Photo by Michael Somers

Milestones


	2003 - 2004 District Governor, Gary Siracusa On July 1, 2003, Hanalei Bay Rotarian, Gary Siracusa became Governor for Rotary District 5000 which encompasses the state of Hawaii. Gary is a Charter Member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. The office of District Governor carries great honor since Governors are chosen by fellow Rotarians throughout the district to serve as their leader and as an officer of Rotary International. Gary was selected on the basis of his leadership ability, knowledge of our District and his commitment to Rotary. The success of Rotary International depends largely on the success of its member clubs. The District governor is in a unique position to sustain Rotary International’s success by fostering success at the club level.

Gary Siracusa has been called upon often by Rotary at a District and international level. He has been generous with his time and energy to further the goals and objectives of Rotary.

2003 - 2004 District Governor, Gary Siracusa

On July 1, 2003, Hanalei Bay Rotarian, Gary Siracusa became Governor for Rotary District 5000 which encompasses the state of Hawaii. Gary is a Charter Member and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. The office of District Governor carries great honor since Governors are chosen by fellow Rotarians throughout the district to serve as their leader and as an officer of Rotary International. Gary was selected on the basis of his leadership ability, knowledge of our District and his commitment to Rotary.
The success of Rotary International depends largely on the success of its member clubs. The District governor is in a unique position to sustain Rotary International’s success by fostering success at the club level.

Gary Siracusa has been called upon often by Rotary at a District and international level. He has been generous with his time and energy to further the goals and objectives of Rotary.


	Growing Our Own Teachers The school system had a problem retaining teachers on Kauai. It was necessary to recruit and hire teachers from the mainland every year. And every year some of those teachers decided to return to the mainland. This revolving door was expensive for the school system and disruptive for the students. Dr. Kani Blackwell headed up a University of Hawaii program that allowed teacher candidates to take teaching classes to be certified without leaving the island. Many of the teacher candidates were juggling jobs, family and school, and could not afford to spend the last year as a full time intern in classrooms without pay. The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay joined the cause and created a fund raising campaign to provide scholarships that was successful in providing the means for more teachers to be qualified. Growing our Own Teachers is now an independent 501c charity and is still being supported by local Rotary Clubs. The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay received the prestigious Significant Achievement Award From Rotary International for it's part in creating this success story.

The 2011 Teacher candidate Scholarship recipients smile for the camera. Attending the presentation were District Governor, John Steelquest, President Elect, Bob Capwell, Club President, George Corrigan, and Dr. Kani Blackwell

Growing Our Own Teachers

The school system had a problem retaining teachers on Kauai. It was necessary to recruit and hire teachers from the mainland every year. And every year some of those teachers decided to return to the mainland. This revolving door was expensive for the school system and disruptive for the students. Dr. Kani Blackwell headed up a University of Hawaii program that allowed teacher candidates to take teaching classes to be certified without leaving the island. Many of the teacher candidates were juggling jobs, family and school, and could not afford to spend the last year as a full time intern in classrooms without pay. The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay joined the cause and created a fund raising campaign to provide scholarships that was successful in providing the means for more teachers to be qualified. Growing our Own Teachers is now an independent 501c charity and is still being supported by local Rotary Clubs.

The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay received the prestigious Significant Achievement Award From Rotary International for it's part in creating this success story.

The 2011 Teacher candidate Scholarship recipients smile for the camera. Attending the presentation were District Governor, John Steelquest, President Elect, Bob Capwell, Club President, George Corrigan, and Dr. Kani Blackwell


	Ocean Safety Building in Hanalei The Ocean Safety Building was started as a project when Ming Fang was president of the club. Identifying the problem was just a start. Lifeguards in Hanalei stored their equipment at the Princeville fire station, in the parking lot. This caused the equipment to deteriorate quicker. It also meant that lifeguards lost a lot of beach time just moving equipment back and forth twice a day. The solution was to build a storage building in Hanalei. Plans, permits, approvals and financing all took a long time to come together but they finally did. Terry Wells hedind up the constuction and volunteers from the Rotary Club jumped in to help with digging, painting and landscaping.

The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay comes out for the dedication of the Ocean Storage Building in Hanalei

Ocean Safety Building in Hanalei

The Ocean Safety Building was started as a project when Ming Fang was president of the club. Identifying the problem was just a start. Lifeguards in Hanalei stored their equipment at the Princeville fire station, in the parking lot. This caused the equipment to deteriorate quicker. It also meant that lifeguards lost a lot of beach time just moving equipment back and forth twice a day. The solution was to build a storage building in Hanalei. Plans, permits, approvals and financing all took a long time to come together but they finally did. Terry Wells hedind up the constuction and volunteers from the Rotary Club jumped in to help with digging, painting and landscaping.

The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay comes out for the dedication of the Ocean Storage Building in Hanalei


	2009 Project Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapaa is nearly 100 years old. Nothing is “State of the Art” in the Long Term Care section of the house, but for the residents, this is “Home”. Of the 64 residents, more than two thirds or 66% are exceptionally challenging to manage on a day to day basis because of the daily social, personal care and activities needs. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being the most difficult, the average score is a nine. In order to improve the quality of life for all of the residents, we have worked with the Hospital to create an “outdoor recreational space” for physical activities like ping pong, dancing, wheelchair games and other sports. This area will also host the annual luau and bon dance and other planned activities. A well designed outdoor retreat greatly improves the quality of life for all of the SMMH ohana.

George corrigan and Jonathan McRoberts get into the spirit of things at a Rotary Club workday to install plants in the courtyard.

2009 Project Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital

Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapaa is nearly 100 years old. Nothing is “State of the Art” in the Long Term Care section of the house, but for the residents, this is “Home”. Of the 64 residents, more than two thirds or 66% are exceptionally challenging to manage on a day to day basis because of the daily social, personal care and activities needs. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being the most difficult, the average score is a nine.

In order to improve the quality of life for all of the residents, we have worked with the Hospital to create an “outdoor recreational space” for physical activities like ping pong, dancing, wheelchair games and other sports. This area will also host the annual luau and bon dance and other planned activities. A well designed outdoor retreat greatly improves the quality of life for all of the SMMH ohana.

George corrigan and Jonathan McRoberts get into the spirit of things at a Rotary Club workday to install plants in the courtyard.


	Rescue Tubes The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay helped initiate the drive to put rescue tubes on all of the beaches on Kauai. More people on Kauai have died in the ocean than on the highway. It’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. Kauai’s rip currents are killers. They have created the highest drowning rate in Hawaii. The Rescue Tubes on Kauai’s beaches are personal flotation devices to be used to stabilize distressed swimmers before rescue by our lifeguards. Since the first Rescue Tube was installed more than two years ago, 37 Rescue Tube saves have been reported, and it is estimated that 10 to 12 drownings may have been prevented. There are over 190 Rescue Tubes surrounding Kauai today. The Rescue Tube Foundation is now a stand alone 501c non-profit organization that has the support of all of the Rotary Clubs on the island.

One of the 190 rescue tubes installed on Kauai beaches

Rescue Tubes

The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay helped initiate the drive to put rescue tubes on all of the beaches on Kauai. More people on Kauai have died in the ocean than on the highway. It’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. Kauai’s rip currents are killers. They have created the highest drowning rate in Hawaii. The Rescue Tubes on Kauai’s beaches are personal flotation devices to be used to stabilize distressed swimmers before rescue by our lifeguards.
Since the first Rescue Tube was installed more than two years ago, 37 Rescue Tube saves have been reported, and it is estimated that 10 to 12 drownings may have been prevented. There are over 190 Rescue Tubes surrounding Kauai today. The Rescue Tube Foundation is now a stand alone 501c non-profit organization that has the support of all of the Rotary Clubs on the island.

One of the 190 rescue tubes installed on Kauai beaches