Heart of a Hero

February 2019

February is American Heart Month. All across America, people are encouraged to be heart healthy, make healthier lifestyle choices, and “live heart healthy lives.” Additionally, the iconic February red heart reminds us of Kiwanis Governor Rocci Barsotti’s theme this year, “Heart of a Hero.”

Max Templeman was one of the founding members of the Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor and will always have the “Heart of a Hero” for our club. Max believed in the power of education and could frequently be found speaking with Key Club members about continuing their education in college. He founded Assets School, a school that “makes a difference in the lives of children who learn differently.” For thousands of these students, Max’s school helped them continue to college and become successful community contributors. Upon his passing in 2005, Max donated money to the Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor to award scholarships to its sponsored youth and the scholarship was named in honor of him. When the funds were depleted, the club was no longer able to award scholarships. Through fundraising efforts, the Kiwanis Club of Pearl Harbor is happy to announce the rebirth of the 2019 Max Templeman Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship in honor of a founding member who truly had the “Heart of a Hero.”

~ Judy Watanabe

When Time Flies By …

January 2019

“For myself, personally, I am never really aware of timing or anything because I am passionate about what I do, so I have found that if you really love what you do, then time flies.” - Colm Wilkinson, Irish Tenor and Actor

Colm Wilkinson’s quote makes perfect sense if you are a Kiwanian. Our mission as Kiwanis is all about doing and loving what we do. 2018 flew by filled with activities improving the lives of children we serve. 2019 promises to be another busy activity filled year beginning with Living History Day on the Mighty Mo, otherwise known as the USS Missouri. Perhaps it was the shutdown of the Federal Government that caused more families to visit the Mighty Mo on that day. Both locals and visitors could be found exploring the USS Missouri. The ship bustled with families partaking in the children’s activities, viewing displays, and exploring the history and wonders of the Missouri. The steep stairs into the belly of the ship did not deter parents from carrying their children down to engage in a game of Battleship, color signal flats, color and wear a headband with a drawing of the Mighty Mo, take a fun picture in a Naval uniform, or spell their name with signal flag magnets. We were kept busy with each new family that braved the steep staircase to find a multitude of activities to do. Kiwanis are passionate about our vision of serving children of the world. There on the Mighty Mo, at Living History Day, we started our 2019 year being passionate about serving the children of the world and time flew by.

~ Judy Watanabe

Dream + Realize

December 2018

In the blink of an eye, the last few days of 2018 are upon us and 2019 beckons on our doorsteps. What did we accomplish in 2018? What will 2019 bring us? What New Year’s resolutions will we make?

These questions fill my thoughts as I write this final article for 2018. As I ponder my prose, I was reminded of Uncle Clay and his HOPA (House of Pure Aloha). Uncle Clay is the co-founder of HOPA, a snack shop serving my favorite desserts, shave ice and ice cream like no other I have tasted and served with pure aloha.

HOPA’s vision, mission, and core values parallel Kiwanis. Our Kiwanis vision is to help children in many places and in many ways; HOPA’s is to have the entire world living pure aloha. Our mission is to develop resources that serve the children of the world; HOPA’s is to cultivate pure aloha through relationships from one person to one community at a time. Our core values of stewardship, transparency, responsiveness, legacy, integrity, and trust help us succeed in our pursuit of our mission and vision; HOPA’s core values of integrity, gratitude, wellness, caring, teamwork, and “dramalize” help them breed success and spread aloha. Two different organizations with overlapping purposes, if only every company, organization, and institution could have similar missions, all children would be helped worldwide.

As the clock tolls the end of 2018 and rings in 2019, let us celebrate our Kiwanis Family successes in helping children here in Hawaii and around the world. And let us continue to work on our mission with Uncle Clay’s philosophy of serving pure aloha worldwide one child at a time.

~ Judy Watanabe

A Time to Reflect

November 2018

In the blink of an eye November has come and gone and the official start of the holiday season is upon us. The holiday season tends to make us reflect on the year that is nearly over and the one that is just around the corner. Fond memories of time with family and friends flood our thoughts and those we lost in the year we hold close in our hearts. We recently lost one of our own Kiwanians, Richard Minatoya, a strong supporter and encourager to Key Clubbers to apply for Kiwanis scholarships because he was a recipient long ago. Trustee Kiwanian Richard will long be remembered for his leadership, service, and tireless efforts in promoting Kiwanis and all we stand for. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your time, support, and contributions to the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Ohana! Your physical presence will be missed but your spirit and heart will continue to be a part of our daily lives!

~ Judy Watanabe

Kids Need Kiwanis

October 2018

If you Google the Kiwanis Mission, the gold headline, “Kids Need Kiwanis: appears on the Webpage. Simply stated, that is what being a Kiwanian is all about, no matter the age of the Kiwanian. Our club spans six decades and I admire our members who could easily enjoy retirement and ride off into the sunset however they continue to be an active member of our club mainly because, “Kids Need Kiwanis.Children and Youth Day held on the lawns and buildings of the State Capital is an event that exemplifies the Kiwanis mission. The entire event is all about serving children and their families. The day is filled with hands-on activities, educational displays and activities, careers, colleges, you name it, it’s there. The event brings together public and private organizations all focused on children, their health, their education, their future, and reminds everyone to enjoy life together through the eyes and experiences of our future, children!

~ Judy Watanabe