by emailing to radnaeva.aryuna@gmail.com.
ROTARY MOMENT
Have you heard about Rotary Project Fairs?
Rotary’s project fairs connect clubs that are seeking international service projects with those that are interested in collaborating with global partners. Project fairs typically last two to three days and may include visits to service projects or opportunities to experience the local culture.
President Ary has recently received an email invitation to the XV Rotary Project Fair which will be held online on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of November 2020. It is held by District 4400, Ecuador. This project fair enables Clubs to find international partners for developing humanitarian joint projects financed with Global Grants. During this two-day Rotarian encounter, Ecuadorian clubs will exhibit online, their projects to visiting Rotarians who will learn about them, and if interested, reach agreements for joint work and support. The visitors can meet the Clubs and see important projects of a wide variety and may establish new partnerships as well as long lasting friendships.
Who can attend?
Any club representative or Rotary member who is interested in supporting an international service project can attend a project fair.
A club secretary is an important role and it helps to run the club smoothly and effectively. The secretary also monitors club trends to help identify strengths and areas for improvement, and share this information with club leaders.
Maintain minutes of club, board, and committee meetings.
Make required reports to RI.
Perform any other duties that usually pertain to the office of secretary.
We need you to continue to run our club successfully! Please reach out to our Club TrainerBeth at bhoban@primecarehawaii.com for more detailed information.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Reese Liggett from the Rotary Club of Honolulu told us about the D5000 Centennial Park project, at Seaside and Aloha, in Waikiki.
The project is nearing the completion of Phase One, with work days on September 18, 19, and 26. The primary work day will be on September 18, to plant about 150 shrubs in 3-gallon containers; begin planting about 1500 pothos ground-cover plants.
To sign up, email Reese at wliggett@twc.com. It will be great to have a cross-section of D5000 Rotarians from different clubs take part in this phase of park construction (a permitted activity).
Rotary International is pleased to announce that the continent of Africa has been certified as polio free. It has now been more than four years since the last case in Nigeria.
Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset Weekly newsletter
Executive Director of Friends of the Library of Hawai’i (FLH). Mau has held that position for six years and was the FLH Program Director for four years prior. Mau is a strong believer in the importance of access to information and educational opportunities for all. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and earned a degree in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. In addition to his work with FLH, Mau also volunteers with other community organizations and is currently the co-Chair of Hawai’i Public Radioʻs Generation Listen.
for STEMWorks.
myself this week. I’ve been a proud member of this wonderful club since 2015, and was sponsored by then President Glen Bailey. Since then, I’ve served as the International Service Chair, Rotaract Faculty Advisor, and President. What I love about this club is the diversity of personalities, professions, and passions. Because of my membership in Rotary, I’ve met some amazing people in this club and beyond, and I’m looking forward to meeting many more in the future. Here’s my story…
