The Sunset Brief

Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset | Weekly Newsletter

Date: October 29, 2026 

President's Message: “Service Above Self, with a Sunset View.”

From Mike: Service in Full Swing

Aloha Sunset Rotarians,

What an inspiring and action-packed couple of weeks for Honolulu Sunset! From the golf green to community health outreach, our members have demonstrated what it truly means to live out “Service Above Self.”

At our last meeting on Thursday evening, Dr. Lorenzo Abala was presented with The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity by PDG Nancy Cabral.  This award goes to up to 150 non-Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service through Rotary.

Dr. Lorenzo Abala is honored with the Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity for his extraordinary commitment to saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems across the Pacific. An emergency and wilderness medicine physician, he has brought critical medical training, compassion, and expertise to remote and underserved communities from Alaska to Samoa and throughout the Pacific Rim. Through ROSE Initiatives, he focuses on building local capacity and empowering communities to deliver sustainable care. His lifesaving work in Chuuk helped inspire Rotary District 5000’s ROOTS program, which advances emergency, critical, and ophthalmic care in Micronesia through training, equipment, and partnerships. Here in Hawaiʻi, Dr. Abala continues to serve by training students, military personnel, and conservation workers in wilderness first aid and life support, ensuring others are prepared when lives depend on their skills.

To add to the evening, immediately following this award presentation, Nancy officially inducted Lorenzo into our Club as our newest member!  We are thrilled to have Lorenzo join our Club!

This past Saturday evening, RCHS had two tables at the Healthcare Association of Hawaii's Annual Gala where Healthcare Heroes of Hawaii are recognized. Two of our Club members, Dr. James Ham and Dr. Dan Murariu, were recognized with this prestigious award. As we know, healthcare is a critical need in our Islands with a significant shortage of qualified physicians. How incredible to see two of our members recognized as heroes in the medical field!

A huge mahalo to everyone who supported our World Polio Day outreach this past weekend. On Friday, October 23, James Ham led a tremendous effort with our “Tee Off Against Polio” Golf Fundraiser at Waikele Country Club, generating vital awareness and contributions for PolioPlus. We followed that on Saturday, October 24, joining forces with the JABSOM H.O.M.E. Project and other District 5000 clubs at U.S. VETS – Waianae for hands-on community health and vaccination outreach. Special thanks to all members who gave their Saturday to make a real difference for our veterans and local families.

As RI leader Yinka Babalola reminds us, “If we change ourselves, we will change the world.” Let’s continue carrying that spirit of intentional service, warmth, and fellowship into everything we do this week.

Mahalo for your dedication and heart,

Mike Kass

President, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset (2026–2027)

Member Sponsored Fundraiser: Burmese Food Festival

Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Here is an opportunity to support a great cause and have a great meal!  November 1st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM is a Burmese Food Festival raising funds for Burmese refugees in Thailand. RCHS Member Jue Jue Min is selling tickets for $10 or $20, which can be redeemed for amazing food including Tea Leaf Salad, Mohinga, Coconut Rice and Chicken Curry, and Pe Byouk. Please contact Jue Jue to purchase your tickets for a good cause and delicious meal!

Special Event: Foundation Dinner with RI President-Elect Larry Lunsford

RI President Elect Larry Lunsford will be here on Oahu November 9th at the Hale Koa Hotel. Individual tickets are $150.00. Table sales start at $1,500. Proceeds benefit The Rotary Foundation. The deadline is October 26, so register today at:

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/60108/Events/foundation-dinner-with-ri-president-elect-larry-lunsford

World Polio Day: Help Us Finish the Fight

Yesterday, October 24 was World Polio Day. It's not too late to make a contribution to Rotary's commitment to eradicate polio. Any and every donation makes a difference.

For your convenience, Naomi Masuno has set up a page to make donating easy and straightforward. Please visit the link below to contribute directly to our District 5000 campaign:

Click Here to Donate to the District 5000 PolioPlus Campaign

Author Spotlight: Jerry Perone

RCHS Club Membership chair Jerry Perone has authored a new thriller that is sure to be on your must read list! Scheduled for a soft release on November 5, 2026, "Four Hours to Impact" is a story that opens with a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in the Aleutian Islands that sends 100 foot tsunami waves reaching towards Hawaii.  This will be a book that is impossible to put down! 

Go to www.jerryperone.com for updates and more!

 The Weekly Horizon (Upcoming Meetings & Events)

Mark your calendars for our upcoming gatherings, service projects, and fellowship events:

Member Spotlight & Celebrations

Celebrating the dedication of our club members:

• Healthcare Heroes of Hawaii: Heartiest congratulations to Dr. James Ham and Dr. Dan Murariu for being honored at the Healthcare Association of Hawaii's Annual Gala! Mahalo for your exceptional clinical leadership and compassionate care across our Islands.

• The Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity: Congratulations to Dr. Lorenzo Abala for this well-deserved recognition presented by PDG Nancy Cabral for extraordinary wilderness medicine, capacity-building, and lifesaving service across the Pacific Rim, Micronesia, and Hawaiʻi.

The Four-Way Test & The Last Word

Of the things we think, say, or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

5.  

“In the change of seasons, the sunset is always a reminder that a beautiful day is ahead.”