Due to Hurricane Lane, we will not have our regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 23. Be safe, and we'll see you next week.

On Thursday, February 5, 2015, we will be meeting in Ballroom #1 instead of the Paddler's Restaurant.

Rotary Club of Kona members and guests are working at the MEC Golf Tournamet, our annual fundraiser !!!

See you at Hualalai.

I am happy to report Sunday's "Project Compassion" event benefiting Rotary’s "POLIO PLUS" was very successful.  Total funds raised was $7,052.07; of which $370.12 was 20% of net sales, $408.76 was tips and remainder was mug sales, sponsorships and individual donations.

The next event is scheduled for February 22nd for the benefit of "THE PREGNANCY CENTER".  We'll look forward to seeing you all there!   

Mahalo to the many Volunteers, Rotarians & Denny's for all your support & hard work!   

Cheers!
Holly DeGeal
​Project Compassion, Chairperson

On Thursday, September 11, 2014 the Rotary Club of Kona presented a $25,000 check to the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation.  The funds will be added to the investment funds of the foundation with the interest and dividends used to fund our club's annual scholarships.   Each year we present $14,000 in scholarships.  In 2014 we added 8 additional scholarships.  All scholarships are presented to students attending schools in West Hawaii who are continuing their education at the community college, college and university level.

Acting President of Rotary Club of Kona, Alan Clark, presenting the check to Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation President Ken Kjer

It appears that a number of Rotarians will not be able to attend the meeting today as they prepare for the approaching Hurricane / Storm Iselle.  Thus, the Regular Meeting of the Rotary Club of Kona has been CANCELED.

In addition, the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation Annual Meeting scheduled for 1:00 pm today, has also been CANCELED.

Be Safe and we'll see you all next Thursday, August 14, 2014.

This Week At the Rotary Club of Kona
Presentation of Community Awards
The Rotary Club of Kona is Pleased to Acknowledge

GRETCHEN LAWSON
For her many years of service to the Kona Community
Including her work at the ARC of Kona

WEST HAWAII COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
For the many years of service and leadership in health care in our Kona Community

ROBYN GRACE
For her many years of service and gracious hospitality to our
Rotary Members and Guests

  As I said at Saturday's fabulous Installation Dinner, we've had a good year of building up our club! We not only won the award for the largest percentage membership increase in the District, but we're bringing in two more new members this week!  You've all helped to make this a great year, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve again as your president.  It seems to me that we've also built up our friendships and fellowship, while providing ever-increasing service to our community and the world. 

  As I'm sure all of you know, almost all of the good things that we did this year depended heavily on the skills, energy and enthusiasm of Liz Heiman, our Vice President and now President for the 2014-15 Rotary year.  I can't thank her enough for all she's done, and I feel that convincing her to take on this 3-year commitment (PE, Pres, PP) is an important part of what I've been able to do for our club as president.  MAHALO Liz!

  As noted at Saturday's gala, all of the members of the Leadership Team made major contributions to the success of this year.  I won't go through all the kudos and mahalo again here, but I especially want to thank Chrys Yamasaki for her continuing service as editor of the Coffee Blossom.  She continues to maintain the high standards and helpful content that have made our newsletter one of the best around for many years.  She was the Coffee Blossom editor when I was club president in 2001-02 and it was a great relief to me when she agreed to continue again this year.  I've relied heavily on her organizational and publication skills both times - and she's similarly served several other club presidents in the intervening 12 years. MAHALO Chrys!

  This also seems like the appropriate place to announce officially the special awards that we gave on Saturday to three Rotarians who've gone above and beyond the call of Service Above Self this year:

Quiet Rotarian - Tom Fine
Tom's always there helping, and generally too busy to take credit for all he does.

Outstanding New Rotarian - Kimber DeVerse
Kimber jumps in to volunteer when things need doing and she's learning rapidly how to accomplish things in Rotary.

Rotarian of the Year - James Resor
James has thrown himself into every project and greatly improved all that we've done this year - and we're really pleased that he's agreed to be our VP-President Elect this next year.

Mahalo to every one of you in the club for making this year so successful - and fun!

A Hui Hou,  Tom Daniel,
  Club President, 2013-14

Join us Thursday, May 8, 2014 for a BBQ lunch at the Old Airport Beach Park. 
Bring a friend.   Email your RSVP to brian@konaimpact.com no later than Tuesday, May 6th

Sunday, April 14, 2014, the Project Compassion event at Denny's will raise funds for Therapeutic Horsemanship of Kona.  Please come, enjoy fellowship and support this great organization.

The Rotary Club of Kona is offering up to eight (8) scholarships to students currently enrolled at Hawaii Community College - West Hawaii who have earned at least 24 credits and who are working toward an Associate Degree or Assoicate of Applied Science Degree. 
The scholarships are for $1,000 spread over two semesters.  Application forms are available through the school counselor and on the club website at www.RotaryClubofKona.com (in the downloads column).  Applications are due no later than March 30, 2014.  

The Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation is accepting scholarship applications from West Hawaii public and private high school seniors for three scholarships.
The $4,000 Jim and Sis Bedingfield Scholarship is paid out in four annual installments and the $8,000 Ken and Marge Clewett Scholarship is paid out in four annual installments. Eligible students for either scholarship are generally those who would have difficulty continuing their education without some type of financial assistance. Candidates are evaluated on five areas: scholastic and academic achievement; leadership, personal involvement on campus; community service and activities; extracurricular activities, employment experience; and financial need.
The $1,000 Ron and Kathy Hawkes Vocational Scholarship is paid out in two annual installments. Students planning to attend a vocational/trade school are invited to apply for the scholarship.
Applications for any of the above scholarships are available from any school guidance counselor or by contacting Peggy Peckham at 326-1101. The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2014.
For more information about the foundation and how to support it with a tax-deductible contribution, contact Ken Kjer at 937-0500

Pro Am January 15 and 16th
Tournament January 17, 18, and 19th

  Yes, it is time to start gearing up for our 2014 Champion's Tour opener! Mahalo for your interest in volunteering for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Resort. Each year over 400 caring individuals volunteer to support the tournament in a variety of positions - making it one of the best events all year for the professionals of the Champions Tour.
  Over the past 16 years the PGA Champions Tour, The Four Season's Resort at Hualalai, and the Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation have partnered in managing this tour opener for the Championship Tour. The end result allows for charity contributions to come back into the West Hawaii and Big Island Community These donations help with deserving improvement projects, scholarships, Eyesight testing in primary school grades, Junior Golf Programs and more!
  It is amazing to be a part of such a wonderful benefit for our community and residents and all this is not possible without you hard working, fun loving, dedicated Volunteers of Aloha!
  Thank you again for your interest. In order to participate, please look below and click on the Volunteer Registration tab. Complete the entire form as indicated and click where indicated to submit your registration.
  You will also be able to check our online Bulletin Board for information on golf privilege, Mahalo Party, uniforms, schedules and more!
  Please go to the Bulletin Board on the web site  www.HualalaiVolunteers.org   We have posted assignments under the "Volunteer Assignment Listings" topic (Here is a link http://hualalaivolunteers.org/bb/viewforum.php?f=17  ).  You will need to go to the most recent posting and open the attached file for the Volunteer Alphabetical Listing with Assignments.  Scroll through the report to find your name and listed assignments.  More detailed information regarding assignments can then be found under each assignment group topic - such as "Golf Channel", "Marshals", or "Walking Scorers".  Let us know if you have any questions or conflicts regarding your assignments.
  More emails will be coming soon detailing the dates and times for shirt sales, volunteer requirements, and golf privilege play.    Assignments are still on-going, so continue to be patient if your requests have not yet been filled.  We will be making updates to the Bulletin Board as changes and additions warrant it - which will be almost daily going forward. Thank you for your support and please call or email (Mgt@HualalaiVolunteers.org ) if you have any questions.
  Thank you again for your interest. In order to participate, please look below and click on the Volunteer Registration tab. Complete the entire form as indicated and click where indicated to submit your registration.
  You will also be able to check our online Bulletin Board for information on golf privilege, Mahalo Party, uniforms, schedules and more!

  Just a reminder that we'll be having our session, to continue and complete development of the three-year strategic plan for our club, on Saturday afternoon, November 16th. 

  Liz Heiman has offered to host and lead this session at her home, and to follow it up with a potluck spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Nov. 16th.  We'll run the planning session from 2:30-4:30 and plan to start eating, etc. about 5 pm.  Liz will cook up some spaghetti, so we'll have a great meal if everyone brings something to drink, a salad, a dessert - or more spaghetti. This should be a good chance to get to know some of your fellow Rotarians in a more relaxed social setting than our formal meetings.  Let us know if you need directions or transportation to Liz' home and we'll try to help.

  As noted before, Rotary provides a complete guide to this Strategic Planning process, so it'll be really helpful if you've looked through that before the event.  The Guide (strategic_planning_guide_en.pdf) and our partly completed plan (Rotary Club of Kona Planning 2013-14.doc) are available in our club DropBox at Rotary/Planning/.  Please contact me, Liz or Brian if you need help accessing the Dropbox.

  Look forward to seeing most of you at Liz' house on Nov. 16th - and, of course at our regular meeting on Thursday

At Kealakehe High School we pride ourselves in building Relationships to foster Respect where all are Responsible to each other as we persist towards "Unity and Harmony Through Dynamic Education and Community for Everyone Every Time."  Although we are the youngest high school in the district the WaveRider legacy is exemplary citizens who are high performing in all venues of life.  In academics, athletics, the arts and as people the country is sprinkled with WaveRiders doing good things.

   Our logo, the WR wave breaking towards a starburst, was the design of one of our Physics teachers and serves as the inspiration to our students that they are riding the Wave towards a future yet to be discovered in the 21st. century.  Like the ancestors of the host culture who navigated their path to Hawaii, we expect our students to use their knowledge and skills to navigate Hawaii to a better place in the future.

   Kealakehe High serves about 1600 students living in diverse communities spanning 50 miles in West Hawaii.  We work to make education dynamic, relevant, rigorous and fun.  As the largest public high school on the Big Island, we work hard to model how communities should be as we live, learn and play together.

   I invite and encourage you to take a virtual tour through the website to get a feel of who we are.  I extend an open invitation to you to visit our campus and meet us.  E Komo Mai, come and join us; let's do education together.  http://www.khswaveriders.org

   Me Ke Aloha Pumehana,

  Wilfred F. Murakami

As Message from President Tom Daniel:

Aloha Kona Rotarians!

  Thanks to all who helped make last week's meeting at the West Hawaii Civic Center work so well -  and to those who helped with and participated in Sunday night's Project Compassion to support the Keiki Project of Hawaii Island United Way. 

  This Thursday we'll be back at our regular venue at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel (that's sure a mouthful!!).  The meeting will be a Club Assembly devoted to strategic planning for the rest of this Rotary Year, and Liz Zagorodney has agreed to repeat her great job of conducting the session.  Please come, enjoy fellowship and lunch, and help us plan our upcoming activities.  We need to have all of the service chairs at least represented - and it'll be a great opportunity for new members to get an overall picture of what's happening.

Our meeting space at the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott Hotel will be unavailable this week, so we're meeting instead in the Gazebo in front of Bldg G West Hawaii Civic Center at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI .  Meeting time is the usual  NOON on Thursday, 19 September 2013 

Dave Buehler has offered to provide Box lunches from Buns in the Sun, but he needs to know your order particulars.  The lunch options are: sandwich (turkey, ham, roast beef, tuna salad or veggie), chips, cookie and fruit or a salad (chicken Caesar, oriental chicken or chef).

If you didn't sign up for this meeting and indicate your lunch preferences at last Thursday's meeting, please call or email me with your rsvp and your lunch desires so I can add you to the list.  (There are 12 signed up so far.) 

The program will be talks from some of our new members about their vocations/avocations, coordinated by our Vocational Service Chair, Jim Lightner.  If you'd like to participate in the program, please contact Jim at 325-0911.

This Week At the Rotary Club of Kona
Rotarians—Up Close and Personal

This week's meeting we will be mapping out our club's Rotary Year.  All Club members are encouraged to attend and help the leadership team and President Tom set the foundation for the months to come.

Aloha Energizers!

  Our year has begun! I hope you’re all as excited as I am as we head into this new adventure. RI President Ron Burton’s theme is Engage Rotary Change Lives and I know that District 5000 Rotarians are set to do just that. This year we will be emphasizing the WHY in Rotary: Why are we Rotarians, Why do believe in Service Above Self?

  We’re also emphasizing the FUN in Rotary. I’ve asked each club to begin a new fun tradition that will engage and excite their members. I’ve also asked each club to start a new project that takes service in a new direction.

  This is also the year when we stay Forever Young: Young in ideas, Young in spirit, Young in projects and Young in membership. We are continuing our successful Ignite membership program and are aiming for a 20% increase by June 2014. Recruiting is important but so is retention. Let’s be sure that every member is engaged and excited about Rotary and working to make this the best year ever for the club.

  The Rotary Foundation begins a new era this month with emphasis on larger, sustainable projects with a more lasting impact. Forty-six of the forty-nine District 5000 clubs have qualified to receive funds and are in the process of deciding how to spend their allocations. Given the larger size of matching grants ($15,000 minimum) most clubs will need to cooperate to be able to participate. The District has identified three projects that clubs might wish to support to make it easier. There are also increased tracking, reporting and document storage requirements for both the clubs and the District. But the mission of the Foundation remains the same: To do good in our local communities and around the world.

   Every year brings new opportunities and that is especially true in 2013. I know that every club president is ready to have the best year ever for the club so, let’s go!    Aloha,        DG Phil

Let's Celebrate our Year  --  2013 Rotary of Kona Installation Dinner

 Saturday June 15, 2013  5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

At the Aston Kona by the Sea (75-6106 Ali'i Drive)

Tickets $40 per person   --  Aloha Attire 

Oceanside Pupus and Beverages 

Delicious Buffet Supper 

Special Appearance by Thomas Jaggar

RSVP! Tickets available at club meetings

 or call 808-938-3241 or email admin@regardingsales.com

Rotary GSE Team from Poland

Tri-club Social

Tuesday  April 23, 2013  - 5:30 pm

Rotarians and guests are invited meet the visiting Group Study Exchange Group from Poland and enjoy their presentation.  We are their 1^st stop in the state, so let’s show them our Big Island hospitality!

Where:  At Linda Jane Kelley’s Home

75- 5494 Keke Street

(Hualalai Farms off Mamalahoa*)

Bring a pupu or salad.  Main dish, desserts and beverages provided.

Please RSVP:  call 938-3241 or

email admin@regardingsales.com.

For more information about the team go to www.rotaryclubofkona.com

(*From Palani Junction go 3 miles. You will see Hualalai Farms on the Mauka side.  Gate will be open.  Go up ¾ mile. Take a left on Keke Street. 1^st house on the left.  Park on the street.  Kelley cell:  936-0469)

 Please Mark your calendars.

October 26th we will be assembling furniture and hanging pictures for the kids rooms at the Mamac home that we sponsored in the Habitat Blitz Build.

There will be a Halloween pot luck at 5:30 when the kids get to see thei finished rooms. All are invited. Please bring a heavy pupu. Drinks will be provided.

November 4th is our Polia Plus Project Compassion. Please contact our new Rotarian, Lori, is you can help out or get a sponsor.

December 15th is our Food Basket tri-club Community Service Project. We will need volunteers to collect food for 4 hours at a local supermarket, volunteers with trucks to transport the food to the Food Basket and volunteers to help with the parade.

Also in November, dates and times to be determined, we will be doing our Keiki Vision project.

The club and the community thank you for your support.

Kona Alano Club.  Project compassion is a join effort between Denny's, Rotary Club of Kona and the individual non-profit organization.  Denny's will contribute a portion of each check, plus all of the tips.  Please join us.

The Volunteer forms are available on the Rotary Club of Kona Website (left side as a download). No need to login...anyone can download the form.  Email or fax the completed form as noted on the bottom of the form.

During the Week of January 16th to January 22nd the Rotary Club of Kona manages over 400 volunteers for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship Golf Tournament at Hualalai.

Since the Hawaii inception of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in 1997, the tournament has made a significant economic and charitable impact on Hawaii's Big Island community. Since the tournament's inception nearly $650,000 has been donated to various island charities, including the Rotary Club of Kona, Kealakehe High School and Big Island Junior Golf programs. 

Charitable donations from the tournament have helped support the complete turf renovation of the Kona Soccer fields and public park facilities in Kailua-Kona, fund the ESP Dance Club for girls, acquire state-of-the-art equipment for the local Kona hospital to diagnose and detect kidney stones and beautify the Kona Old Airport COmmunity Park and Walking/Jogging Paths.  The Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation also provides scholarship support to selected High School Seniors each year. 

Aloha Kona Rotarians,

   We are so close to eradicating polio.  As Rotarians, this is the battle we have chosen to fight.  For some of us that means going to Pakistan or Nigeria and giving vaccines to children.  For most of us, however, it means contributing to the fight through donations.  This year, all four West Hawaii Clubs have agreed to join forces and raise money to fight Polio on November 9th through the Project Compassion Polio Plus Fund Raiser at Denny’s in Kona.

   What can you do?
 Come eat dinner and bring a friend (or 2 or 3). 
  20% of the meal ticket goes to Polio Plus

   100% of the tip goes to Polio Plus
    100% of sponsorship dollars go to Polio Plus
  100% of auction sales go to Polio Plus
   $20 for each mug supports Polio Plus

   The Polio Plus Project Compassion is a great social event, and fund raiser that costs us nothing.  Please don’t miss this opportunity to join forces with the rest of the West Hawaii Clubs and Rotary Clubs across the world raising money to fight polio.

   IMPORTANT DATE:  If you can find a $250 sponsor, to commit before October 28, 2014 will have the opportunity to receive recognition on our signs and fliers for the event, as well as post-event reports.

   Sponsors can make their checks out to “Rotary International Polio Plus”

   This website is a portal to more ideas for supporting this cause:

http://www.endpolio.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/worldpolioday-toolkit-en.pdf?sfvrsn=2

   Everyone can make a big difference.  Thank you for acting quickly to gain support to eradicate polio worldwide.

 Kimber DeVerse

Rotary Club of Kona

International Service Chair

808 936-4198

Rotary Clubs of Kona present            

The 29th Annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 14, 2013   5:00 PM

   Kailua-Kona's Community Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 14, starting at 5:00 p.m., with primary sponsors the Rotary Clubs of Kona, Kona Mauka, and Kona Sunrise.   It will begin at Kona's Kekuaokalani Gym next to Kona Pool, go south on Kuakini, down Palani, and along Ali'i Drive to Walua Road, just past Coconut Grove Marketplace.  

  The parade theme this year is “Kona Kine Christmas!”.  Jerry Tracy, Artistic Director of the Aloha Performing Arts Company will be the parade’s Grand Marshal.  There will be approximately 70 entries in the parade, including community and corporate groups.  They’ll be numerous musical entries, and more than half of the entries will beautifully light up the evening, including HELCO’s Toy’s For Tots Train, and of course, Santa and his reindeer.

  The Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade will once again be supportive of Hawaii Island’s Food Basket, and parade entrants and parade attendees are encouraged to contribute what they can.  What better time of the year to give back a little something to help those who are struggling day to day to feed their families here on the Big Island.  

CHANGE OF MEETING PLACE

“THREE FAT PIGS” at Waikoloa King’s Shops

  We have an unusual opportunity this week to sample the fine food and learn about the background of the exciting new “Three Fat Pigs” at Waikoloa King’s Shops.

  “ The Three Fat Pigs is a Restaurant and Gastropub by Big Island native and “Food Network Star,” Chef Ippy Aiona. Pairing the freshest island ingredients with modern techniques, Chef Ippy is a young, innovative chef who is not afraid to combine flavors and textures that will offer you a delightfully unique gastronomic experience. Enjoy lakeside or indoor seating and a creative, whimsical menu that changes with the four seasons. Looking for more fun and libations? Join us upstairs at “The Thirsty Wolf Lounge,” a full-service bar that offers craft beers, signature cocktails, pub snacks and a charcuterie bar. The Three Fat Pigs is “THE” place to be on Hawai`i Island.

   We’ll have a great meal, and Chef Ippy himself will talk to us about his and the restaurant’s history, status and plans.

  If you did not sign up at last week’s  meeting, please call or email Steve at 886-8811 or steven.schwartz@am.jll.com to let him know you’ll be attending – and which of the three entrees in the attached menu you’d like to eat.  The menu will include Traditional Bruschetta, Small Waimea Garden Salad and your choice of

Fresh Catch of the day with Crispy Potatoes and roadster Tomatoes

OR—Baby back ribs with Kentucky BBQ sauce and roasted garlic mash and brussel sprouts

OR—BLT sandwich with pickled cherry tomatoes and homemade house BBQ Chips.

Followed by Lemon Sorbet.  All meals include you choice of coffee, tea or limeade.   This will be a fabulous bargain at our usual Rotary luncheon fee of $22/person, incl. tax & gratuity  

Rotary GSE Team from Poland

Tri-club Social

Tuesday  April 23, 2013  - 5:30 pm

Rotarians and guests are invited meet the visiting Group Study Exchange Group from Poland and enjoy their presentation.  We are their 1^st stop in the state, so let’s show them our Big Island hospitality!

Where:  At Linda Jane Kelley’s Home

75- 5494 Keke Street

(Hualalai Farms off Mamalahoa*)

Bring a pupu or salad.  Main dish, desserts and beverages provided.

Please RSVP:  call 938-3241 or

email admin@regardingsales.com.

For more information about the team go to www.rotaryclubofkona.com

(*From Palani Junction go 3 miles. You will see Hualalai Farms on the Mauka side.  Gate will be open.  Go up ¾ mile. Take a left on Keke Street. 1^st house on the left.  Park on the street.  Kelley cell:  936-0469)

download the forms from the link to the left "download files".

From Alan Clark, President of the Rotary Club of Kona:

Seventeen Years and Counting!  That is how long our club has been organizing the Champion Tour’s event at Hualalai.  It started with an idea and a yellow legal pad. 

It took many hours and lots of dedication to pull off the first event under heavy micro-managing.  Today it has evolved into what appears to be a very seamless operation that works like a clock.  As most of us know, it’s not that  easy.  We just make it look like it.  Many, Many, Many hours of preparation and hard work go into making this event the success that it is.  It starts a good six months before the gates open. 

When you see our Co-Chairs, Kris Hazard or Larry Webb, make sure you give them a big Mahalo for all the long hours they put into making this year’s tournament so successful.  Many, many thanks also go out to all the management team who put so many hours in before, throughout, and after the tournament. 

Thanks to all the Volunteers.  It is a pleasure working with all of you.

What: Project Compassion - Polio Plus

Where: Kona Denny's

When: Sunday, November 4, 4pm - 9pm

Have a meal, or even just a dessert, and 20% of the food and drink amount will go to Polio Plus. 100% of any tips you leave go to Polio Plus. Your fellow West Hawaii Rotarians will be there eating and serving food. Bring a friend, have a meal and help Rotary in its final push to eradicate Polio.

MEET OUR ROTARY HABITAT BLITZ BUILD FAMILY

You are all invited to come and meet Terrie Mamac and her family for whom we will be building the Rotary House with Habitat for Humanity.  We are truly looking forward to making this dream come true for Terrie, her 5 year old daughter Layla and her 9 year old son Hailama . Please come and enjoy our Rotary O’hana with this deserving young family.  Kona Rotarian Connie Dizinno has graciously offered to have this event at her home.

  Where:  73-4445 Holo Holo Street, Kailua Kona in the Palisades area.

  Date & Time: Saturday September 1st,        5:00 p.m. until……….

  Please bring a dish to share and BYOB and bring your swim suit.

From the Kailua Kona Post Office in Lanihau Shopping Center Drive to Queen K Highway and Turn left onto Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, Continue to follow Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, Turn right onto Kaiminani Dr, Turn right onto Holoholo St, Destination will be on the left.

From left: Dr. Frank Toscano, Rotary Club of Kona; Alan Clark, Tournament Volunteer Co-Chair; Michael Kelly, President Rotary Club of Kona; Bill Rau, Senior Vice President, Mitsubishi Electric HVAC; Bud Nardello, VP of Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Sales; Kelly Flier, Tournament Manager; Brendan Moynahan, Head Golf Professional Hualalai Resort. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

Army 1-21 "Gimlets" LTC Robert Molinari and his wife Mrs. Mindy Molinari visited Rotary Club of Kona at the July 21st weekly meeting. LTC Molinari, the commander of the 1-21, presented the club with an honorary "Gimlet" board "IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION OF THE KONA ROTARY CLUB'S PATRIOTIC SUPPORT OF THE 1ST BATTALION, 21ST INFANTRY (GIMLETS) DURING THEIR JUNE 2010- JUNE 2011 DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION NEW DAWN. MAHALO!"