Rotary Club of Hawaii Kai, Oahu
A History of the Rotary Club of Hawaii Kai
Taken from the Club’s Records
This “History” is based on available Club records.
The Rotary Club of Hawaii Kai was chartered on September 17, 1973 with 24 charter members. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Honolulu and when chartered became the 22nd Rotary Club in what was then District 500. The driving force behind the creation of the Hawaii Kai Club was Samuel B. Bird, a member and Past President of the East Honolulu Club. Sam wrote the following, “Formation and Beginning of the Hawaii Kai Club”, on September 1, 1982:
“Shortly after I moved to Hawaii in 1970 – I was talking to Morely Theaker – who was District Governor at the time – about the possibility of starting a club in the Hawaii Kai area. Well – you know what happens when you open your mouth. Morely said – “go ahead” – “make the survey”. I did – and the survey indicated that it would be feasible. So – I got the job.
The East Honolulu Club released part of its territory from Niu Valley to Makapuu Point – which is now Hawaii Kai’s territory. With the help of a committee of the East Honolulu Club we got started. The committee consisted of Harold Ohata, Chuck Crispin, Handy Hancock, Pete Aurand and myself.
Because I knew John Rash – who lived in Hawaii Kai – I asked him to help by approaching people he knew in business. Handy looked for a place to hold our meetings. Thanks to Howard Miyake, a charter member, we were able to procure the Executive Dining Room in JAIMS Building for our meeting place – which has proven to be a wise decision.
We then set up a “Provisional Club” – and Handy and Pete resigned from East Honolulu to start it off. Jack Clark also resigned to act as Secretary. We finally located the necessary 24 men to make the application to Rotary International for membership – and our Charter was granted on September 1, 1973. The Charter Night Banquet was held in the ballroom of the Ilikai Hotel on November 2, 1973. (The principal speaker was Carl P. Miller, Past President of Rotary International 1963-64.)
From the very beginning – this club was off and running – with its Health Fair – the Lunalilo Thanksgiving Dinner – the Boy Scout Troop – in addition to the many other Community Service Projects it has promoted.
I am very proud and honored to be associated with the Hawaii Kai Club and wish it continued success in all its endeavors.”
The first President of the Club was retired Admiral E. Peter Aurand. Other officers included Lambreth “Handy” Hancock, Vice President, Charles S. Clark, Secretary and Wendell W. Wong, Treasurer. The Club held its meeting at noon each Tuesday at the Japan America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS) on Hawaii Kai Drive.
The Club’s first Community Service Project was providing two-year subscriptions to various magazines and periodicals for the new Hawaii Kai Library periodical room. From the December 18, 1973 Hawaii Kai Sun Press, “Rotary Club members voted last week to provide one subscription for each member in the club as a gift to the library and the selection of magazines will be made in cooperation with the new head librarian. The official presentation was made Dec. 1, by Peter Aurand, club president, at the opening of the library.
Projects completed to date include Earth Day Beach Cleanups with Sustainable Coastlines, Rotary Saves lives, Rotary Give Thanks at Lunalilo Home, Garden project at Lunilo Home with the Interact club of Kaiser High School, Don Aus Scholarship for Windward Community College, The Niu Valley Community Garage Sale, The Ducky Dash, as well as many other projects we are pursuing.
- By the members Rotary Club of Hawaii Kai, known as the "Biggest Little Club in Hawaii".