April/May 2020

Have you been thinking about future projects? I don’t think doing projects will be “normal” any more. We hope for the best but prepare for the worst, just in case. Have been thinking of ways to do projects and doing things that people need. With social distancing being the new normal we may have to do things a bit differently. We may have to do things as a group and donate time and efforts for people in need like thinking of ways to help with food distribution or even tutoring kids by video conferencing. We can still take care of the community one child at a time but maybe we have to change it a little and be a little creative.

~ Susan Wong

February/March 2020

With all the cancellations of our Kiwanis events, social activities, and even schools, it is time for a definition for all the things we can do to limit the spread of COVID-19. We have heard of quarantines and isolation - that is the most we could do by not spreading the disease. Lately we have been hearing about social distancing which Kiwanis International is suggesting that we participate in. Social Distancing is limiting our meeting to 10 people or less or cancelling large gatherings like HCON or our bowling tournament that was a fundraiser for our Komohana LTG.

The information came from USA Today with references to the Annals of Internal Medicine and Centers for Disease Control.

~ Susan Wong

January 2020

The Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor adopted the USS Missouri as a monthly project. The Pearl Harbor Club rotates its 5 Key Clubs so that they have service hours and to learn the history of the USS Missouri.

The last Saturday in January always is the Living History Day on the USS Missouri. Saturday, January 25th was the 76th anniversary of the USS Battleship Missouri. The USS Missouri opens their facilities at no charge for all. They provide tours and activities for all the attendees including special activities for children which included coloring of the Battleship Missouri, making a cap, and playing the game “Battleship”.

The Key Club of Mililani High School signed up for children’s activities from 8:30am-Noon. Waipahu Key Club signed up from Noon-2pm and Pearl City Key Club signed up from 2pm-4pm.

It was a little quiet for Mililani Key Clubbers. Nethen, Savanna, Emma and Casey wore the caps that they colored and became experts at playing “Battleship”. Mr. Leong, their faculty advisor accompanied the Mililani Key Club. Mr. Keven and Miss Nobue, our contacts at the USS Missouri, treated us to a light snack.

~ Susan Wong

December 2019

The Kiwanis of Pearl Harbor have been helping The Salvation Army by taking the last shift of the Angel Tree at Pearlridge Center. The Angel Tree ran from November 29th until December 14th. We get to work with our Key Clubs. I got to work with the Key Club from Mililani High School, and they did a fantastic job. I saw a few of their parents who dropped off their Key Clubber or came to pick them up. Mr. Leong teaches AP English and is the faculty advisor to our Mililani Key Club and Chess Club. Our Key Clubbers ranged from freshmen to seniors. I always knew the Key Clubbers were busy, but I didn’t know how busy they are. We appreciate our Key Clubs, their families and their faculty advisors.

On Dec. 21st at the Kroc Center in Kapolei, Kay, Carol and I got to help with distributing the gifts collected at the Angel Tree. It was a busy day but so grateful that families could celebrate Christmas. The public’s generosity was overwhelming and The Salvation Army had everything organized from providing huge bags to put gifts in and briefing us on what to do. This would be a great project for Kiwanis Clubs and Key Clubs to participate in. The Salvation Army even provided a break room for their volunteers and kept us fed and hydrated. Our Waipahu Key Clubbers were runners and helped with the shoppers. Princess, president of our Waipahu Key Club and Jhan Ray were fantastic and very gracious with the shoppers they assisted. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

~ Susan Wong

November 2019

It’s November already! We just had our Key Club Takeover Meeting which featured our 5 Key Clubs; Aiea High School, Leilehua High School, Mililani High School, Pearl City High School and Waipahu High School. They all did a fantastic job hosting the meeting and program and welcomed Megan Cabbage and Rick Ahn of the Salvation Army.

Pres Estella and Sec Emilee of Aiea Key Club setup the program, did the opening and closing of the meeting. Leilehua Pres BJ and VP Kaeddie did the ice breaker—two truths and one lie, and we had to guess which one was the lie. Pearl City Pres Vicky provided the decorations. Mililani Pres Meilin did Key Club Knowledge—it was very informative and hard to guess with the multiple choice answers offered. Waipahu VP Princess and Historian Jhan Ray asked each Key Club to write down any improvements they wanted to see in their club. All Key Club Leaders have a desire to have their clubs grow and to be able to have more projects.

Roy Fujinaka, Pearl Harbor’s keeper of our Angel Tree calendar completed the schedule for the month of November and December. Megan Cabbage and Rick Ahn provided statistics from the 2018 Angel Tree. With our 5 Key Clubs, The Salvation Army collected 10,000 gifts and was able to distribute them to 2,000 individuals. This year’s Angel Tree at Pearlridge Center will be from November 29th until December 14th.

Have a great Thanksgiving (we have much to be thankful for).

~ Susan Wong