The Rotary clubs of Maui begin a new cycle.They wake up at dawn to clear litter from roadways, spend hours collecting cans of food for the hungry, and send humanitarian aid to places they may never visit—for men, women and children they may never meet. And they do all of this of their own free will, without the promise of fame or the reward of a paycheck. Their actions are inspired by a spirit of giving, and by a universal doctrine of fairness, truth, goodwill and friendship.
They are the members of Rotary International; groups of men and women who give so much of themselves—and do not expect anything in return.
Rotary International is the world’s first volunteer service club organization, with more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and 1.2 million members worldwide. Guided by a philosophy of “Service above Self,” Rotary is an example of strength in numbers and humanity in motion—proof that change is possible when individuals join together to make a difference in the lives of others.
For Maui’s eight Rotary clubs, the calendar year ended June 30, and as each club installed new officers and welcomed new members, they also celebrated a year of major successes. From securing grant monies for orphanages in Siberia and cataract surgeries in India, to collecting school supplies and providing scholarships to island youth, Maui’s Rotarians did not waste any time this year—and their efforts did not go unnoticed.
On Saturday, May 24, members of more than 40 Rotary clubs from across the state convened at the Wailea Marriott Resort & Spa for the Rotary International District 5000 Conference. Prior to the event, each District 5000 club was evaluated for its annual performance according to Rotary International’s “Avenues of Service,” which include Community, Club, Vocational, International and New Generations (youth projects). Presidents from each club submitted information regarding their club’s activities in each category during the 2007-08 Rotary International calendar. Submissions were reviewed by a screening committee for each category, and all finalists and first place winners were submitted to the district governor and conference chair to determine “Club of the Year” winners.
At the gala event, hundreds of Rotarians from across the state arrived in Wailea dressed in “red carpet” attire, eager to pay tribute to some of Hawai‘i’s most outstanding Rotary clubs. In an entertaining, Academy Award-style ceremony, awards were presented in nine categories, including Rotary International Foundation Giving, Attendance, Membership Development, Membership Increase, Community Service, Club Service, Vocational Service, International Service and New Generations.
The Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise was awarded Club of the Year in the Small Club Division for earning top honors in Vocational, International, Club and Community Service, in addition to Attendance. The club was also a finalist for the New Generations Award, and received the Rotary International Presidential Citation, Rotary International Health and Hunger Citation, Rotary International Zone Literacy Award, District Literacy Award and the District Governor’s Citation.
The Rotary Club of Kihei-Wailea was presented with the award for Club of the Year in the Large Club Division for earning top honors in several categories, including Membership Development, International Service and New Generations. In addition, the club was honored with the Rotary International Presidential Citation, Rotary International Health and Hunger Citation, Rotary International Zone Literacy Award, District Literacy Award and the District Governor’s Citation.
For anyone who wants to make a difference—and make some lasting friendships in the process—becoming a Rotarian is an opportunity to change lives around the world. From the sandy coastline of West Maui to the crisp mountain air of Upcountry, there are several clubs to choose from, including Kahului, Kihei Sunrise, Kihei-Wailea, Lahaina, Lahaina Sunrise, Maui Club, Upcountry and Wailuku. Weekly meetings for each club vary by date and time. For more information about Maui’s Rotary clubs, or to learn more about membership, contact Maui Rotary Assistant District Governor Paige Fontaine at agpaige@earthlink.net or
874-0360, or Michael Nathan at mnathan@aol.com. For more information about Rotary International, visit www.rotary.org.