Past AAUW Hilo Sponsored Events
Varied Fund Raising Events
Educational Themes
4/27/18 to 4/29/18
AAUW State Convention 2018
State Convention held every two years. National AAUW CEO Kimberly Churches came from Washington DC and gave an inspirational message! It was an invigorating conference, made even more exciting since Hawaii State legislature passed an Equal Pay Bill just the day before the convention started! In the first picture, AAUW National CEO Kim Churches is flanked by two members of the Hawaii State Public Policy Group, who successfully lobbied for the state’s first Equal Pay Bill. Their shirts read “Advocating for women and girls of Hawaii.
4/14/18 High Tea/ Fundraiser
High Tea on the Lanai overlooking the meadows and ocean for a wonderful fundraising event.
4/12/18
General Meeting with Branch Member Donna Barr speaking
about her work in the Peace Corps in Samoa
4/10/18
EQUAL PAY DAY
3/26/18
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH ZONTA
Many Hilo branch members attended a Zonta which honored two amazing women’s as part of Zonta International’s observance of International Women’s Day and Zonta Rose Day. This year honorees were: US Senator Mazie Hirono in recognition of her state, national and international contributions to improve the quality of life for humanity, and community leader Irene Nagao, for her contributions to organizations and programs in our community that benefitted women, youth and individuals who needed a second or third chance at life.
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3/10/18
AAUW BI BRANCH HILO/ KONA
Annual meeting held on March 10th at West Hawai’i Explorations Academy in Kona. Great camaraderie. Note Hilo member Nina Buchanan was one of the founding members of this award winning school!
3/6/18
JOURNEY TO THE UNIVERSE
AAUW & Zone supporting the science educational program – Journey to the Universe at local schools.
3/4/18
OSCAR PARTY FUNDRAISER
Just a few of the 25 ladies who attended our “Gala” AAUW fundraiser – Oscar night fun for scholarship fundraising. Rodger and Paul Steed even did valet parking!! 90 lb Ruger dog greeted all attendees cheerfully and then happily sat on the red carpet cautiously protecting the Oscar Statue!
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3/1/18
PANDEMICS: TRACKING CONTAGIONS,
FROM CHOLERA, EBOLA AND BEYOND
Sonia Shah, investigative journalist & author of critically acclaimed and prize- winning books on science, human rights, and international politics. Co- sponsored by AAUW Hilo and UHH.
2/17/18
AAUW Hilo Awards Junior Girls
Science/ Engineering Fair
Each year Hilo AAUW is proud to award ten middle school girls with science awards at the Hawaii District Science and Engineering Fair. The science projects were impressive, and were judged by Hilo members Barbara Meguro and Rosemarie Muller. AAUW Hilo gives awards to the girls, who historically are underrepresented in the science arena. At the evening event at the college, Elizabeth Hansen came to give out the awards, along with Rosemarie and Barbara.
2/14/18
Free Scholarship Writing Workshop at UHH – 21 student attendees
2/10/18
Hiking at Kiholo with Member Hiking Enthusiast
Susan Hicks
1/18/18 – General Meeting with Prior Scholarship Winner
Marleena Sheffield on Studying in Peru
Marleena Scheffield- 2016 AAUW scholarship winner gave a fantastic powerpoint presentation last night on her year long studies in Peru. Bravo Marleena- you captivated the audience!
12/14/17
Holiday Fundraiser
Home of Mary Connie Banser
11/9/17
General Meeting – Let your voice Be heard
Special presentation from the Public Access Resource Group
from O’ahu. Presentation was on “How things work at the State Capitol; Learn to Add Your Voice!”
11/4/17 -Veterans Day Parade
our AAUW Hilo truck all decked out for the parade.
10/28/17 HALLOWEEN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
Halloween Fundraiser for Scholarships. Notice just a few of the many details that were at this amazing event
10/14/17 VISION PLANNING MEETING
Hilo Branch Vision Planning Meeting. 18 members attended the day long brain storming session. Pictured here are 40 plus year member Helen Hemmes (left) and brand new member Springer Kaye (right) – to show the diversity of thought processes on this vision day.
9/20/17 GENERAL MEETING
On 9/20/17 – at our first General Meeting of the Season – Dr. Farrah- Marie Gomes, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at UHH was our guest speaker. She shared with us about the goals/thoughts on empowering women on Hawai’i Island through the efforts of the Hawai’i Island Women’s Leadership Forum. .
Dr. Gomes is a recipient of the Pacific Business News “40 under 40” award and was recognized by the same organization as a “Woman to Watch” as part of their “Women Who Mean Business” awards. In 2014 Dr. Gomes was a founding member of the Hawai’i Island Women’s Leadership Forum and chaired the 2015 and 2016 Hawai’i Island Women’s Leadership Summits attended by 300 and 350 participants, respectively.
Following this we had our Treasurer Carolyn Murray, discuss our financial report for the last fiscal year. Then -as said our impromptu speaker – member Susan Hicks – she was ready to share her story after being inspired by Dr. Gomes. Susan gave a riveting presentation about her volunteering for the Red Cross this month at a “mega shelter” of 2500 displaced people due to Hurricane Harvey. Mega Kudos to Susan!
9/3/17
ALOHA LUNCHEON
Starting out our new Calendar year with an “Aloha Luncheon”.
40 members attended this fun event with a presentation by member Donna Barr on native Hawaiian plants.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL FUNDRAISER
6/10/17
Mahalo to Annette & Kathi!
General Meeting
May 25, 2017 at 5pm
Hawai`i Community College
After a brief business meeting, we heard from our only 50 year member Janet Fujioka who spoke about her AAUW presidency and the many service activities she engaged with over the years — it was quite impressive.
Dr. Brooke Hansen, Hilo Branch member since Sept. 2016, spoke about “Activist Anthropology and Service Learning in Native America and Hawai`i.” She discussed her professional and personal connections with the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois) and her collaborative work with Clan Mothers, Chiefs, herbalists and community members of the Cayuga and Onondaga Nations. The course she developed and ran in Hawai`i since 1999 drew her in to the cultural revitalization efforts of Native Hawaiians and the sustainability issues facing the island. She resigned from her 18 years as a professor at Ithaca College and moved to Hilo in June 2016. She is now the interim Director of Applied Learning Experiences at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo and an affiliate Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology. She teaches courses on women and farming, agritourism and spice agribusiness in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management. (Photo: Janet Fujioka left, Brooke Hansen right).
2017 Scholarship Award Luncheon May 6, 2017
We are excited to announce the first time our Hilo Branch has been able to grant $6,000 in scholarship awards! We honored the recipients at the Scholarship Luncheon on Sat. May 6th at the Hilo Yacht Club.
We had 18 applicants and were able to award money to four students. Two students received $2,000 each and two students received $1,000 each. Student bios below are from Scholarship Chair, Rosemarie Muller. The scholarship decision making committee consisted of Donna Barr, Margaret Elcock, Ann Jordan Hunt, Rosemarie Muller, and Jane Panek.
Heather Ah Cook. $2,000
Graduate student in the PharmD degree, graduation anticipated May 2020, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at University of Hawai’i, Hilo. Heather was interested in the health field because of her family history. Her great grandmother was a “Kahuna” and made several herbal medicines to help the Native Hawaiian Community. She wants to use the knowledge and discipline given by her elders to help her community. (pictured right)
Katherine S. Post. $2,000
Graduate student in the PharmD degree, graduation expected May 2018, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at University of Hawai’i, Hilo. 
Ever since she was young, she wanted to have a career in the medical field. She wants to be a pharmacist that works with patients to heal and recover. She herself has faced a shocking diagnosis and her journey has helped her gain empathy towards others. She is an active member in her cancer support group, Malama Ka Pili Pa’a, which currently does a lot in the Hilo community. (pictured below)
Jamae Valdez Balagot $1,000
Undergraduate at University of Hawai`i, Hilo
Biology Major : Molecular and Cellular
When she came to Hawaii she didn’t know a word of English. She feels very blessed because she had the opportunity to come to Hawaii and experience a whole new life and have a better education system compared to the school in her hometown back in the Philippines. Her career goals consist of aspiring to be a Pediatrician.
Nicole Garcia $1,000
Graduate Student – M.A. Heritage Management Program (Anthropology Departme
nt) at University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Nicole quoted in her personal statement, “To me, anthropology is the path to understanding how humans have learned from and contributed to the condition of the world today and how they (we) will frame the future. Her special interest is the history of the paniolos and the north Hamakua coast. (Nicole, right, with AAUW member Phyllis Cullen).
We of AAUW Hilo Branch salute these students and wish them happiness and success in all their future endeavors.
AAUW HILO
co-sponsor of Human Trafficking Panel
US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (bottom left) was one of the panelists in the AAUW co-sponsored discussion on Human Trafficking. Seated are Panelists: Tulsi Gabbard, US Representative,Celia Bardwell Jones, Professor of Philosophy said and Gender and Women’s Studies; Dale Ross, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Top – Right to left: AAUW Hilo members: Joanna Smith, Elizabeth Hansen, Jane Panek, and Lehua McClung.
Huge audience. Mahalo to all participants from AAUW -Hilo.
GENERAL MEETING 2/23/17
Phyllis Cullen, physician and artist, presented “HERstory” at the General Meeting on Thursday, February 23, 2017. “HERstory”, textiles telling stories, is a nationwide fabric artist program highlighting significant women achievers in recent history. —
at Hawaii Community College.
Bi-Branch Luncheon Held at Hilo Yacht Club
1/28/17
Scholarship Fundraiser working with materials and expertise donated via the silent auction from the Holiday Party
Holiday Party and Auction
December 8, 2016
Our annual holiday party and fundraiser was held on December 8 at the beautiful home of Sheryl Rawson. The house was sparkling with holiday cheer and everyone was in the holiday spirit.
November 16, 2016
5pm
UH Hilo UCB 100
Film screening of IRON JAWED ANGELS
General Meeting
November 3, 2016 at 5pm
HCC room 379-1
Speaker: Bobbye St. Ambrogio
VP Programs – Annette Barr
She has had over 35 years experience with community policing and working with the public.Her talk will be about introducing the “volunteer spirit” in all of us.
HALLOWEEN FUN – FUNDRAISER
SAT. 10/29/16
HOME OF ANNETTE BARR
Our AAUW Halloween Fundraiser on Saturday was a huge success.
It was a elegant, fun, and full of creative details coupled with wonderful food.
AUGUST 2016
Join us to start the new AAUW Hilo Calendar Year at the home of Linda Levine.
CLIFFSIDE, overlooking the ocean! Don’t miss it!
Catered Lunch – Details to follow.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS NOW THRU 9/30/16
Voter Registration
AAUW Hilo branch members helped with Voter Registration on Friday, October 7 and Monday, October 10 at Malama Market in Pahoa.
Registered 63 new voters on Monday alone.
First General Meeting of the season-on- Thursday, September 22, 2016.
Left to right: Deb Lewis, Speaker, Elizabeth Hansen, AAUW Hilo President and Nina Buchanan, who was honored on her 40th year of membership in AAUW.
Deb Lewis’s presentation was titled “Positively Takes Courage!”.
ALOHA LUNCHEON
SUN. 9/4/16 – HOME OF LINDA LEVINE
8/26/16
AAUW Hilo at 2nd Annual Hawaii Island Women’s Leadership Summit
Over 350 women – ranging from college students to stay-at – home moms to working professionals to retirees attended this amazing conference. Per the conference goals–
“It was a chance to empower women through knowledge, strength and equality.” Workshops and key note speakers were inspiring.
AAUW Hilo Branch was one of the groups offering a table with information on our organization. After all, AAUW’s mantra as noted on all our literature ( and our banner pictured below) is “empowering women since 1881”. Pictured left to right– Past Branch President Rosemarie Muller and Current Branch President Elizabeth Hansen on right reported that they were energized and enthused at being at the one-day summit, held at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel.
7/27/16- Hawaii County Mayoral Forum – All Candidates Invited
11 of the 13 Mayoral Candidates participated in the moderated forum with AAUW Hilo and LWV co-sponsors. Media coverage by NaLeo TV, live broadcast by KPUA 670 AM radio,live stream broadcast by Hawaii 24/7 and covered by Big Island Video News. To highlight the plight of the homeless on the Island, Hope Service sold rice and chili as a fundraiser during this dinner hour forum.
5/7/16 SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON HILO YACHT CLUB –
HONORING OUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS/ INSTALLING NEW OFFICERS
Three of our four scholarship winners, 2016. Left to Right: Mya Yee Nandar, Carola Geitner, Jelyn Heaster, Marleena Scheffield (not pictured)
2016/ 2017 Board Members: Carolyn Murray- Treasurer, Kathi Katz,-VP Fundraising, Elizabeth Hansen- President, Annette Barr- VP Programs, Sheryl Rawson- Secretary; Julie Goettsch, Membership VP (not pictured)
Mentee Ashley Fujkuchi/ Mentor Joan Lindenau
Centerpieces with cards showing Famous American Women to Emulate
Outgoing President Rosemarie Muller speaking with guests under AAUW banner
“ADVOCATING FOR WOMEN IN PARADISE”
AAUW-Hawaii’s Convention 2016
4/29/16 to 5/1/16
Even in our beautiful state of Hawaii, there are issues and problems to address. This year’s convention will focus on how AAUW responds to the needs of women in our state by providing information, inspiration, support, and an avenue to work toward a more just life for every woman in Hawaii.
Sessions will include: Access to Success – Helping Women Achieve in Community Colleges, Legislative Efforts to Curb Violence Against Women – Our Public Policy at Work, and Reproductive Rights – The Challenges to Maintain a Healthy Environment for Women.
A BURMESE WOMAN’S JOURNEY”
4/14/16
A riveting presentation about “A BURMESE WOMAN’S JOURNEY” is open to the community. Mya Yee Nandar, a UH Nursing Student, will present her story which is both frightening and courageous. Beginning as a tour guide, leading people to remote parts of her country, and discovering utmost poverty and lack of health care inspired Mya Yee Nandar to become involved in the health profession. Nadal began her study in Thailand and ultimately she was recommended to come to the University of Hawaii at Hilo. What Ms. Nandar will share with the audience is like nothing they have heard previously. This event is being planned by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the UH Women’s Center, and the UH Women’s Studies Department.
HIGH TEA & AUCTION FUNDRAISER
Home of Dinnie Kysar, Hakalau
April 2, 2016
Successful fundraiser in a Bucolic setting overlooking the ocean and the pastures.
About Patsy Mink
Ahead of the Majority Film screening / Panel Discussion
3/30/16
ABOUT PATSY MINK, PAST MEMBER OF AAUW HILO BRANCH!
In 1965, Patsy Takemoto Mink became the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress. Seven years later, she ran for the U.S. presidency and co-authored Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened up higher education and athletics to America’s women. Patsy Mink was a Member of AAUW Hilo Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority is the story of this dynamic trailblazer who, battling racism and sexism, redefined American politics.
Panelists tonight included: AAUW Hilo member & UHH Professor Emerita, Nina Buchanan, Libby Bailey, UHH Title IX Coordinator, and UHH Assistant Professor Christopher Lauer, who teaches a class on the Philosophy of Sports, which includes the impacts of IX legislation. Left to right in picture: AAUW Hilo President, Rosemarie Miller, Lehua McClung- UHH Women’s Center, Libby Bailey, UHH Title IX Coordinator, UHH Professor Lauer, UHH Professor Emerita Nina Buchanan, and Elizabeth Hansen, AAUW Hilo- Membership VP.
3/7/16 TO 3/11/16
JOURNEY TO THE UNIVERSE
MEMBERS ASSISTING IN SCHOOL PROGRAM
3/16 /16 – GENERAL MEETING at HCC
Speaker Debra Cannoles – an AAUW-Hilo 2013 Scholarship Recipient.
Her presentation was on “Teach for America-Hawaii”.
MONTHLY HIKE 3/5/16
WAILUKU RIVER HIKE
OSCAR PARTY FUNDRAISER 2/28/16
HOME OF SHERYL RAWSON
2/16/16; 2/10/16
FREE WRITING WORKSHOPS
STRATEGIES FOR PREPARING APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Location- UHH- open to any student interested in strategies for preparing applications for scholarships. Focus particularly on those wishing to apply for the AAUW scholarships.
2/13/16
AWARDING GIRLS AT SCIENCE/ ENGINEERING FAIR
Middle School girls receiving AAUW Awards
Above: multiple years tee shirts received over the years by middle school participants
2/6/16
AAUW HILO HIKE GROUP
FIRST EVER GROUP to PU’U O UMI
AAUW HILO HIKE GROUP FIRST EVER GROUP TO GO TO THE PU’U O UMI NATURAL AREA RESERVE in the Kohala Mountains. Anya Tagawa was our hike leader. She received a grant from AAUW for her Masters , and will be the speaker in May at our General Meeting.
SAT. 1/30/16
HILO/ KONA BI-BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCHEON
MAI GRILL, HILTON WAIKOLA GOLF COURSE
Hilo- Kona Bi-Branch Luncheon Waikoloa. Great meeting/ camaraderie between branches in a fabulous venue. Guest Speaker: Nicole Lowen, Hawaii State House Representative, who represents Kailua-Kona & Holualoa (pictured alone at mic).
HOLIDAY PARTY & FUNDRAISER AUCTION 2015
Fundraiser auction was a great success, as was a successful festive party at the home of member Joan Lindenau.
GENERAL MEETING –11/18/15
Branch updates and
Guest Speaker, Lisa Rantz,
Executive Director, Hilo Medical Foundation
Pictured: Events VP- Kristen Luning, President- Rosemarie Muller, Guest Speaker- Lisa Rantz, Member- Helen Hemmes, and HCC Mentee- Valerie Belcher.
SOCIAL EVENT – INFORMAL GET TOGETHER – 11/11/15
WAINAKU EXECUTIVE CENTER, HILO
Social fun and networking overlooking the lovely Hilo Bay
Gathered together to socialize, enjoy the music and views.
PROGRESSIVE DINNER FUNDRAISER- 10/17/15
MEMBERS HOMES / KEAAU SUBDIVISION
Pupus/ Main Meal/ Dessert at the homes of three members,
who reside in walking distance of each other.
GENERAL MEETING 9/16/15 – SPEAKER Marina Karides,
UHH Associate Professor of Sociology
“From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and into the Pacific: Gender Studies, Island Studies, and How an AAUW Educational Foundation American Fellowship Launched a Career”
ALOHA LUNCHEON 8/30/15
Hilo Yacht Club
AAUW Member – Phd Pharmacology Student
Nalini Yadav was guest speaker.
Lovely setting to start our new season.
JULY 2015 HIKE
This is a Palila protected area in high ,dry forest. Hike was led by Biologist Anya Tagawa, a former recipient of an AAUW scholarship, which she used to complete her Masters degree. The other leader was her biologist husband Jackson, and their delightful 2 yr old son. We also went up Pu’u Huluhulu.
AUTHOR AT BOOK CLUB
7/12/15
Mark Panek, author of Big Happiness: The Life & Death of a Modern Hawaiian Warrior attended the Sunday AAUW book club. Fascinating to get the direct scoop from the author himself. Mark wore the shirt that commemorates the book’s main character- Percy Kipapa- the same shirt that the family tried to wear at the trial of Percy’s murderer.
6/20/15 KALOPA HIKE
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5/20/15- LAST GENERAL MEETING FOR FISCAL YEAR
Jennifer Stotter, UHH Director of Equal Opportunity Office and Title IX Coordinator was guest speaker, engaging her audience.
5/3/15–SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
SALUTING OUR AWARDEES
2015 Awardees:
Ashley Fukuchi, Samantha Hanabaga, Kathleen Smith and Heather Stever.
WAILUKU WATERSHED HIKE
4/25/15
So many waterfalls, lots of hikers to enjoy the wonderful view. They counted at least eight waterfalls! So lucky to live in the Hilo area!
4/23/15- UHH Campus Center- 301
Labor Pains: Fighting for Women in Science
AAUW Hilo & UHH Women’s Studies co-sponsored LABOR PAINS: FIGHTING FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE . Getting more women into STEM fields isn’t only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, according to AAUW.
Panel discussion covered: Career options for a science degree; What Women Scientists research; Why Women leave the sciences. Panel Moderator: Dr. Celia Bardwell-Jones, Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Program Coordinator of UHH Women Studies. UHH Panel Participants include: Dr. Kathy Cooksey, PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Assistant Professor in Physics and Astronomy; Dr. Marianne Takamiya, PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Associate Professor and Chair of Physics and Astronomy; and Dr. Natalie Crist, PhD in Chemistry, Instructor of Chemistry.