Thursday, January 27, 2011

Why can't we all just get along?



This week, Honolulu Sunrise was honored to have Frances I. Mossman, JD, AICP, Brig/General, USAF (Ret) as our speaker. She is President of the Hawaii International Dispute Resolution Group LLC. The company helps businesses from different countries maintain successful relationships and avoid cross-border litigation by providing multicultural dispute prevention. Their current emphasis is on the Asia-Pacific region. To learn more, contact her at Hawaii.IDR.group@earthlink.net





We welcomed guests Frank Alexich, Helena von Sydow and Rebecca Akina--who will be inducted as a new member next Monday!

Dawn Soderquist-Okano presented the day's inspiration about the positive effect of Rotary on our children, and shared how it opened new doors for her son, Danny.

Nancy Walden presented an update on eGlobal Family. Phearun, a former student at Future Life Orphanage, didn't think he had a future until he went to FLO. Now, he is pursuing his dream at the University of Hawaii. Nancy will be leaving for Indonesia and Cambodia next week and can take small gifts for your foster children.

President Amin gave a brief report on last week's ethnic dinner at Himalayan Cafe. Stay tuned for the next dinner!

Event Update
This Sunday: Hike Maunawili Demonstration Trail. Contact President Paul Sibley at outdoorsmile@yahoo.com for details.

Reading project with Hawaii Literacy in February and April. To sign up, contact janicehtaketa@mac.com.

Remember to bring in your Polio Plus boxes.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Rotarian of the Week: Mei Nakamoto

MEI NAKAMOTO has been practicing law for over 25 years. She worked in San Francisco for five years as an attorney with business litigation and insurance defense law firms, and then returned to Hawaii in 1989. She continued her work in the area of business litigation with the Hawaii law firm of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing until 1998, when she became a staff attorney at Domestic Violence Clearinghouse & Legal Hotline (now Domestic Violence Action Center) and began her career as a family law practitioner. In 2001, Ms. Nakamoto started her private practice and has continued working with clients who have child custody, alimony, domestic violence and property division issues in divorce and other family law-related cases.

A graduate of Farrington High School (1975), University of Hawaii at Manoa (B.Ed. with distinction and B.S. 1980 with distinction) and Northwestern University School of Law (Chicago) (J.D. 1984), Ms. Nakamoto is a member of the Hawaii and California bar associations (inactive in California), Hawaii Women Lawyers, and the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise (President 2005-06)). Married with two teenaged daughters, Ms. Nakamoto is a certified USA Swimming official and a volunteer at Hawaiian Swimming age-group meets, a volunteer with the Special Olympics aquatics competitions, and a volunteer with the First Circuit Court’s Kids First Program and as an appointed master in the Volunteer Settlement Master Program.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Rotarian of the week: Jo Archibald

Jo Archibald is a senior copywriter at MVNP (formerly known as Milici Valenti Ng Pack), Hawaii' largest advertising agency. She was hired to write for former client Ala Moana Center and is currently the lead writer for First Hawaiian Bank. Jo also assists with HVCB’s online site, gohawaii.com; Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii, McDonald’s of Hawaii and Hawaiian Telcom.

Her 20-year career has taken her from a UH graphic design degree to production art in LA, a sobering (horrible pay) reality returning to Hawaii, then exciting twists and turns as she became a jr. art director, broadcast producer and finally a writer.

She describes advertising as the best field for anyone who loves constant learning. Drawing on her numerous college jobs and life experiences, Jo has written on topics as diverse as health care, financial planning, workers' compensation, executive security, fashion, jewelry-making, luxury real estate, sustainable energy, fundraising and how to choose the perfect steak.

Her latest interests are taking her into editorial writing, blogging and social media. Last year, Jo got her toes wet with two articles in Pacific Edge Magazine. She also blogs for MVNP at naturallyhi.com and for rotaryhonolulusunrise.org.

Jo’s freelance company is BluFish LLC. You can view her print portfolio at issuu.com/joarch. Her favorite things are chasing her children, cooking, eating, and camping with Honolulu Sunrise.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

WE ARE CREATING THE FUTURE



Today's topic was "The Challenges of Organizational Change," presented by Dr. Tod Outlaw of Wayland Baptist University (WBA). He provided examples of major companies that recreated their own future, including WBA which transformed its campus from a traditional classroom-based school to having a strong online program. Click here to learn more about Dr. Outlaw at WBA, or email him at outlawm001@hawaii.rr.com

A touching morning
PP Dave Erdman started the morning with a quote from "Life is Like an Artichoke," a book by former Sunrise PP Linda Wheeler. We also observed a moment of silence for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the victims of the Arizona shooting.


Honolulu Sunrise was pleased to welcome guests Liz Kane, District 5000 Assistant Governor for Central Oahu Clubs; Jack Ballentine from San Francisco, and Rebecca Ahina of ImageTeQ (with Jay Jurick) and Rotarian Bob from Huntsville, Ohio.

Nolan Pong announced that we will be working on a Weinberg Foundation project this spring.

Reading project with Hawaii Literacy
Take up a book and inspire a child as we partner with Hawaii Literacy from 3-5pm on the dates below. Sign up with janicehtaketa@mac.com

February 4 & April 1 – Kalihi Park Terrace
February 11 & April 8 – Mayor Wright Family Library

Hawaii Youth Scholarship Foundation Search
Mei Nakamoto announced the search has begun for outstanding seniors to receive $5,000 or $2,000 scholarships sponsored by our club.

Friday, January 7, 2011

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS



A Tongan professor once told guest speaker Ian Masterson, "Follow your bliss." And he did. Bringing together his interest in archeology and his passion for surfing, Ian shared insights into the Hawaiian cultural and historical aspects of surfing. To learn more visit www.thesurfprofessor.com

"Make it a great 2011!"
That was Monday's inspirational message by PP Dave Mozdren. One night while reflecting on a challenging 2010, he peeked in on his son who was sleeping peacefully without a care in the world. It reminded Dave that he--and we--have it pretty good after all. Here's to a great New Year!

Best wishes to Lennie Carlson 
Doug Carlson's wife, Lennie, is in a wheelchair following a leg injury several months ago. You can send good wishes to: doug@commaaina.com.

Mahalo from Voyager School 
Students from Voyager Public Charter School wrote thank you notes for the dictionaries donated by our club. Thanks for helping students succeed in school!

Polio Plus Reminder
President Paul Sibly said to remember to bring in your Polio Plus box filled with loose change! Every penny counts.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS.



On the Monday before Christmas, PP Bill Gaeth opened our meeting with an inspiration about a boy who discovers that by bringing joy to others, anyone can be Santa Claus.



It was the perfect introduction to Ulu Langi, Director of Hawaii H-5 and the Next Step shelter in Kakaako, who talked about the struggles facing the homeless in Hawaii, especially the working poor.




Honolulu Sunrise members and Girl Scout Troop 2073 donated food items and packed over 80 holiday baskets/trays along with heartfelt notes of encouragement for people at Next Step. It was a meeting to remember—and be proud of. Hawaii H-5/Next Step shelter is a 501 c-3 non profit. Learn more at hawaiih5.org



Aloha Guests


Honolulu Sunrise was proud to welcome visiting Rotarian Hiroshi Suginome from the Sapporo/Hokkaido Club in Japan; Robert Wu's guests son, Alan, and Metro Rotarian Brian "Disco" Bennett; Rob Hail's son, Henry, and Utu Langi from Hawaii H-5/Next Step shelter; resident Paul Sibley's family Courtney, Aiden and Tristan; and Jo Archibald's daughter, Anna and her Girl Scout Troop 2073.

Girl Power


Mahalo to the many Rotarians who purchased Girl Scout cookie tickets in support of Troop 2073 and Operation Girl Scout Cookie. Thanks to your generosity, 97 boxes will be donated to US troops deployed overseas. The troop will also donate 20% of their profits, or $13.56 toward Polio Plus.

Friday, December 17, 2010

SEE THE ALOHA. BE THE ALOHA.

Honolulu Sunrise got off to a positive start this week with guest speaker June Dillinger and the Ike Pono team who shared their vision of transformation through living with aloha.

Mollie Sperry and Robert Wu with the Ike Pono Quest Team.


New Member Kelly McCanlies
Honolulu Sunrise was proud to initiate our newest Rotarian, Kelly McCanlies, sponsored by President-Elect Amin Leiman.



Welcome guests
We also welcomed visiting Rotarian David and Carmen Torgler from Levinworth, Washington; Liz Kane, District 5000 Assistant Governor Central Oahu Clubs. Clockwise from the top: Susi Taylor, June Nakamura, Carolyn Hiatt, Carmen Torgler, David Torgler and Liz Kane.


President-Elect Amin Leiman
Amin Leiman received his President-Elect pin from President Paul Sibley.


Honolulu Sunrise honors multiple Paul Harris Fellows
Contributions to The Rotary Foundation support our goal of advancing international understanding, goodwill, and peace. Participation in the Paul Harris Society is an especially meaningful and significant commitment, and reflect the ideals of Rotary founder, Paul Harris. We are proud to congratulate the following Paul Harris Fellows:

Paul Harris + 8
When it comes to dedication, Mel Hertz is in a league of his own with a heartfelt Paul Harris + 8. He is congratulated by Foundation Chair Dave Mozdren and President Paul Sibley.


Paul Harris + 4
Former Foundation Chair, Ed Cassella, rises to the occasion with a outstanding Paul Harris + 4.


Paul Harris + 2

Dave Mozdren, Jerry Hofwolt, Rob Hail, June Nakamura and Joe Rice are congratulated by President Paul Sibley for their generous Paul Harris + 2 contributions to the Rotary International Foundation. This is the spirit that makes Honolulu Sunrise—and Rotary—an incredible force for good.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Rotarian of the Week: Allen Kamemoto


Allen Kamemoto, CFP, CLU, has been working for 30 years as an independent Insurance Agent and Financial Planner. 

He is a Lifetime Member of the Life Insurance Million Dollar Round Table and received the Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. Distinguished Producer Growth Award in 2004. He was a consistent qualifier of the Pinnacle Club, a recognition program of the top 5 percent of Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. Representatives nationwide. Allen was named the 2002 Insurance and Financial Advisor Professional of the Year award by the Hawaii Association of Financial Advisors.

Allen Kamemoto retired from the US Army Reserve as a Colonel with over 30 years of service. He is the former president of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise. He is also a fifteen year member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and a twenty-two year member of the Financial Planners Association of Hawaii.

Allen graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu and earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii and an MBA in Production Management from the University of Oregon. His hobbies include golf, tennis and world travel. He is an Investment Advisor Representative with Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.

Phone: (808) 527-8880

RADIATION: OUT OF THE DARK


Mahalo to Dr. Meagher (aka father-in-law to President Paul Sibley) spoke in depth about the various levels and implications of ionized radiation exposure from the CT scans that are increasing in use to the airport scanners. A broad overview of the various exposure levels that are produced and the rise in certain cancer risk factors were discussed as well as the safe levels of radiation. He also described the future of medicine without radiation type imaging but rather individual targeted genomic therapy. If you'd like a hard copy of his presentation, please contact President Sibley at outdoorsmile@yahoo.com

Holiday Party December 11, 5:30 pm
See you at the potluck at Mid-Pacific Institute, President’s residence. Please RSVP if you haven’t already. Mahalo to Joe and Florence Rice.

Dawn Soderquist mentioned the continued need by the Foodbank and will accept food donations at the Holiday Party, as well as any cash donations. A collection bowl will be available at the party.

Helping handicapped adults achieve independence in Indonesia
Rob Hail announced that Honolulu Sunrise approved the purchase of a mixer to support young handicapped adults in Jogyakarta who are trying to provide for themselves. The $550 "mixer" will be used to prepare breads, pastries and cookies. Our Jogyakarta partner Rotary club will be buying the oven and the organization for the young handicapped adults will be buying the associated trays and utensils. The purchase, implementation and follow up with pictures, etc. will be provided by the Jogya Rotary Club.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

RETURNING CAMBODIA TO CAMBODIANS


Last week’s speaker, Professor of Archeology Miriam Stark, shared information about her projects in the Ankor region. She is helping Cambodian archeology students to become leading scholars on Cambodian history. miriams@hawaii.edu

In Brief
Sunrise welcomed Rob Hail’s guest, Angela Ung. PP Carolyn Hiatt, dressed in her winter coat, reminded us all how nice it is to be in Hawaii rather than Chicago. George Moyer announced that Jeff Powers of Global Health Network Organization is initiating an online Christmas giving project that will help to fund water projects in Africa. See ghni.org

Christmas Party Dec. 11
Invite past members, prospective members, friends and family to our Honolulu Sunrise Christmas party on Dec. 11, 5:30pm at Mid-Pacific Institute. Potluck.

Foundation Giving
DD Dave Mozdern says “Close 2010 with a generous contribution to Rotary International!”

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

HELPING VILLAGES HELP THEMSELVES.



This week’s speaker was Jeff Power , U.S. Director of Partnerships Development for Global Hope Network International (GHNI). His job is to match partners, such as churches and community groups, with poor villages in Africa, the Mid-East and Asia. GHNI’s goal is for the village to achieve self-sustainability within 3 to 5 years in the following categories: income, water, food, wellness (including hygiene and waste management) and education.

Each village involved with the program is required to actively participate in the effort and must demonstrate a willingness to help themselves. GHNI’s process requires success in five areas: 1) local ownership, 2) trained guidance, 3) compassionate partners, 4) measurable results and 5) a healthy exit.

Follow Jeff on twitter or his blog.
Learn about Global Hope Network International


Welcome to Indonesia

This morning, Sunrisers were treated to a special presentation on Indonesia by Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Ghina Raida Asilia from Jakarta. She is being hosted with Ken and Gail Markus, and attending Le Jardin on a full scholarship thanks to the efforts of Le Jardin 5th grade teacher Carolyn Hiatt and Director of Admissions Susie Taylor. Ghina is our club’s second Indonesian exchange student. Last year we sponsored Tya Noor.

Also, welcome to guests Gail Markus, Kelly McCanlies, Jeff DuPonte and Virgil Stinnit.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Rotarian of the Week: Mohammad Rouf


Asbestos and lead abatement. Construction site safety. Field sampling. Environmental assessments. Industrial hygiene.

Who do you call? Mohammad Rouf.

Mohammad Rouf is president of Globeteck, a rapidly growing environmental company with offices in Hawaii and Guam, and contractors in Hawaii, Alaska, Korea and Japan.

In over-simplified terms, Globetech handles complicated environmental issues so your new development, construction site or business can continue working. Their expertise is both diverse and comprehensive, ranging from archeological surveys, soil sampling and environmental assessments to the identification, evaluation and elimination of hazardous materials and maintenance of healthy work environments. More importantly, Globetech helps companies adhere to the complex Federal and State regulations that governs these issues, thereby helping them avoid litigious situations and stay on track.

For the full environmental impact of all that Globetech can do, call Mohammad at 833-5787 or visit globeteckgroup.com.

Monday, November 8, 2010

LOCO FOR COCOA

This week, our dynamic programs co-chairs Mollie Sperry and Nancy Walden brought us Seneca Klassen, founder and managing partner of Kokoleka O’Ka Aina, LLC, a Hawaii partnership dedicated to creating the world’s first carbon-neutral “tree-to-chocolate bar” agra-tourism chocolate company. To learn more, email Seneca at seneca@kokachocolate.com or visit http://kokachocolate.wordpress.com.











Welcome to Guests
Asst. DG Liz Kane, returning guest and prospective member Kelly McCanlies; Bettie Bernie's guest Jack Ballentine, Kim's father Al Green, Mahalo to greeters Charlie DuBoyce and Joe Rice.







Merrymaker’s Boutique
This weekend marks Margit’s 28th annual Christmas craft fair boutique on Friday and Saturday featuring handcrafted gifts, jams, jellies and cranberry chutney. $100 will benefit the Rotary International Foundation. For details, email watts@hawaii.edu.

Aloha Dollars for JoJakarta
We collected aloha dollars for earthquake donations for “bentos” for needy volcano victims in Jojakarta. Each meal costs about 60¢.

Annual Fundraiser Means Fun


PP Bill Gaeth announced that in light of the economy, Business Gameplan will be replaced by a dining fundraiser. Stay tuned for delicious details.

Do it Anyway


Robert Wu presented this week’s inspiration, featuring the Ten Paradoxical Commandments by (former Sunrise member) Dr. Kent M. Keith, which are excellent words to live by:

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Rotarian of the Week: Joe Ferraro


In 1988, Joe Ferraro, FAIA, LEED AP, and Gerald Choi founded Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd., an environmentally-oriented architectural and interior design firm operating in Honolulu and New York. Joe and Gerald were Hawaii’s first LEED accredited professional architects and have been recognized for numerous sustainable designs. Among their most notable accomplishments are designs for the National Science Foundation’s Crary Science and Technology Laboratory at McMurdo Station in Antartica and the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a $200,000,000 research facility at the bottom of the earth.

Ferraro Choi is currently working on the new Pacific Regional Center for NOAA at Ford Island and the UH Information Technology Center, both LEED registered projects.

Joe is a Fellow of the Honolulu Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Hawaii State Council and serves as president of the Hawaii Architectural Foundation. He is also a graduate of Pratt Institute and the UH School of Architecture, and remains active as a member of the UH School of Architecture Advisory Committee, an adjunct professor for the School’s doctoral degree Practicum program and advisor to UH’s Sea Grant College Program.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

I SAY "BRITANNIA," YOU SAY "BERETANIA"


How did Beretania Street get its name? What happened to the ponds in Kapiolani Park? Where is the best petroglyph site on Oahu? Today’s guest speaker, Professor Willis H A Moore, gave us a taste of Honolulu’s fascinating history. He is a teacher at Chaminade University, former education coordinator at Bishop Museum, world traveler, author, lecturer with the Hawai’i Geographic Society and the National Audubon Society, founding member of the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, and walking encyclopedia. If you enjoyed his presentation, join him for a Hawaii Geographic Society Walking Trek through Honolulu (just $15 per person with a 2-person minimum) at hawaiigeographhicsociety@gmail.com or 808-538-3952.

New Friends



Today we were also glad to welcome three guests: potential member Kelly McCanlies, guest of President-Elect Amin Leiman; Al Green, father of Kim Green; and visiting Rotarian Mark Malculinski from the Rotary Club of Toledo, Ohio, the 13th largest Rotary Club in the world. Mahalo to Margit for inspiring us to live in the present and remember that “today matters.”


Familiar Faces