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Rotarians help
teens with projects
that serve, and
bring success

Guidance is the key
to helping teens make a
difference, they say

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Pearl Harbor Rotarians are mentoring students at Radford and Moanalua high schools, helping them to make a difference through community service.

"We provide them a little guidance on selection and planning and execution of those projects, and they also take part in projects that we do such as cleanups or working with Special Olympics, marathon and senior citizens," said Rotarian Bruce Cole.

Cole thinks it helps students in the Interact clubs at the schools to mingle with a wide variety of Rotarians who are successful people.

"They see that it's not truly success unless you're giving something back to the community," Cole noted.

Projects like these have been the cornerstone of the Pearl Harbor Rotary, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next month. The anniversary is June 14, and a special dinner will celebrate the event at the Moana Surfrider June 10.

Since its charter in 1950, the club has concentrated on projects for youth, senior citizens and the community. It has encouraged young people to acquire vocational skills and education -- and has promoted activities at the international level along with emphasizing fellowship and fun.

Members have contributed countless volunteer hours and substantial financial donations to community and global service projects. The club has joined more than 1 million Rotarians worldwide in Rotary International's successful effort to reduce the threat of polio.

Pearl Harbor members also help fund and promote student scholarships.

"We are proud of our accomplishments over the years," said Jerry Lomaka, incoming 2000-2001 president. "But we are also very mindful of our responsibilities to our club predecessors and the people of Oahu as we begin our next 50 years of service to our community and the world."

Pearl Harbor Rotary has sister clubs in Japan -- Hiroshima and Tokyo -- and in Russia.

This fellowship exchange broadens international understanding and contributes to the respective communities. Each year, the Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima clubs alternate visits.

At Neil Blaisdell Park, there is a visible reminder of the relationship. Every other year, the clubs plant two trees as a reminder of lasting postwar peace between Japan and the United States.

The first president of Pearl Harbor Rotary was Hans Hansen, assistant manager at Oahu Sugar Co.

These days, the club meets Monday at noon at the Honolulu Country Club in Salt Lake. New members are welcome. Call 834-0231.