Pan Pacific Lions Club Birth: May, Organizer: Alexander Hume Ford Strongly desired to form an interracial service club. Approximately 100 men were invited to the first meeting in downtown Honolulu.

Obstacle Lions International’s constitution stated that only “white males” were eligible for membership. Solution The Lions Association needed to redefine its membership requirements at its annual convention.

Lobbying to be done Two months were spent lobbying for the striking out of “white males” from the constitution. Kurokawa visited 21 clubs from San Diego up to Vancouver Canada. Lobbyist: Colbert Kurokawa

Success On July 24, 1926, over 10,000 delegates voted to redefine membership requirements. Not one dissenting vote was cast. The Pan-Pacific Lions Club of Honolulu received its charter on October 11, It was assigned to District 4, California and Nevada Clubs.

Growth May 21, 1932: Hilo Lions Club was chartered. December 1933: Pan-Pacific Lions Club becomes the Lions Club of Honolulu. October 13, 1934: Kona Lions Club and Hamakua Lions Clubs were chartered. February 22, 1936: Maui Lions Club chartered. October 1, 1936: Hawaii designated as District 50. November 22, 1937 Lanai City Lions Club chartered March 22, 1937: First District 50 Convention January 14, 1938 West Kauai Lions Club chartered. March 15, 1939 Molokai Lions Club chartered

District 50 Hawaii was given the status of being its own District. Nolle R. Smith was the 1 st 1 st elected District Governor of District 50 at it’s first convention in March Nolle R. Smith

Helen Keller visits Hawaii This visit along with the lobbying of Lions, spurred the movement of the territorial government to help the visually impaired. April 6, 1937

Keller Impacts Hawaii October 25, 1980 Incorporation of Hawaii Lions Eye Vision Van Blessed at Cabinet Meeting in August 2004 August 7, 2005 Hawaii Lions Vision Van Unveiled

Hawaii Lions Foundation Lions-Quest Hawaii International Youth Camp District 50 Major Activities

Hawaii Lions Foundation Activities Committees Hawaii Lions Eye Bank and Makana Foundation Amblyopia Screening Lions Eye Health Program Schools Un-insured - Under-insured Funding Diabetes Awareness Hearing Conservation Used Eye Glasses Plaques and Onishi pins Sight is Beautiful Poster Contest Scholarships Vision Van Lions Quest-Drug Awareness

Drug Abuse Prevention Lions-Quest 1971 then District Governor Paul Fernandez appointed Kayo R. Chung Today More than 500 teachers have been trained to utilize Lions-Quest in their classroom Hawaii Department of Education adopts Lions- Quest as its intermediate and high schools drug education program.

Hawaii International Youth Camp Organized in 1982 To promote friendship, love and understanding among youths throughout the world and to contribute toward peace. Camp Director: Dr. Dick Beamer

Major Contributions to Lions Clubs International 1926: The deletion of “white male” from the constitution 1974: Lions Pledge composed by Tom Shields Henry A. Nye Oren E. Long Val U. Marciel Shizuo Onishi Paul Fernandez Kiyoshi Hiramatsu Herbert Watanabe Melvin Nakamura

District 50 Today District 50 Encompasses the entire State of Hawaii. There are 8 regions in the district. The regions are comprised of 1 or 2 zones

Lions Pledge I pledge allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world. I believe in the principles of Lionism as contained in the Lions Code of Ethics. I am proud to be a Lion, dedicated to the service of others.