December 2021 Gleanings
Note from the Editor
It was a party! We honored our Torch of Light winner, James Hustace and the Waimea Community Association, and our Distinguished Service Award winner, Bob Duerr. We mingled, we ate some good food. We selected a new slate of officers. It was a great time and we’re glad those who could make it did and we missed those who couldn’t. Have something for Gleanings? Email me: nclauer@gmail.com.
BIPC's Holiday Luncheon and Torch of Light
Foster’s Kitchen Waikoloa was the scene Dec. 11 as we honored our Torch of Light winner and mingled on the lake.
BIPC honors James Hustace and the Waimea Community Association with our Torch of Light award at a festive outdoor holiday luncheon event.
Two civic groups got together for a joint luncheon that brought out some of the best ideas in community service for the Big Island community.
James Hustace, who along with the Waimea Community Association won the BIPC Torch of Light award for exemplary use of technology and sheer human effort during the Coronavirus lockdown to bring the island a series of political forums that helped identify and differentiate candidates for various political offices on the island. The effort, that led to BIPC sponsoring its own online forum featuring the two finalists for mayor, illustrated the flexibility and can-do attitude of the association.
James Hustace, I, and BIPC Vice President Michael Phillips
Here’s how Hustace explained it:
“It truly is amazing that when we stop for a moment and a take a breath, we can see all the intricate connections that brought us here today, the people that guide us, and the knowledge we gain on the way.
Upon learning of this prestigious award and the recognition we received, ‘the torch of light’, it recalled to me the motto of my alma mater. Rev. William Harkness Sampson, co-founder and first principal of Lawrence University, wrote to the school’s benefactor Amos Lawrence stating: ‘Light! More light!' were the last words of [the German writer] Goethe, to which 'veritas est lux' is the response… ‘Truth is light!’
It takes the steadfast determination of community organizations like the WCA, our partners in the press and media, and even individual citizens to bring truth and clarity to the table. We rely upon each other to carry what we cannot. Support your local journalists and your community organizations. Step forward, learn about the challenges facing your community, strike up a civil conversation, ask tough questions, prepare to be challenged, and understand that we need to work together. Mahalo to the Big Island Press Club for your leadership and for recognizing community members that seek out truth and honesty while promoting transparency and insight.”
Treasurer Bob Duerr honored with Distinguished Service Award
We sure hate to see Bob Duerr leave the board, but we realize it’s a volunteer position, not a prison sentence. For almost a decade, Duerr has been crunching the numbers, paying the bills, filing the taxes, meeting with financial advisors, collecting the dues and making monthly reports for our press club and our affiliated nonprofit association.
It’s been a pleasure having Duerr and his wife, Betsy, at BIPC events and we wish only the best for them as they settle into retirement. Mahalo, Bob, and congratulations for a job well done!
We’re hoping they won’t be strangers and we’ll continue to see them at BIPC functions.
BIPC President-elect John Burnett and Treasurer Rob Duerr
2022 Big Island Press Club Board
Please feel free to contact any board members with your suggestions, or if you wish to volunteer!
President: John Burnett, journalist, Tribune‐Herald jburnett@hawaiitribune‐herald.com
Vice President: Karin Stanton, journalist, Hawaii 24/7, stanton96740@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Michael Phillips, journalist, meteorologist, Weatherboy.com, mphillips@weatherboy.com
Secretary: Tiffany Edwards Hunt, former journalist, advisor to middle school & UH student newspapers, newswoman@mac.com
Director: Ross Wilson, PR, Current Events rossw@current‐events.com
Director: Royelen Lee Boykie, exploring opportunities to serve The Big Island Royelen@bigislandpressclub.org
Director: Patsy Iwasaki, professor, University of Hawaii‐Hilo, piwasaki@hawaii.edu
Director: Nate Gaddis, former journalist, real estate agent, nategaddis@gmail.com
Immediate Past President: Nancy Cook Lauer, journalist, West Hawaii Today, nclauer@gmail.com
