Welcome to our Web pages. We are a non-profit organization of men, women and youth, dedicated
to providing service to the YMCA and Hawaii's communities. Membership is very rewarding.
Rick Lau, Regional Director 2008-2010
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RD Rick’s Latest Blog
Go to the “RD’s Blog” item on the main menu upper left to see the latest thoughts, news, advice and musings of Regional Director Rick Lau, just posted for July 1. Read of Rick’s trip to China and his thoughts on upcoming Y’s Men’s events.
Longtime Central Y Service Club member Reginald Takaki died on June 26 after losing his valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. We’ll have more about Reggie’s life and his service to Y’sdom in this space soon. Meanwhile, please note that services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Hosoi Mortuary, 30 North Kukui St. Keep your eyes on the local newspapers for more information. Despite his sickness, Reggie made a cheerful appearance at the Ilima Hotel during the 73rd Hawaii Region Convention in May. (See picture.)
Membership Recognition Program
A new program to recognize Hawaii Y’s Men and Women for their service to Y’sdom and their communities has been launched by the Hawaii Region of Y’s Men International. While the program is new and may change, the first step has been taken, the development of an information sheet that clubs can fill out for each member, showing his or her years of service as a club member and listing hours spent in club activities and other service. You can access the form by clicking here and you can fill it in on your computer screen. Duke Chung, regional service director for membership and conservation says recognition awards will be based on hours of service for the period May 1 through April 30 each year and years of service from the time the person joined the club.
A Great Convention in Waikiki
Some 70 people from all over the state participated in the highly successful 73rd Hawaii Region Convention of Y’s Men International. There were guests from Japan and the mainland and everyone enjoyed a busy convention, an enlightening Y’s Men’s Academy and plenty of social time and great meals.
More details will follow in these pages soon. For now, take a look at an online gallery of convention photos by clicking here. Or you can just click on the officers’ swearing-in photo below to be taken to the gallery.
There were many discussions about the current state and future of our organization, both in the formal sessions and in the enjoyable social get-togethers, and some important decisions were made.
First, the 74th Hawaii Region Convention will be held on Kauai in mid-May 2010. Again, it will be organized on a statewide basis with all clubs needing to pull their weight to make it work. Convention Chair is Duke Chung (West Oahu) and he is already at work on the planning.
Second, the convention elected a new Regional Director Elect. He is Russ Lynch, who has been a Hawaii Y’s Man for about 20 years and this past year was president of the Windward Y’s Men’s & Women’s Club. Rick Lau continues as Regional Director through 2009-2010 with Russ as RDE. Russ will then serve as Regional Director for two years and will need a new RDE for 2011-2012.
Above: U.S. Area Representative Wayne Smith, left, swears in officers for 2009-2010. From left they are Regional Director Rick Lau (Central), Regional Director Elect Russ Lynch (Windward), U.S. Area President Phil Sammer (Central), Regional Secretary-Treasurer Bob Kuwahara (West Oahu) and Metro District Governor Phil Chun (Kalihi).
Hilo Birthday (submitted by Bobby Stivers)
Also, celebrating his birthday on the 21st past president Lance Niimi and June his lovely wife's birthday was on the 23rd of June too.
Please join the Hilo Y's Men & Women Service Club in wishing Ben, Lance & June Happy Birthday!!! In the picture, Hilo Past President Lance Niimi congratulates Ben, along with Ben’s wife Lily. Ben’s gold cap symbolizes good luck and good fortune.
Club Bulletins
The well-crafted, great-looking, informative and inspiring bulletins from our individual clubs keep flowing in, thanks to the strong efforts of the bulletin editors and those who contribute stories. Now out are the June issues of West Oahu’s “Y’s Words,” Kalihi’s “FYI,” Windward’s “Windward Y’er,” Nuuanu’s “Y’s Up” and Central’s “Y’s Observer.” Also recently added is the Spring issue of West Oahu’s “Y’s Words”. You can find them and many others, as well as back issues, in "Club Bulletins" The most recent ones have their titles in bold type. Check the Club Bulletins page often. The editors are doing a great job and it’s good to read about what the other clubs are doing.
Picture Gallery
We’ve put together a collection of pictures of our Hawaii Y’s Men and Women in action serving their YMCAs and their communities and decided to share them. You can pick individual pictures to enlarge or you can run a slideshow. Find the Web Gallery here.