This is a collection of a year's worth of events that the Kamehameha Lions Club has been a part of.

What's In That Storage Locker?

This past Sunday May 31, 2009 Kamehameha Lions Club President Teresa Bryan, hubby RC Jim Bryan, and I headed on over to check out the District 50 stuff in storage. Primarily to reallocate where things will go, and do a quick inventory.

Some of these items are treasures and have been around for decades, such as old convention books dating back to the early 70's. I haven't done enough exploring, but certainly there was a trove of historical information, plus tons of photos. Here is one set of Kahilis (photo at left), 3 pairs total that were used for some function, like in a parade. The other kahilis were made out of chicken wire, for either attaching cloth or flowers. By the way, hope you clubs out there are in check about the Aloha Week Festival Parade. All clubs should have the MAJOR EVENT marked down and plan to be there in September (unless it's your charter night going on).

In addition, I pulled a bunch of old pins. Check this one out from 1996. There were 15 other unique designs, have a look at the photo gallery. We're in the process of figuring out what to do with them. Being that they are many years old, these pins are collectible according to Lions International Trading Pin Club rules. Visit their site at http://litpc.org/

Also grabbing from the storage are the District's DVD player, Multimedia Speakers. I am the new custodian of the these devices including the LCD projector. I'll have a guide posted in a week to let the clubs know how to obtain and use these.

Lastly, there were over a hundred small banners. I'm still going through the photos and will post a follow up story in the next few days. This is good stuff from all over the world! (Story & Photos by Public Relations Chair Irwin Santos - Kamehameha).

Kamehameha Lions Welcome Jim Bryan Back Home on American Soil!

Lion James Bryan returned safely to Honolulu, Hawaii, landing at 2:00pm Saturday, May 2, 2009. Jim traveled continuously for 40 hours from Kabul, Afghanistan to Washington D.C. to Chicago and home to Honolulu.

Jim was greeted by his wife Lion Teresa and fellow Lions of The Kamehameha Lions Club. Jim has many, many tales of peril and adventure to tell, and we all look forward to hearing them and seeing the videos he took while on his mission. Welcome home Lion Jim! You deserve a few days off to recuperate and unwind. (Story & Photos by Daryl Matsuo - Kamehameha)

Kamehameha Lions Club Annual Picnic

TThe Kamehameha Lions got together April 26, 2009 for the annual picnic at Ala Moana Beach Park. About 30 club members, friends, and family were in attendance (photo at left; "Team Yellow" - Mel Tom, Jackson, Mark "G-MAN" Gardner, and me).

We scored picnic area #28A which is beachside of the park. Nice sunny day including a cool tradewind breeze. The partiers brought in potluck, including Lion Karen Pack’s Texas style brisket (from a recipe she got while in Texas a few weeks ago). I was taking multiple stabs at this.

Food is always synonymous with picnics, but let us not forget games! Lion Melodie provided us with Balloon Volleyball, Butt Squash the Balloon (I sat my fat a*s on a poor thin piece of inflated rubber, and at 300lbs, our group had the weight advantage, and won), Toothpick Javelin Throw (which I won too due to shear strength and size advantage), and lastly the Hawaiian Trivia Contest. Winners got a free dinner at our General Membership Meeting (valued at $12) and a Tail Twister pass for the month (like an immunity card from you relinquishing your bucks), (photo at right; Lion Franklin Takahashi's grandson Jackson connecting with the softball).

It was a relaxing day with good food and camaraderie. So relaxing that I wasn’t in overdrive when I was taken pictures…only a measly 149 in the photo gallery. Special note, food shots are for Region IV Chair Jim Bryan. Had to give him a taste of home while he is eating…”whatever.” Lucky us. (Story & Photos by D50 Webmaster Irwin Santos – Kamehameha)

Afghanistan Bon Voyage Party for Lion Jim & Gary

ALALALALALALALA! I couldn’t get this Middle East battle cry out of my head after our Bon Voyage party for Lions Jim Bryan and Gary Bowersox (photo at left with KHNL Weekend News Anchorwoman & fellow Kamehameha Lion Diane Ako). March 24, 2009 would make a memorable evening in my books as something that was unique. Like being in Vegas and staying at the Paris Hotel without traveling to France. Read on my friends…

The evening had an exquisite touch from the hands of Lion “Bad Lori” Yamada. She themed the dinner and room aesthetics with an Afghanistan feel, giving the rest of the club, including many invited guests a taste of what Jim & Gary will experience. Attendees were greeted by “Virgins”…yeah right…

Anyway, fine touches were laden here and there throughout the Saint Louis Alumni meeting hall, such as the house pupu featuring pistachio nuts, dried apricot and dates! Lion Mel Tom also played doorman for those that wish to enter. Holding two Punjab swords gives you that authority…and yes, they were authentic.

A nice bonus came along too when PID Mel Nakamura presented Kamehameha Lions Club FOUNDATION President Alvin Sasaki with a check for $5000! Courtesy of a grant from Lions Club International. A major push came from Past International President Kay K. Fukushima who has heard of Region IV Chair Jim Bryan's Afghan plight and greased the wheels of LCIF for funding. WOOHOO!

Time to eat, and in Afghan style, you used your fingers as utensils. Guests were asked to wipe their hands with provided towels and guided to the buffet table. Our “Virgins” (I’m chuckling as I write this), fronted the line and poured a stream of water with a hint of lemon to cleanse each diner's palms.

The feast included the following; Grilled Beef & Chicken Afghani Style, Naan Bread w/Butter, Pita Bread with Hummus, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Fresh Grapes, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, and Green Tea. All finger food and certainly a unique dining experience! I put my request in for fresh camel at the last meeting but I guess Lions Lori & Dean couldn't find any.

As we ate, the presentation of the night was from Gary Bowersox’s Award Winning documentary DVD “The Gem Hunter in Afghanistan.” Find out more on this DVD here. You can also learn further about Lion Gary by visiting his website!

We all wish Lions Jim & Gary a safe return. By the way, I taught Jim how to dodge bullets. (Story & Photos by D50 Webmaster Irwin “Superman” Santos – Kamehameha)