Exchange Club of Downtown Honolulu

 

Luncheons are held on the first three Thursdays of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Oahu Country Club. Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory, to promote fellowship.  A short list of recent speakers and topics follows.

Luncheons and Speakers      

· Gene Evans, Managing Director of Hawaii Public Radio, updated the Club on the happenings of Hawaii Public Radio.

 

· Barry Fukunaga, Director of the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, provided the latest information about the Hawaii Superferry and fielded questions about activities under DOT’s purview.

 

· Colin Chock of Salle Honolulu demonstrated the art of fencing for both recreation and exercise. Our own Jack "The Sword" Schneider tried it out... and he handled it quite successfully.

· John Heckathorn, editor of HAWAII Magazine; restaurant critic for HONOLULU Magazine; Star Bulletin columnist, author of "What the Heck?"; and host of the radio show, "Heckathorn's Hot Plate", which airs on ESPN 1420, gave us an update on the newest restaurants in our fair city.

· Michael Broderick, a Hawaii Family Court judge, described the challenges in dealing with children before that court and what the Club might be able to do to help.

 

· Paul Kosasa, President and CEO of ABC Stores, shared business management principles and family experiences that contributed to the success of the company and its 73 stores.

· Paul Koehler of Monsanto Corporation summarized the seed propagation process, its place in Hawaii, and a little about the biotechnology behind it all.

· The Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor of Honolulu, explained his position on wastewater treatment requirements for Honolulu and the issues with the U.S. EPA, rail transit, vacation rentals, and of course taxes.

· Bobby Curan, Midweek sports columnist and the radio voice of U.H. sports, spoke about U.H. basketball and the upcoming U.H. football program.

· Dr. Robert Robinson, Professor of Entrepreneurship and E-business at the University of Hawaii and founder of U.H. Angels, explained what U.H. Angels is and investing in technology star-ups.

· Jaime Ushiroda of Project Visitation provided a program update and received the $10,000 Weinberg check made possible through the Club.

· Jim Becker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist who used to pal around with Marilyn Monroe, shared stories of his fascinating life, most of which are in his best selling novel, "Saints, Sinners and Shortstops."

· Dennis McKnight, Special Teams Coach for the U.H. football program, shared his thoughts about coaching, leadership, and managing life across the Pacific Ocean.

· Jeff Portnoy, President of the Hawaii Bar Association, media attorney, and radio color commentator for UH basketball games, highlighted media legal issues as well as some UH basketball news.

 

Members at a luncheon

Socializing with Paul Kosasa, President and CEO of ABC Stores

 

For a list of upcoming speakers, please send a request to our club president.

Colin Chock and Jack “The Sword” Schneider