Rotary Club of Pearlridge

Rotary Club of Pearlridge Do you know about ROTARY? Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.

Whatever your age or interest — if you want to improve communities near and far -- check us out! We meet two Fridays a month from 12:00 - 1:00 pm at the Pearl Country Club (Grille Room). Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. Locally, we make a difference in our community with clean up projects, food drives, and scholarships for local area high schools. The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self.

Rotary Club of Pearlridge presents Pearl City Elementary 3rd graders with free dictionaries By Barry Villamil, Past Pres...
10/06/2026

Rotary Club of Pearlridge presents Pearl City Elementary 3rd graders with free dictionaries

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) kicked of their Annual Rotary International Free Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Project last week with visits to Aiea and Pearl City Elementary third grade classrooms. I would like to share highlights from the RCOP visit to Pearl City Elementary School on Friday, October 2, 2026. Free dictionaries were presented and gifted to the students and teachers by RCOP Rotarians led by RCOP Dictionary 5000 Project and Good Citizen Awards Co-Chairs Emily Kuraoka and Grant Kuraoka, President Tim Mehlhorn, member Terri Mehlhorn, and Past President Barry Villamil.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge will present free dictionaries to third graders and their teachers representing fourteen participating Aiea and Pearl City Elementary public and private schools during the 2026 – 2027 school year. The RCOP will also present one boy and one girl from each school with a Good Citizen Award for best exemplifying the Principles of Rotary International’s Four Way Test that was included in the inside cover of each dictionary:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Good Citizen Award winners will be chosen by their teachers and presented their awards consisting of a Congratulatory letter from the RCOP President, and a $50.00 check scholarship at the end of the school year awards ceremony.

We all had a great time introducing the students to their brand new dictionaries. The third graders helped one another look up certain words and their definitions. RCOP members and the Pearl City Elementary School third grade teachers also had fun helping the students.

RCOP presenting member Terri Mehlhorn guided the third graders through the sign language pages contained in their dictionaries by sharing her expertise as a retired sign language teacher. Terri helped them spell their school’s name: Pearl City Elementary School. Terri was great and the students enjoyed learning sign language for the first time.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge would like to express its sincere gratitude and thanks to all the schools, their administrations, third grade teachers and students for welcoming the RCOP into their schools and classrooms to present the gift of literacy while inspiring learning to over eight-hundred third graders and their teachers each year.

The RCOP Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Project are made possible by the generous support of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge Foundation. We honor the late Dick Mosko, RCOP Charter Member, Past RCOP President and Past District 5000 Governor, who laid the groundwork and managed the growth and financial success of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge Foundation that supports thousands of our youth today through financial assistance, mentorships, and community volunteer opportunities. Dick Mosko continues to be an inspiration for his service to the Rotary Club of Pearlridge, the Pearl City and Aies communities, and Hawaii Rotary District 5000. He defines the Heart and Soul of being a contributing Rotarian that always made a difference in the lives he touched and served.

Also, a very special mahalo to the RCOP membership who’s financial and volunteer support has truly made a difference in the well-being and happiness of residents and their ohana in the Aiea and Pearl City communities.

Service Above Self

Proud to be a Rotarian

Photos and videos by Barry Villamil

Ai expert, Vincent Brathwaite – Founder and Owner of /gidens/ featured as special guest speaker at Rotary Club of Pearlr...
09/30/2026

Ai expert, Vincent Brathwaite – Founder and Owner of /gidens/ featured as special guest speaker at Rotary Club of Pearlridge lunch meeting

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

I would like to say mahalo to former Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) guest speaker and friend Keven Matsuura, Vice President, Finance Factors, who introduced special guest speaker Vincent Brathwaite – Founder and Owner of /gidens/ to Rotary Club of Pearlridge members in attendance at the clubs lunch meeting held on Friday, September 25 at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center in Pearl City.

The RCOP is blessed with exceptional and extremely interesting, talented, difference maker guest speakers who instantly connect with our members and guests at each lunch meeting. Vincent Brathwaite took it to the next level with his inspiring presentation and instant connection with club members. Mr. Brathwaite opened his presentation, sharing his love for art beginning in elementary school and being encouraged by his father, after seeing his talent, to follow his inspiration and love for art. Mr. Brathwaite is extremely educated with a diverse background and experience in many facets of design technology. He is also an excellent educator and speaker.

Mr. Brathwaite, who has based his business /gidens/ in Hawaii, focused his speech on the topic of Ai technology, that is top of mind today, and how his company focuses on automating small business and empowering them via Ai while shaping, improving, and empowering the future here in Hawaii and around the world.

I have video links below that highlights Mr. Brathwaite’s visit and provides a look into his business journey, as well as the future of Ai through his vision, passion, business, and community success.

Mahalo to Mr. Brathwaite for opening the floor during a Q&A session with RCOP members that fielded their questions, comments, and concerns on the future of Ai in their lives.

Service Above Self
Proud to be a Rotarian

Photos and videos by Barry Villamil

Highlands Intermediate Interact Club / Student Council presented $250.00 donation checks from Rotary Club of Pearlridge,...
09/29/2026

Highlands Intermediate Interact Club / Student Council presented $250.00 donation checks from Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association, Mr. Eric Fujimoto (Ho’ea Foundation)

By Barry Villamil, Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association, MyPearlCity.com

I had a great opportunity to join Tim Mehlhorn, President of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge and Terri Mehlhorn, Rotary Club of Pearlridge member this morning to present annual $250.00 check donations to the Highlands Intermediate School Interact Club / Student Council from the Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP), Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association, and Mr. Eric Fujimoto (Ho’ea Foundation, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge).

Mr. Eric White, Advisor, Highlands Intermediate School Interact Club / Student Council

“We would like to thank the several, two-hundred fifty dollar check donations today from the Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association, and Mr. Eric Fujimoto. Thank you for donating the checks to our organization that will go towards creating more fun activities for our school. So, thanks again for the seven-hundred fifty dollars that will go towards a great cause.”

The annual $250.00 check donations are a part of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge partnership with Pearl City and Aiea businesses and community leaders to enhance our RCOP Youth Interact Leadership Program / Student Council through financial support, mentorships, and community volunteer projects.

I was honored to represent the Rotary Club of Pearlridge as Past President and current RCOP Interact Director, as well as representing the Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association this morning during the check donations presented in the Highlands Intermediate School Interact Club / Student Council classroom.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association, and Mr. Eric Fujimoto (Ho'ea Foundation) for their annual, generous donations to Mr. Eric White and the Highlands Intermediate School Interact Club / Student Council youth leaders.

Photo by Terri Mehlhorn, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

Rotary Club of Pearlridge honors, pays tribute to souls and survivors of 9/11 on its 25th Anniversary with special Rotar...
09/12/2026

Rotary Club of Pearlridge honors, pays tribute to souls and survivors of 9/11 on its 25th Anniversary with special Rotarian speaker Gilbert “Gil” Mestler

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) would like to send their prayers to the blessed souls who perished on this day 25 years ago in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. We would also like to send our prayers to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as survivors and their families.

The RCOP was truly honored to welcome special guest speaker Rotarian Gilbert “Gil” Mestler to our lunch meeting on Friday, September 11 that was held at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center. After RCOP President Tim Mehlhorn introduced Oahu Central Assistant District Governor Dennis Drake, AG Drake introduced our guest speaker Mr. Mestler to the RCOP membership in attendance. AG Drake and Mr. Mestler are both members of Rotary Club of Pearl Harbor and very close friends.

Mr. Mestler spoke about his experience and profound connection to 9/11 and to many who lost their lives, as well as those who lost loved ones. Mr. Mestler is born and raised in New York City and was living in New York City on the day of the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001. He is a 1975 Graduate of West Point, Infantry Officer, Army Special Forces Green Beret, an Attorney, Registered Intensive Care Nurse, and Afghanistan/Iraq War Veteran.

Mr. Mestler was invited by Honolulu City and County Mayor Rick Blangiardi to speak on Friday night at the city’s 25th 9/11 Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony. The RCOP was given an opportunity to hear a part of his speech during our lunch meeting. It was a very emotional speech and a true testament to the courage, bravery, and American spirit of sacrifice of one’s self to save others in time of tragedy.

We were blessed to have Mr. Mestler as our clubs incredibly inspirational speaker on a day that once again touched all Americans and the world in remembrance of 9/11 on its 25th Anniversary.

Mahalo to AG Drake and Mr. Mestler for being there on Friday in support of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge.

Service Above Self

Proud to be a Rotarian

Photos and videos by Barry Villamil

Sending prayers and Aloha for all to be safe during stormy Hurricane LOWELL weatherBy Barry Villamil, Past President, Ro...
09/08/2026

Sending prayers and Aloha for all to be safe during stormy Hurricane LOWELL weather

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

I would like to send my prayers to our Pearl City community, communities on Oahu, across the Hawaiian islands, and to the residents and their ohana on the islands of Niihau and Kauai who are in the direct track of Hurricane Lowell.

As Hurricane Lowell unleashes it's power throughout the night and tomorrow, please stay safe and care for one another.

My prayers are always with you. God Bless..

Pearl City High School Interact club opens new school year with first meeting, receives financial support from Rotary Cl...
09/05/2026

Pearl City High School Interact club opens new school year with first meeting, receives financial support from Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association

By Barry Villamil | Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

The Pearl City High School Interact Club held their first lunch meeting of the 2026-2027 school year before a packed classroom of members on Friday, September 4, 2026.

PCHS Interact President Reagan Chang introduced 2026-2027 Officers, Board members and committee chairs which included presentations for upcoming 2026-2027 school and community service projects and fundraisers.

I had a wonderful opportunity to present the club with $250.00 donation checks while representing the Rotary Club of Pearlridge and the Pearl City Shopping Merchants Association.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge and Pearl City Shopping Center Merchants Association annually supports the Pearl City High School Interact Club and the Highlands Intermediate Interact Club (Pearl City) with financial donations, leadership mentorship’s, as well as volunteering side by side together at annual Honolulu City & County Clean Water community environmental clean-up projects, and Pearl City community family-oriented events.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge also supports the Our Lady of Good Counsel School Interact Club (Pearl City) and the Cross Academy Interact Club (Aiea) with annual $250.00 check donations, leadership mentorship’s, volunteer partnerships with community environmental clean-up projects, and family-oriented events.

Mahalo to Pearl City High School Interact Advisor/Teacher Mr. Dane Souza and PCHS Interact President Reagan Chang for inviting and welcoming me to their club lunch meeting on Friday.

The PCHS Interact Club will once again embark on an ambitious and rewarding school and community service projects schedule in 2026-2027 that truly benefits those in Hawaii and around the world with their impressive and heartfelt leadership skills while extending the Spirit of Aloha to all.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge and Pearl City Shopping Center Merchant Association are proud and honored to be a part of the growth and support of our Youth Interact Leaders as they set forth upon their mission and vision of perpetuating a better world via their actions and successes today, and well into the future,

Service Above Self

Proud to be a Rotarian

Photos by Barry Villamil

AG Drake visits, speaks at Rotary Club of Pearlridge - Mehlhorn, Tsukada sworn in as new membersBy Barry Villamil, Past ...
09/02/2026

AG Drake visits, speaks at Rotary Club of Pearlridge - Mehlhorn, Tsukada sworn in as new members

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) was truly honored to welcome Oahu Central Assistant District Governor Dennis Drake as a special guest speaker at the clubs lunch meeting held on Friday, August 28 at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center in Pearl City.

AG Drake was also present to participate and congratulate new RCOP members Terri Mehlhorn and Jake Tsukada after being sworn in by RCOP President Tim Mehlhorn.

AG Drake proudly called up Past RCOP President Eric Fujimoto (2025-2026) to present him with a recognition certificate and pin from Past Hawaii Rotary District 5000 District Governor Nancy Cabral (2025-2026) for his exceptional service as RCOP President.

Mahalo to AG Dennis Drake for being there last Friday as our club celebrated the expansion of two more incredible members to our roster.

Service Above Self

Proud to be a Rotarian

Videos and photos by Barry Villamil

Jake Tsukada, Financial Planner RCOP Officer speaks at Rotary Club  of PearlridgeBy Barry Villamil, Past President, Rota...
08/08/2026

Jake Tsukada, Financial Planner RCOP Officer speaks at Rotary Club of Pearlridge

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

Jake Tsukada, Financial Planner with The Ho’ea Foundation and Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP)Treasurer was our clubs special lunch meeting guest speaker on Friday at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center.

Jake’s speaking agenda included a very informative 101 on “Anticipating your tax bracket” in the following areas:

*Explore maximum pre-tax contributions

*Think about the pros and cons of converting your IRA to a Roth IRA

*Consider if you expect to be taxed at lower or higher brackets during retirement

Jake’s speaking agenda also included information with regard to being eligible for Social Security and what age to apply.

We were all truly honored to have Jake share his financial planning expertise on Friday with his fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Pearlridge and online on our club page.

We are also honored to have Jake, who is a former University of Hawaii standout Rainbow baseball player on our RCOP team that is dedicated to serving our community.

Jake is a part of the Ho’ea - Wealth Advisory Group (Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.) led by Eric Fujimoto, Private Wealth Advisor and Board Member, Past President of the Rotary Club of Pearlridge.

Service Above Self

Videos and photos by Barry Villamil

Rotary Club of Pearlridge honors Dictionary 5000, Good Citizen Awards co-chairs Emily and Grant Kuraoka for their except...
07/16/2026

Rotary Club of Pearlridge honors Dictionary 5000, Good Citizen Awards co-chairs Emily and Grant Kuraoka for their exceptional service

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

It was an immensely proud and appreciative moment for the Rotary Club of Pearlridge to honor and recognize Emily and Grant Kuraoka for their exceptional service, dedication, and success while leading the RCOP’s annual Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Program as its co-chairs. Both Emily and Grant served as honored guest speakers on Friday, July 10 during the RCOP lunch meeting held at the Highlands Intermediate School Student Center in Pearl City.

Emily and Grant put their Heart and Soul into the success of the RCOP’s annual Dictionary 5000 and Good Citizen Awards Program that reaches out to over eight-hundred third graders and their teachers in fourteen public and private schools in both the Aiea and Pearl City communities. The RCOP Dictionary 5000 Program annually provides free dictionaries and Good Citizen Awards sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pearlridge Foundation.

In the beginning of each new school year, Emily and Grant order dictionaries, prep dictionaries by placing Rotary International’s Four Way Test in each dictionary and organize dictionary presentation dates and times with each school. Emily and Grant also distribute dictionaries to RCOP who volunteer their time to serve as free dictionary presenters. Most of the free dictionary presentations are made by Emily and Grant.

At the end of each school year, Emily and Grant prepare for the Good Citizen Awards presentations. One third grade boy and girl from each of the fourteen schools are chosen by their teachers to receive the prestigious award for best exemplifying the Principles of Rotary International’s Four Way Test. Each third grader receives a Congratulatory letter from the current RCOP President, and a $50.00 scholarship check provided by the RCOP Foundation. Emily and Grant connect with teachers to receive the names of the Good Citizen Awards recipients and schedule presentation dates and times. Presentations are made by Emily, Grant and RCOP volunteers at each of the school’s end of year awards assemblies.

Mahalo to Emily and Grant for their tireless dedication and inspiration to us all in the true spirit of “Service Above Self”. The wonderful mother and son Rotarian bond have put thousands of smiles on the faces of third graders and their teachers with each dictionary and Good Citizen Award presentation throughout the years

“On The Go” with the Rotary Club of PearlridgeBy Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of PearlridgeMahalo to my R...
06/13/2026

“On The Go” with the Rotary Club of Pearlridge

By Barry Villamil, Past President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge

Mahalo to my Rotary Club of Pearlridge (RCOP) buddies who shared a wonderful lunch and fellowship together on Friday at Sadie’s BBQ Inn located at the Pearl City Shopping Center.

The Rotary Club of Pearlridge invites their membership to enjoy an “On The Go” lunch meeting one Friday of each month while supporting local restaurants in Aiea and Pearl City.

Mahalo Tim, Terri, Sarah, Jake, and Ed who I joined for a great time together as Rotarians.

I would like to invite you to check out Sadie’s BBQ Inn located on the makai side of the Pearl City Shopping Center next to Long’s Drug Store.

Ono Korean BBQ and great burgers!

Have a safe and nice weekend!

Service Above Self

Address

98-535 Kaonohi Street
Aiea, HI
96701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 1pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm

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