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A History of the Kiwanis Club of Maui
The year was 1947. World War II had ended in 1945. Hawaii was recovering from its forefront role and Maui was looking to the future, settling down and creating plans for growth, commerce, and direction. Pineapple and sugar production was the islands' lifeblood. Our story begins with a man who wanted another service club for the Maui community.
On Maui, Charles Young, acting manager and editor of Maui Publishing Company, was busy keeping up with news breaks on the war effort from around the world, as well as the home front. In March of 1945, he was sent to his hometown of Minneapolis on business.
Being the current deputy district governor of Lions International, Maui County Division, and a past president of the Maui Lions club, Young was already deeply involved with public service. He enjoyed nothing more than visiting other service clubs whenever he traveled. While in Minneapolis, Young naturally visited his former boss, Charley Johnson, who was the executive sports editor of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Johnson was also the president of the Minneapolis Kiwanis Club, and invited Young to two of the club's luncheon meetings. The Minneapolis club was one of the largest in Kiwanis International and Young was impressed with what he saw.
In March, 1947, while waiting to board a plane to Honolulu at the old Puunene Airport, Young read where R. Allen Watkins, owner of Watkins Printerey, was forming a Kiwanis Club in Honolulu. After he reached Honolulu, Young contacted Watkins who mentioned that the Kiwanis was organizing a club in Alaska. Watkins said in addition to Honolulu, they were also trying to get a club started in Hilo.
Late in May, Watkins called Young and said he and Kiwanis International organizer Ingram would be on Maui on Monday, June 2, 1947. They were interested in meeting with others interested in the Kiwanis Club at the Wailuku Hotel Gardens at noon for a short meeting. They were going to Hilo later that afternoon. In addition to Young, Ernie Damkroger, Ken McNicoll, Erling Wick, George Nichols, and William Cartwright attended. Ingram said the Kiwanis Club required at least 25 members for a charter and left a charter application.
Young signed up, so did Damkroger, McNicoll, Cartwright, and Nichols. Wick was all for a new Club but was committed to the Rotary Club. Ingram was hesitant about Maui coming up with at least 25 members, but they had the 25 members signed up before Hilo had enough members.
The organizational meeting was held on June 9th at the Maui Grand Hotel. The first regular meeting was held on Thursday, June 26, 1947 at the Maui Grand Hotel. The first guest speaker was Commander Earl Hedbloom, medical officer at the then about-to-close Kahului Naval Air Station. The charter was closed at that noon with 45 charter members. The first board of directors meeting was held at the Youngs' house on Thursday, July 3, 1947. At that time, they voted that the club's first two projects would be Maui's first Hobby Show and to see that road direction signs would be placed on Maui's highways.
The first member brought into the club after the Charter closed was Roger I. Knox, followed by John H.S. Kwon. Charter night (official recognition of the club) was Thursday July 23, 1947 at the Maui Country Club.
The Kiwanians were cautioned from the beginning: "Don't make the same mistakes Rotary has made so far . . . make your club interracial." (Taken from a speech by Charles C. Young, "Founding of the Kiwanis Club of Maui".)
The premise for the club was established at those early meetings; to be a public service club, becoming involved. Advisory committees were set up to aid both the general public and county in community related events. These criteria were established as part of the club charter by the Kiwanis International. For Maui, the national organization recommended an agriculture committee be set up by members both learned and experienced in this profession as Maui was then, as it is now, an agriculturally established community, sugar and pineapple the principal products. This committee was responsible for many projects that came to the forefront of Maui interests as time passed on. A milk program to supply milk to underprivileged children, grades one through eight, on Maui was started the club's first year. Through the years, this project received cooperation with the State Welfare Service until stopped in 1963 when a federal subsidy program took its place. At its height, 3,000 to 4,000 bottles of milk were distributed free daily.
1948 - Saw the establishment of the Kiwanis Club of Maui's Grammar School Track Meet. The club took care of all record keeping, officiating, awards, and food/beverage until early 1970 when the County of Maui's Parks and Recreation department took over some of these responsibilities. Other clubs and school groups took on the food and beverage concessions. Even today, the Kiwanis Club of Maui hosts the Maui Intermediate Track Meet and takes care of officiating and scoring with over 1,100 participants from twelve Maui schools (6th. 7th. and 8th qrades).
The year when a workshop was set up at the Olinda Prison Camp for the inmates. The club supplied woodworking equipment to the prisoners who then fashioned articles so as to make pocket money. This program continued till 1974 with the closing of the prison. Its warden, Al Souza, became a prominent Kiwanis Club member and later a president of the club twice (the only member to be president twice).
The club moved from the Maui Grand Hotel to the Old Wailuku Hotel. During renovations, they met at the Iao Needle Dining Room, then back to Wailuku Hotel; later Maui Palms; a short period at Tokyo Tei; back to Maui Palms, then to The Landing for several years and finally to Maui Palms. The exact timing of the various meeting location moves is uncertain.
Also noteworthy was the hobby show started in 1948, the first major project started by Ernest L. Damkroger. It showcased the art and talent of Mauians. From model planes and trains, mechanics and electronics, woodworking and crafting, and more. Awards were given out and even a Miss Hobby Show Queen was selected (i.e. Kiwanis of Maui Scrapbook). The project continued until 1954 when it was taken over by the Maui County Fair & Racing Association.
1949 - As ongoing programs continued, a total of 50 members started the year, Maui Kiwanis initiating even more. Of the most noteworthy club programs started that year was the Gumball machine project. Two members conceived and instituted a project on club approval as a money-making source. The Kiwanis Club of Maui continues the project still today with gumball and peanut machines to be seen in over forty stores and throughout Maui.
A treasure hunt for the children was established that year at the Annual Maui County Fair. This was the start of the Kiwanis involvement in the fair. Later in the late 60’s Kiwanians were used as ticket takers at the fair for all events. Tata Fujimoto chaired the event. The Treasure Hunt ended in 1981 as the Fair Association opted for more show entertainment.
A Kiwanis Kids Club was presented every Saturday morning at Iao Theatre. Children under 12 were shown two hours of movies so parents could take time for shopping. Many Maui parents took advantage of the low admission price (ten cents). This project ended in 1956.
1950 - The Korean War was being waged during this year whose effect on Hawaii meant another increase of military personnel in the islands due to our strategic importance in the Pacific. It was also the year Senator Joseph McCarthy informed President Harry Truman that the State Dept. was riddled with Communists and Communist sympathizers. On the home front, Maui saw increases in sugar and pineapple production, and a new awareness of tourism and travel related industries. The Kiwanis Club's newly instituted programs were doing well and the club enjoyed a membership of 50 members. Our president that year was J.A. (Al / Doc) Burden. Al has played an instrumental part in our’s and other clubs' histories.
1951 - Among new projects started was the Adventure Tours chaired by Al Burden. There were six travelogue movies shown over the winter months. The club ran it successfully until television arrived on Maui. 1,300 tickets for six shows were sold at $5.00 each. The movies were shown for ten cents at Maui, Baldwin, and Lahainaluna High Schools as a service project. The project ended in 1959. A Demolition Derby was run at the County Fair, the old race track, as another money-making project. The club also sponsored stock car races. One year, one of the Unser brothers ran. The project ran for two years until taken over by the Fair Association. The income averaged about $1,400 a year. The club also sponsored a successful but not repeated Soap Box Derby in 1951. Membership by the end of 1951 had increased to 58 members. Also sponsored was the annual Christmas party for 400 underprivileged children at Iao and Kahului Theatres (1951-1960 and 1984-present).
The club enjoyed increases in the size of ongoing projects and kept busy seeing to the seemingly myriad of details needed to successfully accomplish set goals. Leadership came from president Charles "Charlie" DuBois, with Lt. Gov. Ernest L. Damkroger. Damkroger was the First Division Lt. Governor from Maui.
1952 - One of the Kiwanis Club of Maui's most successful community events was established this year. After another club dropped the program, the Kiwanis of Maui picked up the sponsorship of the Midget Baseball League. Starting with just six teams, this program grew until 1956 when the Kiwanians sponsored its transition to the Little League. The club help with umpiring, scoring, organizing, raising funds, and donating countless man hours into what evolved into a program of sixteen Little League teams with 25 Minor or T-ball farm teams.
The club sponsored mainland ball games with Pasadena, California, and Beaverton, Oregon. On the first Kiwanis sponsored trip to the mainland for our championship team of 1964, California's Governor, Ronald Reagan, gave the club a letter of commendation. Maui teams were state champions in 1963 at Beverton, California, 1984, 1985, and 1986 and went on to the regional play-offs those years in San Bernardino, California. Our club president that year was Wally L. Doty.
The club undertook a grouse control project during 1952, and also created a program that assured a pillow and radio would be in every room of the Puunene Hospital. This further established our concern for the welfare of our community. Funds were raised to build the observation house and install a telescope at the new Kanaha Bird Sanctuary. Today one can still enjoy watching the ducks and rare Hawaiian stilt birds from the observation hale.
1953 - Again, the club kept busy with ongoing events. Leadership and direction came from President Roger I. Knox and Division Lt. Gov. J. A1 Burden.
1954 - The Korean War had been over for six months, but the new year saw the increase of McCarthyism in our government. On the local level, the Kiwanis Club of Maui adopted a "Minuteman Program" to battle against the spread of subversive ideologies. The club printed brochures against communism. It was also the year that the club instituted a project aimed at providing funds, shelter, clothing, and food to orphans of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima in Japan, under club president, George M. Talbot.
Another pet project of the Maui Kiwanis Club was instituted to help fund and support the Midget League Baseball program. This was the Chuckwagon Pancake Breakfast. Tickets were sold to the community by baseball players and a Saturday morning was chosen for the big event. Over 300 breakfasts were served. By 1987, 4,736 breakfasts were served providing the means to continue expanding the Little League programs.
1955 - Music and attitudes were changing. Rock and roll was born. Martin Luther King emerged as a leader for desegregation and Fidel Castro landed in Cuba intent on overthowing its government. Seemingly worlds away in Hawaii, statehood is being debated. On Maui, the club was increasing its ongoing community programs and projects. The club initiated career talks for seniors at Baldwin High School and revamped the bird observatory at Kanaha Pond in Kahului. George Craft took entertainer Auntie Emma Sharpe and three dancers to the Kiwanians National Convention and provided entertainment for the convention and its Ladies Program. These enterprising members also took along 150 palm hats and sold them to the delegates.
1956 - Under the direction of Al Burden, the Kiwanis Club of Maui sponsored the Kahului Kiwanis Club whose charter was February 25, 1956. Its first president was Robert F. Butler. Al Burden was instrumental in starting the Kahului Club and is now an honorary member. The Maui High School Key Club was organized in 1956 and chartered on August 9, 1957. First president was Robert Wassmore. George Craft was very helpful in setting up the Key Club.
1957 - Debates on Hawaii's statehood heated up both locally and nationally. The club's daily milk program for underprivileged children hit an all time high of 10,955 bottles of milk a year. 284 underprivileged children attended our Christmas party at the old Kahului Theatre. A dental program was begun at the suggestion of Dr. Sugino, Medical Social Service Director of the County of Maui. Fourteen boys and girls were taken care of by this program. The Ag Committee sponsored the use of tilapia fish in HC&S water reservoirs to control algae. The tilapia was imported from Honolulu as breeding stock and a breeding facilities was set up at the Kaheka Power Plant. Indirectly, the Club was responsible for the tournaments of tilapia fishing, consuming, and sport fishing for both young and old Mauians. You could say we helped establish a "Maui tradition". Our president for the year was Al Rego.
1958 - The Maui High Key Club continues until this day as a way for students to serve their community and gain maturity through responsibility and participation. Key Clubbers and Keywanettes have been instrumental in assisting Maui Kiwanians with fund-raising and community events. President Ty Benson and Division Lt. Gov. Dan Lancing served through 1958.
1959 - On the world scene, the big news was Fidel Castro who had gained control of Cuba while Hawaii became the 50th State. Our club sponsored the Kauai Kiwanis Club. Chartered on November 5, 1959, the club's first president was Stanley J. Vincent who was a Maui club member who was transferred to Kauai where he helped start the club. Our club president of the year was Iron Maehara.
1960 - Science in the form of a space program was at the forefront of interest. We as a nation were in a competition with Russia to see who would have the first man in space. Also, the beginning of the American "Camelot", also known as the Kennedy Years transpired when John F. Kennedy was elected President. On Maui, growth both in population and industry prompted projected communities and overall general planning for the future. Kaanapali Resort had opened. With the guidance of club president W.S. Haines, the club moved forward into the decade with great anticipation. Through the club's assistance both financially and organizationally, we helped establish Maui's YMCA (chaired by Howard Haines and Henry Vincent), an organization whose local growth rivals our Kiwanis Club and whose impact on the Maui community both denotes its service and programs as part of Maui's overall community structure. We enjoy a good relationship with Maui's YMCA and both clubs support each other in many fund-raising events benefiting Mauians directly. The club adopted and still helps maintains the cabin at Camp Keanae.
1961 - The Kiwanis Club of Maui sponsored the Lahaina Kiwanis which was chartered on April 30, 1961. The charter was later revoked in the 1970s due to lack of membership. Our president was Fred Van Voast, and Division Lt. Gov. was Charles F. DuBois. Ongoing club events continued successfully. It was also noted that the Little League program was growing at a tremendous rate. Plans were being drawn up for a Little League park near the War Memorial Gym.
1962 - Our club's ongoing projects kept members busy through the year. Our president, George Lupphold gave the club much needed support and guidance through this time of rapid expansion.
1963 - Nationally, 200,000 people marched on Washington supporting desegregation. President Kennedy was assassinated. The United States sent financial and economic support to South Vietnam. The Kiwanis Club of Maui continued its programs of community support and direction. Our Agriculture Committee was instrumental in selecting park sites and planting various types of plants and shrubbery to beautify Maui's parks, community centers, and highways. The Agriculture Committee also planted four koa trees on the grounds of the Maui Vocational School (later Maui Community College) on Arbor Day. The trees are still there. Under the leadership of club president Kenneth L. Hensley, the club finally obtained the Little League franchise for Maui County thus cementing our commitment to this program. Plans, with the support of the County of Maui, were finalized for a Little League Field.
1964 - $3,000 plus countless hours of manpower were donated by Kiwanis members as the Little League Fields were built by the County of Maui with labor furnished by Olinda prisoners. Community support for the program had blossomed to an islandwide drive to complete the project. Club president Alex D. Butchart directed club efforts to further expand ongoing programs. Al Burden, representing the Kiwanis International attended the organizational meeting of the first Kiwanis Club in Japan, the Kiwanis Club of Tokyo. Chartered on December 24th, their first president was Nobutaka Shikania, then president of the Nippon Broadcasting System. Fifty eight new members supported the founding in Tokyo.
1965 - Lyndon Johnson was the nation's president. The Vietnam War was escalating. Student protests on the bombing of North Vietnam were increasing. Muslim leader Malcom X's assassination increased racial tension. Locally, the tourism market was booming as people in general sought to escape the turbulence of the time. As Maui expanded, so did the Kiwanis Club of Maui. It was time to take on new projects to mix in with our ongoing programs. In 1965, we took over the sponsorship of two cabins at the Boy Scouts Camp Maluhia. This meant remodeling, painting, and general upkeep. Club president for the year was E. J. Sanderson. The Kiwanis Club of Maui, under the direction of Ag Chairman, Buddy Nobriga, persuaded Mr. Harold "Oskie" Rice to donate land in Kula to the club, who in turn donated it to the County which is now the Harold C. Rice County Park in Kula. The park has become famous as one of the most exquisite views of the island and is a favorite local stopping point.
1966 - Our club president was Ken D. Wood. Ongoing programs continued. Cabbage Head of the Year Award (humorous award) was started.
1967 - Club President for the year was W. L. Cox. Besides ongoing programs, plans were being made for the new Pukalani Community Center and Park by the County. Our Agriculture Committee assisted in the landscape plan.
1968 - Pukalani Community Center and park were completed. The Kiwanis Club of Maui not only assisted in the landscaping, but negotiated and supervised the use of Olinda Prison labor to complete the project (Al Souza was warden). The Kiwanis Club also sponsored the 4-H Beef, Steer, and Dairy Heifer exhibits and Auction at the Maui County Fair. The club also took over all ticket sales at entrances to the Maui County Fair. Club president was Toshio "Tata" Fujimoto.
1969 - Nationally, Richard Nixon was president of the U.S. Hundreds of thousands protested the Vietnam War. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair attracted 300,000 in New York, culminating the "love generation". On Maui, the island was coming to terms with its new "hippie" transit population. Our club remodeled the Bird Observatory and revamped the land peninsula at Kanaha Bird Sanctuary. Scholarships were awarded to 11 Key Club members who demonstrated both academic and social abilities worthy of the Kiwanian philosophy. Many underprivileged students were helped with loans so they could enroll at Maui Community College. Ongoing projects were revamped with a look towards even more rapid growth during the 70’s. Kiwanis International changed their fiscal year from (January 1 through December 31) to (October 1 through September 30). Al Souza was club president from January 1 to September 30, 1969. Charles I. Maruyama was club president from October 1, 1969 to September 30, 1970. Effective October 1, 1969, the Division Lt. Gov. was Iron Maehara, a charter member of our club.
1970 - Club President Charles I. Maruyama directed the Maui Kiwanis Club into the new decade. Plans were being established for the first islandwide cleanup campaign. Several years later, the Charles Maruyama Leadership Award, was started with $50 given to the top 4-Her.
1971 - Under the direction of club president J. Mark B. Sowers, the Kiwanis Club of Maui instituted the Kiwanis of the Year award, given to a member of outstanding character and devotion to his club's programs and community events. George Craft was the first to receive this honor in 1971/72. The islandwide cleanup campaign was again successful. Then Mayor Elmer Cravalho received a bag of trash for Christmas to mark the end of a massive effort by the island's young people and Kiwanis Club members to give Maui's citizens a litter free community for Christmas. This effort was featured in the Kiwanis Magazine, 1972. Ongoing projects still ran successfully occupying club members throughout the year.
1972 - Club president was Frank Alameda. Division Lt. Governor was George W. Craft. We, along with the Adelaide Australia Kiwanis, co-sponsored the Glenelg, Australia Kiwanis, charted on December 1, 1972. Its first president was Dean D. Maddaford. Our club's largest membership totaled 72 by the end of 1972.
1973 - Retailing on Maui took a giant leap when the Kaahumanu Shopping Center and the Maui Mall opened. The amount of retail space on Maui more than doubled. Club president that year was Henry Lau. Kiwanian of the Year was Jack Swan.
1974 - Club president was Jose Romero. Kiwanian of the Year was Bob Love.
1975 - Club president was John Kwon. Kiwanian of the Year was Bob Rising.
1976 - Club president was Walter G. Witte. Kiwanian of the Year was Al Souza. Al had been an outstanding member of our club and community leader for various charity and service organizations. His active support and contributions have added to the overall direction of our club. With the help of Al Souza, the club brought a circus to Maui. We handled tickets, concessions, and of course - clean up (everything they say about elephants and the rest, is true!). This was the beginning of several more circus visits. We found the circus to be a very profitable fund raiser.
1977 - Club president was Robert (Bob) Love. Kiwanian of the Year was Jits Matsubara. The Kiwanis Club of Maui sponsored the Kihei-Wailea Kiwanis Club. Walter Witte was instrumental in helping start the Kihei-Wailea Kiwanis. The club was chartered on March 23, 1977. Its first president was Victor Inglott who was a former member of the Maui Club.
1978 - Club president Alfred 0. Souza (second term) was recognized this year by District as a distinguished Club President. Kiwanian of the Year was Bob Carpenter. Lt. Gov. was Walter G. Witte. Not only did the Kiwanians host the District 3 Little League Play-offs, but we also sponsored Dr. Henry Heimlich's "life saving method" at Maui Mall. A "tongue-in-cheek" nonprofit corporation was formed within the club to be known as "The Portuguese Flashlight Company" with Al Souza as president and Buddy Nobriga as Chief Salesman. Stock was issued at $2.00 per share. All manner of weird "portuguese products" have been presented to the company for consideration, but to this day, no profits have been made nor dividends paid. The Lahaina Kiwanis, which was started in 1961, had some years before being disbanded. The Kiwanis Club of Maui sponsored a new charter to re-establish the Kiwanis Club of Lahaina on January 4, 1978. Their first president was Wilber F. Daily, Jr. During the year, sixty "Crime Prevention Kits" were distributed to nineteen Maui schools.
1979 - Club president was Tom Fitzgerald who was recognized as an Outstanding Club President by District. Kiwanian of the Year was Bob Merrill who was the community relations officer for Maui Police Dept. To counterbalance Souza's Portuguese Flashlight Company, a "Phantom Kiwanian" evolved. This creature secretly presented totally useless and worthless "Portagee" products to the company for consideration. Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during Christmas was started this year.
1980 - Club president was David Nobriga. Kiwanian of the Year was Tom Fitzgerald. The "Good Guy Award" was instituted by Bob Merrill and awarded monthly to deserving citizens of Maui. Canned goods for the needy were collected and distributed.
1981 - Club president was Bob Mounts. Easter sunrise service was started by Captain Joe Huttenlocker, Salvation Army. Kiwanian of the Year was Benny Keau. The return of the Continental Circus fund raiser helped boost our treasury to ensure operation of ongoing projects.
1982 - Club president was Abel Cravalho. Kiwanian of the Year was Tata Fujimoto. The Frank Alameda Scholarship Award was given to the outstanding Key Club member.
1983 - Club President was Ken Weber. Actually, Joe Gonzales started this year as president, but resigned in March, 1983 for health reasons and Weber completed the term of office. This was the first time the Club had two different presidents in one year. Kiwanian of the Year was Tom Fitzgerald. This was Tom's second Kiwanian of the Year award.
1984 - Club President was Steve Francis. Kiwanian of the Year was Buddy Nobriga.
1985 - Club President was Alvin Nishikara who affectionately has been known as "Shogun" due to his collection of some of the highest total member fines in the club's history. Kiwanian of the Year was Al Burden. The Continental Circus returned one more time giving our club $10,000 in profits.
1986 - Club President was Stan Arakawa. Stan was the Outstanding Club President in Division 22, and he was also the first Maui president who started in Kiwanis as a Key Club member at Maui High School. Kiwanian of the Year was Alvin Nishihara.
1987 - This was a year of change and growth. Kiwanis International voted to permit women into Kiwanis. The Maui club started the year with a membership of 49 and ended with 71 members. Twenty-six new members were inducted into the club under the leadership of membership chairman, Carl Abbate. In just twelve months the average age of the club membership dropped from 54 to 47. The Kiwanis Club of Maui began its 40th year which gave impetus to compose the club's history from 1947 -1987. George Mitcham, the club president that year was recognized as the Outstanding President for Division 22. Tom Fitzgerald was Division 22 Lt. Governor. With Brian Klaschka as project chairman the club constructed three school "bus stop shelters" at Waiehu, Waihee and Makawao to keep the school children "high and dry" during rainy periods and provide a safe haven to wait for the bus each morning. Maui club members also renovated Maunaolu Youth Shelter. The Stanley Arakawa Memorial Scholarship was established and presented to the outstanding Maui High School Key Clubber & Keywanette.
1988 - Ted Ion lead the club to another successful year. Les Arakaki was Kiwanian of the Year. The Little League pancake Breakfast and Intermediate Track Meet were major on-going projects.
1989 - The Blood Bank continued to be set up by our club. Approximately 225 children attended the Kiwanis Christmas Party, and Kiwanians as in years past rang the Salvation Army bell and raised funds for the needy. Members officiated the annual Carol Kai Bed Race to benefit the Imua Rebabilitation Program. A variety of projects were coordinated with the Boy Scouts including staging a benefit college baseball game, and we assisted the Scouts in collecting 11,000 cans of food for the needy. Numerous projects were conducted to help the homeless. A collection was made to help move an abused family to California. Vince G. Bagoyo, Jr. was club president.
1990 - President Brian Klaschka was awarded the Outstanding President’s Award for Division 22. George Mitcham chaired the first Annual Kiwanis Golf Classic which was a good fund raiser for the club. One half of the monies raised was used to fund scholarships for deserving Maui Key Club and Keywanettes. Unexpectedly, Mitcham had major surgery one week before the tournament, and all the club members pitched in and made the golf tournament a great success. It was a true "club" project with all the members getting involved.
1991 - Hawaii’s economy was feeling the negative effects of the Gulf War. In retrospect this was the beginning of a long recession for the State. Tourism actually decreased and real estate prices began to fall. Club President Eric Murray was instrumental in leading the club into a variety of community projects with the Boy Scouts and Key Club. Kiwanian of the Year was Brian Kakihara.
1992 - President Les Arakaki presided over an eventful year. It was decided not to continue handling the Maui County Fair ticket sales which had been a club project for over 25 years. The increase in fair attendance and limited club manpower made this project impractical. Another major project was dropped in 1992.......The Kiwanis Club of Maui had been associated with the Little League program on Maui since 1952. Controversy surrounded the termination of our club’s involvement with the Little League program. It was a sad moment for the club and its members who had literally expended thousands of man hours and dollars on the Little League program over the past forty years. The Kiwanis pancake breakfast that had helped fund the project was discontinued.
The year ended on an up-beat note, however. The club celebrated its 45th Anniversary at Diamond Resorts. Doc Burden and Iron Maehara were honored as the last charter members active in Kiwanis. Kiwanian of the Year was Pat Saka.
1993 - The year began with the installation of President Brian Kakihara at the beautiful Diamond Resort at Wailea. The highlight of the banquet was the recognition of Iron Maehara and Al Burden for their over 40 years of service to the community as Kiwanians.
The Little League controversy carried over into to this year. After numerous meetings the league’s money issues were resolved, and two youth baseball programs resulted...Little League and the new Bronco League providing more opportunities for children to play baseball. Unfortunately, the club did suffer the resignation of longtime member Tata Fujimoto as a result of the controversy.
The annual Intermediate Track Meet continued to be a success with over 900 children competing. Poor weather hurt the steak and rice fund raiser at the Jaycee carnival, but this was offset with a successful Kiwanis Golf Tournament.
1994 - Through David Wehr’s leadership the club completed numerous community service projects including two new projects - Alzheimer Walk and Child Safety. The weekly guest speakers were varied and interesting with eleven local, state or national office seekers highlighting the weekly meetings. Three members were recognized for their long term service with the club: Bill Haines (40 years); Cliff "Mac" McCall (40 years), and Alvin Nishihara (23 years).
1995 - This was a year focused on building attendance at weekly club meetings. Under the leadership of President Pat Saka meetings became fun and interactive. New traditions were born: The Secret Greeter, Kiwanis Trivia and Seating Game. A major area of focus was strengthening the Club’s relationship with its sponsored youth organizations, Maui High School Key and Kiwins clubs.
The club helped with the Boy Scouts of America, Maui Bronco League and Kaunoa Senior Center in addition to the usual projects. The club’s biggest undertaking was the infamous "442nd Veteran’s Club Chicken Cooking Project" which involved most of our club members plus Key clubbers and Kiwins from Maui High.
Ichiro "Iron" Maehara was honored as 1995 Kiwanian of the Year.
1996 - The recession in Hawaii that had begun in 1991 continued. Tourism growth was flat, and for the first time since statehood more people were moving out of the State than were moving in. The State government that only four years before had a revenue surplus was now "in the hole" and cutting programs to meet decreasing tax revenues.
Under Scott Sakakihara’s leadership as president the club recognized longtime member Rev. Clarence Kamai with the Human and Spiritual Values award for his lifelong contribution to Kiwanis and to the community through his ministry. Clarence has worked for years to spread the word and love of God through his prison ministry, and the joint churches Easter Sunrise services which are held annually at the War Memorial Stadium.
Charter member Ichiro "Iron" Maehara was recognized for his outstanding contribution to Kiwanis and his lifelong involvement in baseball on Maui. Maehara was instrumental in forming the first organized baseball league for Maui’s youth. Thanks to Iron the club began sponsoring Little League baseball in 1952. In further recognition of Iron’s achievements the Maui County Council adopted the Club’s petition to rename the War Memorial Baseball Stadium to the Ichiro "Iron" Maehara Baseball Stadium.
1997 - Robert Fujinaka was our president this year, and meeting attendance has been a major goal. Weekly attendance has risen significantly this year inspite of the club having to relocate its meetings from the Maui Palms Hotel to Maui Arts & Cultural Center. There was a one month period when the club was meeting at first one place and then another until the membership decided on Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The club currently has six active female members and plans to recruit more........ "The times they are changing...and it’s about time!".
1997 - 1998 - The President of the club for 1997-1998 was Milton Arakawa. Club members were busy during the year participating in new activities such as providing manpower for the inaugural Hula Bowl Maui and manning a stew and rice booth at the Maui County Fair. Under the leadership of Bob Pellettieri, there were several new wrinkles set up for the annual Kiwanis Club of Maui / Maui County Intermediate School Track & Field Meet. Alaka`i Paleka and Kealii Johnson, disc jockeys for local radio station KPOA-FM, added interest and excitement as the public address announcers. The first three finishers of all the events were recognized on the award stand by three current record holders who presented the medals to the winners. One of the record holders, Yoshito Inamasu, set the current long jump record in 1937 while he was attending Spreckelsville School. The club also voted to participate in the Terrific Kids and B.U.G. (Bring Up Grades) programs with Kahului Elementary School. These programs, designed by Kiwanis International, give positive recognition to students for good behavior and improvement in their grades.
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