LIHU‘E — Kiwanis California-Nevada-Hawai‘i Gov. Valarie Brown-Klingelhoeffer was like other dignitaries, arriving in Hawai‘i because of the seriousness of the wildfires that plagued Maui and parts of the Big Island.
Among her agenda of encouraging the growth of Kiwanis clubs and Key clubs, Brown-Klingelhoeffer had a personal project of trying to establish a Kiwanis of Hawai‘i group that would maximize the efforts of individual Kiwanis clubs across the state, including relief efforts for the wildfires and Maui.
Her Hawai‘i trip allowed a detour to coincide with the Kiwanis of Kaua‘i August meeting at Puakea Grill, where she got to meet the leaders and teacher advisors of the Key clubs of Kaua‘i and Kapa‘a high schools, and encourage the growth of more Key clubs that operate under the Kiwanis umbrella of service, especially to children.
But her main focus was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Scott Sato, the Kiwanis Scholarship Chair, “for going above and beyond” to make a difference for young people and the community.
Brown-Klingelhoeffer also had an opportunity to meet previous Distinguished Service Award recipients like Mark Oyama. He was a former Key Club member and a strong supporter of Kiwanis activities, such as the chili plate fundraiser by Mark’s Place that will take place on Oct. 22 as a fundraiser for the Key clubs and the Kiwanis scholarship.
Tickets for the chili plate fundraiser are also available by contacting the members of the Kiwanis Club, or any of the Key Club members.
The governor’s visit wrapped up by congratulating Lucy Douthitt on winning the 2023 Kupuna Spelling Bee state event by correctly spelling “tamari” and earning a stay at the California Hotel in Las Vegas and a trip for two from Alaska Airlines to anywhere the airline flies.
Kiwanis empowers communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.
For people interested in the Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i, the group led by President Cheryl Shintani meets on the second Tuesday of each month starting at 5 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
