President’s Message

Aloha Kams' Society Members, 

Happy Summer. I hope that you are well and looking forward to enjoying what summer has to offer – whether it be enjoying the outdoors or traveling with family and friends, please remember to keep safe. Lynette, Lisa, Jocelyne, and I attended many of our fellow Society banquets in the months of February, March, and May. It was nice to enjoy fellowship with other Society leaders, sharing ideas for activities they have for their members, and learning of the challenges they face as a Society and how they are overcoming them. I hope you were able to join us at the Chinatown Parade and Spring banquet. It was a lot of fun and everyone had a good time. In August we will be joining with the United Chinese Society as they host a picnic for all Societies. This is a great time to enjoy the sun, have a great lunch, play a few picnic games, and win a door prize. We will set up our own tent for members to sit under, so if you like a picnic, please sign up. In September we will visit the Palolo Chinese Home and play bingo with the residents there. It is so gratifying to see the Seniors eyes light up as they call “BINGO”. Finally, we conclude the year with our Christmas Party at 3660 on the Rise. I will be sending out periodic emails of events that other Societies are having that members may attend. Also, please check out our website, Kams’ Society Hawaii for additional information. Stay tuned. Thank you to all the officers, members, family, and friends who have helped with our events. Your willingness to serve and volunteer is much appreciated by Lynette, Lisa, Jocelyne, and myself. And remember, if you know of anyone who meets the requirements to be a member of the Kams’ Society, ask them to join. Please email our Membership Chair, Jocelyne Chun for an application. 

Until the next time,

Wendy Mow

President

Welfare

It is with great sadness to report the recent loss of 2 members.

Janie Gum, wife of past President Hing Gum, passed away on March 1, 2024. She is survived by her 4 children Edsel H. Gum (Pranee), Edgar H. Gum (Kahaunani), Elden H. Gum, Corinne F.M. Gum as well as 5 grandchildren (Imaikalani, Kamalei, Jessica, Laakea, Joey) and 2 great grandchildren (Arvo, Aina).

Dr. Ralph T. Kam unexpectedly passed away on March 25, 2024. He was President of the Kams’ Society from 2006-2007. Ralph is survived by his wife Kathy Kam, 2 children Emalani and Joshua (Vanessa), mother Tylene Dunbar and sister Kathleen Sposato and family.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to their respective families.

Hospitalization – During the month of May, Valerie Chong fell in her home and subsequently was hospitalized for four days. A get well card and monetary gift was sent to her home.

If anyone has information on a member who was hospitalized or passed away, please let me know, so I can send a card to them on behalf of the Society.

Lynette Kam

1st Vice President                    

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                                                                          Events

Chinatown Parade Recap (Lynette Kam): Prep Day: On Friday, February 2, 2024, 13 members worked to decorate the float for the parade. The donated flowers and greenery made the float come to life. Thank you to those who came out to help. Big Mahalos to Georgette and Joaquin Silva for providing the truck; Westley Mow for painting the Year of the Dragon banner; and Jocelyne Chun for sewing our new “skirt” for the float.

Parade Day: It was a perfect day for a parade – 50 people signed up to participate, 40 people attended, with 30 members walking and 10 float riders. Kams’ Society was again one of the few organizations who had a float in the parade and there were many positive comments from the audience. The float also allowed our senior members who have difficulty walking an opportunity to join in the festivities. Following the parade, 39 members dined at the See Dai Doo Society Hall. Dinner was again arranged by President Wendy Mow. It was nice to see the young children enjoying the festivities and getting to know each other.  (see pictures in the Events Tab)

Kams’ Society Spring Banquet Recap: On May 11, 2024, the Kams’ Society held their 95th Spring Banquet at the Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant. Thank you to Jay Kam of Vintage Wine Cellar for generously donating bottles of wine. Thank you to Wendy Mow for making the favors, lucky number tickets, and for the door prize donation. Thank you to Creighton Mow and Colin Leong for helping at the refreshment table; Colleen and Marvin Lee for helping at the reception table; Lynette Kam for getting the banner; Skylar Vuong and Kasen Kau for passing out the door prizes, Leonard Kam as the master of ceremonies; and Lori Kam for helping with the reservations.

Upcoming

Kams’

                                 Upcoming Events

Picnic – Sunday, August 11, 2024: We will be joining the United Chinese Society at their annual picnic on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Please see the enclosed form for more information and to sign up. Deadline to sign up is July 15, 2024.

Palolo Chinese Home Visitation – Saturday, September 7, 2024: We will be playing bingo with the residents at Palolo Chinese Home on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:00am. Please let Lisa Kam know if you are planning on attending by August 1, 2024. We are also looking for donations of stuffed animals for bingo prizes. Please bring any donations that day.

Christmas Party – Sunday, December 1, 2024: Our annual Christmas party will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 3660 on the Rise. Please see the enclosed form for more information and to sign up. Deadline is November 1, 2024.

Lisa Kam, 2nd Vice President

Lisa Kam

2nd Vice President

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Membership & Scholarship

If anyone needs a membership application or has any updates regarding a change in name, email, mailing address, or phone number, please let me know. E-mail me at chunbunch@gmail.com for any membership updates and membership applications. The 2024 – 2025 Scholarship applications are still available. Please email me for an application. Deadline is June 15, 2024.

Jocelyne Chun

 3rd Vice President