 Aloha, As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for each and every one of you in our remarkable Rotary ohana. The spirit of aloha that flows through our islands – that deep commitment to caring for our ‘aina and for each other – shines so brightly in everything our clubs do.
Just this week, I’ve been inspired by seeing our clubs in action. The Kapolei Rotarians wrapped their arms around our veterans, serving meals to US Vets with such care and respect. Over in Waikiki, our members rolled up their sleeves to ensure everyone in our community could enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. And on Maui? Well, that’s where the magic of Rotary also comes to life. I wish you could have seen it – Maui Rotarians joining forces with Governor Josh Green to serve a Thanksgiving meal to some of the Lahaina fire survivors in their new tiny house community. Rick and I had the privilege of helping clean tiny houses and assemble furniture for another Maui tiny home community, and let me tell you – those aren’t just houses, they’re symbols of hope. When we heard the stories from survivors about what it meant to finally have a place to call home after months of displacement, it touched us deep in our hearts. But you know what really got me? Despite everything they’ve been through, these incredible folks haven’t stopped thinking about others. They’re still showing up to serve their community, still living that Rotary spirit of “Service Above Self.” That’s the kind of inspiration that keeps me going. Speaking of inspiration – can we just take a moment to celebrate our global Rotary ohana? Through your incredible generosity and the support of Rotarians worldwide, we’ve raised over $3.3 million for our Maui Fires Fund. Already, we’ve put more than a million dollars to work in over 80 projects, touching everything from immediate needs like food and gas to longer-term support for mental health, education, housing, and environmental recovery. And we’re just getting started – the proposals keep coming in every week, with our dedicated committee of Maui Rotarians carefully reviewing each one to ensure maximum impact. I have to give a special shout-out to our friends from Rotary District 5280 in Los Angeles. Not only did they raise an incredible $90,000 for our Maui non-profit partners, but 45 of them actually hopped on planes and came out here in October to work alongside us. Now that’s what I call showing up for your ohana! Looking ahead, I’ve got something exciting to share. Mark your calendars for April 25-26, because we’re planning something special on Maui. I’m inviting every Hawaii Rotarian to join us for two days of hands-on service. Day one, we’ll be working with our partners on tiny house communities, houseless shelter, and education projects. Day two, we’re partnering with Treecovery to help nurture non-invasive trees that will eventually bring new life to the burn zones. Stay tuned for more details – this is going to be something truly special. As we move forward, my biggest wish is for each of you to find your perfect place in our Rotary ohana. Whether it’s hands-on service, project planning, or supporting our initiatives from behind the scenes – there’s a meaningful role for everyone. The impact we can make when we come together is simply incredible, and I want every single one of our 1,500 members to feel that joy of making a difference. The road ahead, especially for Maui’s recovery, is long – we’re looking at 2-3 years of major projects to support the rebuilding phase. But when I look at what we’ve already accomplished together, I know that with this ohana, anything is possible. This Thanksgiving, as you gather with your loved ones, please know how grateful I am for each of you. Your dedication, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to serving our communities across the state make me proud to be part of this incredible Rotary ohana. With deepest gratitude and aloha, Ted Faigle P.S. Don’t forget also to sign up now for our District Conference May 29-June 1, at the Ala Moana Hotel, as we celebrate Make Magic with Aloha. We have some great keynote speakers coming, plus TedTalks, the Crown of Wishes, and inspiring service projects. Sign up at rotaryd5000.org Price is also going up soon for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Giddy-up and go! Have fun and be inspired by the impact of Rotary all around the world. Register now at convention.rotary.org.
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