The 2019-20 Youth Service Narrative by Past-President, Joshua Laguana.
In their third year as a club in Rotary International’s District 5000, the Rotary Club of Hickam Pearl Harbor continued their efforts of providing support to Kalihi’s youth. In August 2019, RotaryHPH partnered with Metro Rotary to charter the first middle school interact club on Oahu at Dole Middle School. Holding biweekly meetings with the help of their Rotarian Advisors, HPH members Joshua Laguana and Lisa Harding, and Aries Jackson (from Metro Rotary) the student-led meetings included guests from organizations such as the US Coast Guard and Habilitat, along with leadership activities and learning the Four-way Test. In November, Dole Interact had put on a very successful food pantry where they provided groceries and toiletries to over 100 families, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Throughout the 2019-20 Rotary year, RotaryHPH continued their partnership with Kalihi Elementary School, which is also a feeder school for Dole. In November, RotaryHPH participated in the school’s annual Turkey Trot which was led by new HPH member, Aleeka Morgan. In January, the Hawaii Labor Unions heard about the work HPH started in April of 2019 and had chosen Kalihi Elementary to be the recipient of their annual community service project, Labor of Love. New HPH member, Brian Hartmus and Past President, Joshua Laguana joined the over 400 volunteers to paint the school and complete beautification projects throughout the campus. In March, HPH member and past Treasurer, Nik Treziok participated in the school’s Careers Day to talk about his work in the US Navy.
HPH members Allen Kamemoto, Joshua Laguana, and Brian Hartmus joined the district’s effort to putting together Oahu’s RYLA camp in February at Camp Homelani. The club had sponsored one student and is looking forward to having Past President, Joshua Laguana co-chair 2021’s Oahu RYLA camp with Rick Tabor. Along with RYLA, HPH participated in the annual HRYF Scholarship interviews and awarded a high school senior a $5,000 scholarship.
This year, RotaryHPH partnered with Read To Me International, Institute for Human Services, and the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise at the Kahauiki Village for a reader’s rally in July, where members got to meet residents and local celebrity, Robi Kahakalau and promote the importance of reading.
The Rotary Club of Hickam Pearl Harbor is looking forward to many more activities that will involve their members and community partners in order to advance the education and status of Hawaii’s youth.
