Events

Mikki has a nonprofit that she utilizes to support Hui Mahi'ai Aina.  They have an upcoming Open Market in May 2024 and need support to make it a success.  

Hawaii Fi-Do trains their own bred, exceptionally qualified service dogs, primarily for mobility, for people in Hawaii with disabilities. They also prepare and make ‘healing dogs’ available for compassionate and therapeutic programs with veterans, children, seniors, and the hospitalized. Their goal is to provide greater independence and enhanced quality of life for isolated and vulnerable people including those with disabilities. They tailor each service dog’s training to suit their client’s needs regardless of ability to pay.

https://www.hawaiifido.org/

Barros comes to the state from Booz Allen Hamilton as its Senior Exercise Planner with the 25th Infantry Division. Prior to that, he was an emergency management staff officer with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. Barros recently retired from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard (HIARNG) after a 32-year career, 22 in active service.

“I’ve worked with Col. (Ret.) James Barros for decades and know that his exceptional leadership and experience will continue to improve HI-EMA’s readiness,” said Hara.

Barros was the Chief of Staff for the Hawai‘i National Guard’s Joint Task Force, a force that was more than 1,300 strong, established to support the state’s response to COVID-19.

“I am honored to be the newest member of the HI-EMA team and the privilege to serve as the Administrator,” said Barros. “I look forward to working closely with Governor Green and MG Hara as we strengthen the partnerships with our county teammates, volunteer organizations, and our communities. HI-EMA is a dynamic organization with diverse responsibilities to prepare and protect the people of Hawai‘i.”

International Hospitality Center (ihchawaii.org)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLJsdqxnZb0

Brittany Cass, Board Member and survivor - will share her story about why MADD is so important!

Housing Hawai‘i’s Future is a movement led by young locals who will create opportunities for Hawai‘i’s next generation by ending the workforce housing shortage.

Housing Hawai‘i's Future (hawaiisfuture.org)

In 2008 Janine LeGrand went to the missionary field from Calvary Episcopal Church, in Kaneohe. She serves as the Diocesan Health Coordinator with the Diocese of Masindi-Kitara, Church of Uganda (Anglican).  Janine serves with the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS) headquartered in Pennsylvania.  The goal of her ministry is to help people know the love of Christ in a practical, touchable way through helping them be healthier.

Janine joined Rotary in 2019; and, for the 2022-23 Rotary Year, she was selected Rotarian of the Year by her home club, the Masindi Rotary Club in Uganda.

Janine was born in Los Angeles and moved to Kaneohe, Hawaii in 1980. In 1984 she graduated from U.H. Manoa with a B.A. in Zoology; and, in 1986 with a Professional Diploma in Secondary Science Education. For the next seven years, she taught science in the DODDS at Yokota Air Base, English in a Tokyo-based company, and high school science at Sacred Hearts Academy. She continued working on Oahu as a veterinary assistant for the next few years, before becoming her father’s full-time caregiver for about 5 years. She got an A.S. in Medical Assisting with Honors from Kapiolani; then in 2005, she completed the coursework for the Certificate in Cross-Cultural Healthcare from Fuller Theological Seminary.

This is Janine’s first trip back to the USA from Uganda, since November 2019.

Mike Orbin is a member of the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, located in eastern Pennsylvania.  He has been a Rotarian since September 2018, initially a member with the Allentown Rotary Club.  

When a member of the Allentown Club he advocated for the Club's involvement in international projects and was instrumental in Allentown Rotary Club investing in the repair of a Pediatric Rigid Bronchoscope for a Children's Hospital in Morelia, Mexico in coordination with the Camelinas Rotary Club. He advocated to his Club to provide monies to the Rotary Club of Mfuwe, Zambia, during COVID, to make and distribute facemasks in their community, including more than 20 schools.  For the last four years he has been an advocate and supporter of investing in sustainable educational, safe water, health care, food security, and income-generating programs in rural Cambodia with the Rotary Club of Pursat and Sustainable Cambodia, which has resulted this year in the Rotary District 7430’s involvement as a major partner of the Global Grant "Family Self-Reliance Through Village Empowerment" in year 2023-2024. This grant will benefit over 420 families and more than 2,500 people in 3 rural Cambodian villages.  He will continue his efforts in the Bethlehem Club.

In February 2023, his first return to Cambodia after COVID, he met for the first time one of the students he was sponsoring for educational enrichment classes. She had severe scoliosis and had never been to a doctor for her condition. After returning home he organized efforts to get medical treatments to correct her condition, successfully getting her admitted to Shriners Childrens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the support of friends, and Rotarians, throughout the world. With the excellent medical treatment she received and gracious support and care of the staff from Shriners, she is now being released to go home. It is an amazing change. She looks like a totally new person.  A major impediment has been removed from her life giving her an opportunity to live a much healthier, successful, and less restrictive life.  Mike has now returned to escort her and her sister home.

Dr. Christopher F. Puttock

Rotary at COP28 Program Manager

Rotary Action Group's Council Cabinet Chair 2023-2025

Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species (RAG4ES) Chair 2023-2025
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) cofounder, www.esrag.org

ESRAG Executive Director 2015-2018, Chair-Elect 2018-2019, Chair 2019-2021, Director of Projects Division 2021-2022, Senior Advisor 2022+

RI TRF Cadre of Technical Advisors for Water and Environment 2021-2024

D7620 Environment Committee Chair 2010-2014, 2020-2022; Global Grants Committee 2011-2014; RC5864 College Park President 2016-2017

Hawaii Conservation Alliance Foundation (HCAF) Founder & Director 2006+ hawaiiconservation.org/the-foundation/ 

Support and Resources for Hearing Loss - Hear 4 Hope

Hear 4 Hope envisions a world where the journey through hearing loss is met with understanding, compassion, and boundless hope. Established with a profound commitment rooted in four foundational pillars, symbolized by the integral “4” in our name: Support, Resources, Education, & Advocacy.  Hear 4 Hope recognizes the transformative power of HOPE, a force that becomes especially vital during challenging times, particularly when confronting the difficulties of hearing loss. Hope is more than just a word; it’s a catalyst for resilience and growth. And Hear 4 Hope is committed to creating an environment where hope not only survives but thrives, in Hawaii and beyond!

Rotary at COP28 Program Manager

Rotary Action Group's Council Cabinet Chair 2023-2025

Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species (RAG4ES) Chair 2023-2025
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) cofounder, www.esrag.org

ESRAG Executive Director 2015-2018, Chair-Elect 2018-2019, Chair 2019-2021, Director of Projects Division 2021-2022, Senior Advisor 2022+

RI TRF Cadre of Technical Advisors for Water and Environment 2021-2024

D7620 Environment Committee Chair 2010-2014, 2020-2022; Global Grants Committee 2011-2014; RC5864 College Park President 2016-2017

Hawaii Conservation Alliance Foundation (HCAF) Founder & Director 2006+ hawaiiconservation.org/the-foundation/ 

Most recently a senior leader of GenAI products at Google, Dr. Shah has spent almost two decades as a leader in  AI, tech design, policy and research.

She holds a PhD (2020) from Stanford in Tech Design during which time her work was featured in The Atlantic, The Nation, The Root and beyond.  She has also been a speaker at the White House, UC Berkeley, Aspen Institute, the UN. and more.  

Dr. Shah writes, teaches, and speaks widely about the opportunities and risks of AI.  She is  hopeful about the possibilities of AI to improve life for everyone, including the most vulnerable populations. And believes that the time is now to set the course of these powerful tools in a direction that serves everyone.