Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset
District 5000 - Club Number 31173
Chartered December 15th, 1995
Meets: Thursday 6:00 p.m. - Waikiki Yacht Club, Honolulu
P.O. Box 17040
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Tel: (808) 847-0141
Fax: (808) 847-0142
info@honolulusunsetrotary.com
Objective
The main objective of Rotary is service — in the community, in the workplace, and
throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address
many of today's most critical issues such as children at risk, poverty and hunger,
the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth;
educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and
other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is
Service Above Self.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors 2007/2008
- President - Milton Ito
- Vice-President/President-Elect - Rita Cassella
- Secretary - Yoshie Weems
- Treasurer - Douglas Kam-young
- Immediate Past President - Samir El-Swaify
- Club Service Directors - Kevin Lui & Harvey Oakes
- Community Service Director - Al Clark
- International Service Director - Chuck Harris
- New Generations Service Director - Kathy Doering
- Vocational Service Director - Paul Jurcsak
Other Key Chairpersons
- Rotary Foundation Chair - Rich Zegar
- Sergeant at Arms - Walter Killough Jr.
- Program chair - Jim Hoban
- Newsletter Editors - Rosemarie White
Club History
An evening Rotary Club here in Hawai'i had been the vision of many Rotarians who
have had the opportunity to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of an evening Rotary Club
so prevalent in Europe and the rest of the Rotary world. A vision is just a vision
until someone takes the action to make it happen. Like Paul Harris, the “Founder”
of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset was not the Charter President. David Choate
secured the blessing of District Governor Peter Muller and the support of The Rotary
Club of Honolulu as our “sponsoring club.”
With the guidance of veteran Chartering Rotarian Harold Estes, who had helped to
start three previous new clubs in Hawai'i, the process began. With the help and enthusiasm
of several Rotarians from other clubs, including Karyl Choate from Metropolitan
Honolulu Rotary and Ayman El-Dakhakhni and Joe Phillips from the Rotary Club of
Waikiki, the paperwork and charter requirements were completed and recruiting ensued.
By this time, a few Rotary members from other clubs caught wind of the new evening
club and showed an interest in joining to share their Rotary experience and knowledge
with the newly recruited Rotarians.
The first organizational meeting of invited prospective members was held on November
7, 1995, at the Sheraton Waikiki. Invited Rotary dignitaries serving on the extension
committee included District Governor Peter Muller, the DG’s Special Representative
PG William Bains-Jordan, and the DG’s Area Representative, Linda Coble. Also addressing
prospective members were Hal Darcey, past president of the Rotary Club of Metropolitan
Honolulu; Sam Shenkus, past president of the Rotary Club of Ala Moana; and charter Honolulu
Sunset Rotarians David Choate, Karyl Choate, and Joe Phillips. Seasoned Rotarians
Ayman El-Dakhakhni and Charlie Weems were close at hand to help collect the membership
applications.
The Club was chartered on December 15, 1995, with 44 members. Only 10 of the charter
members were former Rotarians. Within one year it had grown by 40 percent. The Club
in the year 2006 stands at 74 members, with 36% women, and there are several husband-and-wife
couples in the club. Members come not only from across the United States but from
many
countries including Japan, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, China, Luxemburg,
the Philippines, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, the West Indies, Norway, Holland and Sweden.
Club Achievements
The Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset had been in existence just 6 months at the close
of its first Rotary year, yet this enthusiastic group of Rotarians took the District
5000 Small Club Award for Youth Activities under the leadership of Charter President
Joe Phillips.
This enthusiasm permeated the growing membership inspiring strong member participation
in all club, community and international projects, culminating in Honolulu Sunset
Rotary's being recognized for its accomplishments as “Club of the Year” for the next
two Rotary years under the leadership of President David Choate (1996/1997) and
President Ayman El-Dakhakhni (1997/1998). The accomplishments made under President
Win Schoneman (1998/1999) were no less astounding, with total contribution to the
Rotary Foundation reaching an amazing $535 per capita.
In the 1999/2000 Rotary year, Honolulu Sunset Rotary was not only graced with its
first woman president, but the youngest Rotary President ever in Hawaii – President
Gloria Chen led the club with such direction and inspiration that Honolulu
Sunset was again recognized as “Club of the Year” for its outstanding accomplishments.
Additional “Club of the Year” awards were earned under the
leadership of President John Nitao (2001/2002), President Karyl Choate (2002/2003),
President Harry Kubota (2003/2004), President Hans Kolb (2004/2005), and President Samir El-Swaify (2006/2007).