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From Hiroshima to Hope: Why Rotary's Commitment to Peace Matters
 
A November message from the District Governor, Rotary District 5000
Aloha kākou.
   I've just returned from a trip to Korea and Japan, and one experience will stay with me for the rest of my life: visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
   For years, I've participated in Rotary's efforts to promote peace, including the installation and dedication of Peace Poles throughout Hawaiʻi. I've spoken about peace, supported peace initiatives, and believed deeply in Rotary's commitment to building a better world.
   But nothing prepared me for Hiroshima. Walking through the museum, I saw photographs and personal belongings of ordinary people whose lives were destroyed by the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945.  One exhibit particularly affected me: the story of a three-year-old boy and his tricycle.
He was just a little boy enjoying his childhood. He had nothing to do with the war, the political decisions, or the conflict surrounding him.  Yet his life was taken.
   Standing there, I began to understand Rotary's commitment to peace at a much deeper level.
 
Click to Read more about Rotary's effort to promote peace.
 
 Peace isn't simply the absence of war. It's the presence of dignity, opportunity, understanding, and hope.
My Grandma taught me about kuleana — the responsibility and privilege of caring for others.
   I've come to believe that building peace is part of our collective kuleana.  And that's what Rotary does.
Through education, clean water, disease prevention, economic opportunity, disaster response, and international friendship, Rotarians work every day to address the conditions that allow conflict and suffering to grow.
   Here in Hawaiʻi, we've seen Rotarians respond to devastating storms, support children and families, and strengthen communities through service.
Around the world, that same spirit of compassion connects people across borders, cultures, and languages.
   November is Rotary Foundation Month, and we're launching an ambitious effort called E Ulu Kākou — Let's Grow Together.
   Our goal is to raise $1 million for The Rotary Foundation during this Rotary year, expanding our capacity to change lives and help build a more peaceful world. But E Ulu Kākou is about more than money. It's about growing in generosity, leadership, friendship, and service. I went to Hiroshima believing in peace. I left understanding why we must never stop working for it.
 
Everywhere in the world there is need. And everywhere in the world there is Rotary.
E Ulu Kākou. Let's grow together.  Aloha.
DG Benson Medina
 
 
Please donate to the Rotary District 5000 Foundation Kauai Disaster Fund. 
 
CLICK HERE to register to attend.
 

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Stories from Hawai'i Rotary
November is Foundation Month
November is designated as Rotary Foundation Month in the Rotary calendar. It is a time for Rotarians to celebrate the achievements of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), learn more about its programs, and promote contributions that fund global and local service initiatives. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.  The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Kauai Disaster Relief Fund
Please donate to the Rotary District 5000 Foundation Kauai Disaster Fund.  On 9/7/2026, category two hurricane Lowell passed within 70 miles of the west side of the island of Kauai. It brought 80 mile per hour winds and heavy rain across the island. There was extensive inland flash flooding and coastal flooding.  There will be a long recovery and people have lost jobs. There are immediate needs for food, water, and debris removal.
Congratulations!
Rotary District 5000 was recognized as the Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth Organization by the Hawaii Children & Youth Day Committee for our focus on youth service.  DG Benson Medina accepted the award on behalf of D5000. Thank you RC of Honolulu Sunrise for organizing the group, including the Rotary Clubs of Honolulu Pau Hana, West Honolulu, Metro and Honolulu. Roosevelt Interactors worked the game for keikis.  
    
 
   
The YMCA of Honolulu is proud to celebrate, Don Anderson, who has the remarkable honor of being selected into the National YMCA Hall of Fame. Being one of the highest recognitions in the YMCA movement, let's honor a lifetime of service, leadership, and lasting impact from Don. Mahalo for your leadership as it continues to shape the work we do today!  Don is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu. 
The Filipino Business Women's Association recognized Tes Banagan as the Filipino Professional Software Engineer of the Year.  Tes is a Lead Principal Software Engineer at Oracle America, where she has spent 25 remarkable years building a legacy of technical excellence, resilience and quiet leadership. Tes is a trailblazer who exemplifies extraordinary professional achievement. Tes is a member of the Rotary Club of Ewa Beach.  
Dr. James Ham, is Division Chief of Emergency, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Straub Benioff Medical Center, was named one of the 2026 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes. The nominator said it was by the grace of God that Dr. Ham was on duty to revive her brother. She described him as in incredible human and was struck by James’ humility. The nominator added that Dr. Ham was a hero outside of the ER as well as a Rotarian, traveling to foreign countries, such as Papua New Guinea, to bring medical supplies and clean water.  James Ham is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset.  
 
Dr. Daniel Murariu, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS, is a Double Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with Hawaii Aesthetics & Robotic Plastic Surgery.  Dan was named one of the 2026 Hawaii Healthcare Heroes. The nominator said Dr. Murariu gave her hope, something she desperately needed. She adds that what he accomplished felt like a miracle and her gratitude for him ran deeper than words could express. Dan was also recognized by the IMSA community for the 2026 Board of Trustees Alumni Awards Assembly to celebrate our alumni's accomplishments over IMSA's 40 years.  Dan is a member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset.
Helene "Sam" Shenkus received the 2026 Chairperson's Award from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.  She is a VP & Director of Marketing at the Royal Hawaiian Center. This Hoʻokela Award is a special recognition for distinguished service and leadership in the retail sector, which celebrated Sam’s contributions to Hawaii’s retail landscape and also highlighted her decades of dedication to marketing excellence, community engagement, and the growth of Hawaii’s retail industry. Sam is a member of the Rotary Club of Ala Moana.  
The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise was received the 2026 “Purple Ribbon Award” from the Family Violence Interagency Committee for efforts toward ending Domestic Violence within our West Hawai’i Community. The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise is lead by Nancy Lowrey, President   
  
David Livingston received the Dick Matti Award, a prestigious honor given by the Rotary Club of Waikiki to recognize outstanding service and leadership. The award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Rotary service, community impact, and leadership within the club and beyond. It is named after Dick Matti, a long-time Rotary member and community leader.  Dave is a member of the Rotary Club of Waikiki and an Assistant Governor.
D5000 Clubs Doing Good in the World
  
Hilo Rotary Club volunteered with Assistance League Hawaii members who provide our keiki with $75 gift cards they could use to buy their school clothes.  Our Rotarians were at the Hilo Walmart this past Saturday, Oct 17th helping each family to buy clothes for school. It was a rewarding experience, and we enjoyed supporting our local youth. So much fun and rewarding for all!  
On September 11, 2026, the Rotary Club of Ala Moana launched its inaugural Happy Feet Service Project, providing 40 first-graders at King William C. Lunalilo Elementary School with brand-new Skechers shoes, socks, and drawstring backpacks.  Made possible through club donations and Rotary District 5000 Foundation funding, the project brought together Rotarians and Skechers representatives from Hawaiʻi and Las Vegas to help keiki find their perfect fit.  The smiles were priceless, and the impact extended beyond the classroom! 
   
Thank you Rotary Clubs of East Hawaii and UH-Hilo students: more than 70 people removed 905 gallons of invasive seaweed and muck from Waihonu AND recovered 7.5 tons of loose stones. 
   
 
        
The Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise collected school supplies for local students at Walmart Ke‘eaumoku and donate school supplies to help support local keiki as they head back to school. Every backpack, notebook, pencil, and contribution makes a difference! 💙 They collected seven carloads of school supplies and raising more than $3,000 to support Pālolo Elementary School and William P. Jarrett Middle School. Of the funds raised, $1,600 will be donated to the third-grade class at Pālolo Elementary School at the donor’s request.
  
Rotary Club of Pearlridge presentrf third graders and their teachers at Manana Elementary School in Pearl City with brand new dictionaries as a part of Rotary International’s Dictionary 5000 project.  The club also visited Pearl City Highlands Elementary School and Kanoelani Elementary School to deliver dictionaries. We all had a great time looking up words and their definitions, as well as fun and interactive content contained in their dictionaries.
 
Pearl City High School Interact Club partners with Rotary Club of Pearlridge at annual Honolulu City & County Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup as they once again coming together to partner in the community to volunteer at the annual Honolulu City & County Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup.  PCHS Interact Club and RCOP volunteers worked in teams to pick up rubbish on the Pearl Harbor Bike Path and Pearl Harbor shoreline from the HECO Waiau Power Plant in Pearl City to the bridge near Cutter Ford in Aiea.
 
 
Rotary Club of Hilo — the second oldest Rotary Club in Hawaii, chartered in 1920. The program brings together Rotarians and occasional guests to cook fresh, home‑style lunches for residents of the Hawaiʻi Island Home for Recovery (HIHR), a nonprofit that helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives through housing assistance, individualized support, and pathways to stability.
On behalf of the Youth Professional Exchange Team from Thailand, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us by the Rotary members of District 5000 during our stay in Hawaii. Your kindness made our participation in the Young Professionals Exchange (YPE) Program a truly memorable experience.  We are deeply grateful and honored by the friendship, support, and collaboration that contributed to the success of this exchange. From the very first day to the conclusion of our program, all the Rotarians in District 5000 welcomed us with open arms, cared for us, and treated us with exceptional kindness and generosity. We were deeply touched by the time we spent together and will cherish the wonderful friendships we have formed for years to come. Our trip to Hawaii was an invaluable opportunity to experience the local culture, learn new things, and broaden our perspectives. The experience has left a lasting impression on all of us.  
Warm regards, Montana Kangkan, Team Leader, Thai YPE Team
Waianae US Vets project with JABSOM HOME Project, US Vets, and Dept of Health.  Rotary Clubs of Ewa Beach, Kapolei, West Pearl Harbor, Waianae, West Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Sunset, Wahiawa-Waialua and Kaneohe participated in serving pizza, distributing hygiene kits, school supplies and talking about Rotary at the US Vets Waianae facility and also at Maile Point Beach Park.
    
Lahaina Means Business networking event

Lahaina business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals are invited to a free community networking event, Lahaina Means Business from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate in Lahaina. The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset and the Maui County Office of Economic Development are sponsoring the event, which aims to build connections, encourage collaboration and point attendees to useful business resources.

RI Convention in Barcelona June 2027

BARCELONA 2027 — DISTRICT 5000, LET'S GO! Come Experience Barcelona with Rotary and the World!  If you are interested in getting a hotel room in the D5000 block, please CLICK HERE to add you name to the list  EARLY REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 17! A special registration rate is available for five days only and goes up by $200 on Sept 22. 

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SOUTHWEST PELS 2027
Feb 19-21, 2027
LAX Marriott, California
 
ROTARY ZONE 26/27 INSTITUTE 2027
Reno, Nevada
November 11-13, 2027
 
 
 
 June 26-30, 2027
Barcelona, Spain
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