The East Kaua‘i Lions Club meeting went virtual Thursday night as the membership heeded social-distancing and face-mask guidelines at the WB’s restaurant for the installation of new officers and members.
“There is a flag to the left,” said Lion Harvey Kinoshita, who scripted the inauguration by having each person recite their respective job description, followed by the traditional roar. Each officer was brought forward, individually, to take their respective oaths of office.
Janice Bond, earning accolades for her efforts at increasing the club’s membertship, took office as the club’s new president, taking over from Past President Ed Keopuhiwa, who opened the evening with an ‘ukulele rendering of “America.” He continues to have serve the club as immediate past president.
“Captain Bill Simon of The Salvation Army is my cub, but leaving Kaua‘i June 29,” Bond said. “John Baxter of the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana is another of my cubs, but is going to be transferred to Japan. Felicia Cowden, a Kaua‘i County Council member, is my new cub, and is here.”
The surge of new members earned Bond an International Lions President’s Pin for membership, the event following the installation of Cowden as the newest club member to receive the yellow club vest, a special Lions Club fabric face mask, and a yellow shirt, all presented by Bond.
Lions Don Nagamine and John Ochoco were two of the four directors selected for the year, and Georgio Depaz came from a day of distributing food with the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort &Beach Club to roar into the Lion tamer’s puka.
Robin Dane became the club’s vice president, with Roy Nishida filling the first-vice-president slot.
Past District Governor Kelvin Moniz is the program coordinator, and Crystal Bargayo takes over as the club’s secretary. Larry Graff controls the club’s treasury, and lost little time asking members to fulfill their membership obligations.
Bond’s generosity overflowed to host the membership, including Simon, to a celebratory dinner that included garlic butter shrimp, teriyaki beef, chicken, pancit, salad and rice, through the efforts of Wilma Bumanglag.
The East Kaua‘i Lions Club meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
