Zonta Club of Kaua'i
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight - August 2024
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Ronnie Grover
Zonta Club of Kauai’s August Spotlight member is Ronnie Grover who retired September 2019 as the General Manager CEO for the successful passenger tour boat company Kauai Sea Tours. Ronnie was invited to the Zonta meeting by Director Lori Barrett before becoming an active member. Ronnie has participated in various club activities: Denim Day Advocacy Proclamation, Kauai Independent Food Bank food distribution, 2023 Back to School Bash at Kukui Grove Center, and the recent YWCA Kauai Wiwo`ole Bridge Housing Project by donating household items for survivors of domestic violence. Ronnie would be intested in a future service project supporting efforts to help women and girl survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking. |
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Member Spotlight - March 2024
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Melissa Kerr
When I moved to Kauai, I was looking for organizations to join where I could contribute and make a difference in the local community. A friend had told me about Zonta and encouraged me to contact Edie, President of Zonta Club of Kauai. I did some research via the Internet and read a few articles in The Garden Newspaper on different events. She encouraged me to attend a meeting and after attending a few meetings and meeting the members, I was excited at the opportunity to join this professional women's organization and contribute to their mission to empower women on Kauai. Currently I serve on the Sunshine Committee and the Fundraising Committee. In April, I am assisting with setup, teardown, and airport transportation for the Zonta District 9, Area 1 Seminar. |
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Member Spotlight - January 2024
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Shaye Donnelly-Clarke
Shaye is the General Manager of Blue Dolphin Charters and chose Zonta Club of Kaua’i because the conversations and energy from the club members was so motivating and inspirational. Throughout her life she has engaged in many male-dominant settings: competitive surfing, public accounting, and Napali boat tours. Her passion is to advocate for gender equality and empower women to achieve anything they want. When asked about her ideal service project she stated that the Zonta International statement on climate change as a gender equality issue interested her. Girls’ education plays a key role in combating climate change. Beach cleanup projects to protect our aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of pollution and long-term climate change is impactful. She thinks this would be a fun fellowship that includes self-care outdoor exercise and empower women bonding together. |
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Member Spotlight - December 2023
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Cyndi Ayonon
My reason for joining Zonta was to get involved with a movement that I believe would empower women in making a difference in the lives of others while engaging in an active leadership role. I am The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation Treasurer and Chair of the Christmas Fund Committee. Both of these positions have fiscal responsibilities, which are my strengths. I volunteered to spearheaded the project and have been chair for the past 3 years. It’s been rewarding to experience the "Aloha Spirit" through our donor contributions and it is a joy to make a positive impact on the individual recipients. As a woman business owner my ideal service project to "Build a Better World for Women and Girls,” would be mentoring other women on fulfilling their dreams, and sharing how education and knowledge is the key to success. I would also like to promote, keeping our female youth on Kauai for a more resilient and sustainable future. |
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Member Spotlight - November 2023
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Patsy Rapozo
Patsy Rapozo is a Circuit Court Clerk at Judiciary – State of Hawaii. She joined Zonta Club of Kauai in 2018. She serves as Secretary on the Foundation Board and is a member of the Bylaws Committee. As a wife of a politician, she is hopeful that girls and women know their full-potential and realize that they can make a difference in their community by stepping forward and running for political office. It is at this level, that they will be able to make a difference in their community in a decision-making capacity. This is the podium where they can be heard and can pass legislation where the rights of women are recognized. Patsy considers MaBel Fujiuch to be her club mentor. She has known MaBel for many years, and when her children went to Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEOs) Pre-School, MaBel was always there to greet the children with so much warmth and aloha. |
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Member Spotlight -October 2023
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Laura Cristobal Andersland
Laura’s biggest impact is her love of helping the community and being a part of such a wonderful national organization. Zonta Clubs make a positive difference to so many. Her mother and sister are her mentors. They are strong, smart, generous women and both were successful business owners. Laura grew up thinking that it was normal for a woman to own a business. Learning from these two helped her run her business, Salty Wahine, efficiently and successfully. She handed down the entrepreneurial gift to her daughter, Nikki, who is also making a difference for women just like Laura. Laura has also learned a lot from her Zonta sisters. Zonta members who inspire her the most are MaBel Fujiuchi and Edie Ignacio Neumiller. Zonta Club of Kauai is SO LUCKY to have Laura as a Zonta member leading with pride as a Wahine business owner. |
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Member Spotlight -September 2023
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Darrellyn Lemke
Darrellyn is currently the Zonta Club of Foundation Chair. Insurance is her legal business with State Farm. She recently provided answers to a few Zonta questions on her membership as a Zontian. Darrellyn joined in 1995. My kumu Kuulei Punua brought her into the club. Darrellyn’s mentors along the way were - Kuulei Punua, Mary Thronas, Dimples Kano, and MaBel Fujiuchi. They were/are successful leaders in our community and their profession. Her passion is to stand out for gender equity and to support women in leadership roles in the workplace. The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation Christmas Fund has had the biggest impact on Darrellyn as a member of the club. She is proud of what the club does to give back to our community. We appreciate Darrellyn’s 28 years of dedication with Zonta Club of Kauai and the community to “Build a Better World for Women and Girls.” |
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Member Spotlight -August 2023
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Melody Lopez
Melody Lopez is a Licensed Social Worker and works at Catholic Charities Hawaii Kauai Community Office as a Program Administrator in Lihue. Her main reason for joining Zonta Club of Kauai was to resonate with Zonta's mission and enjoy the network of professional woman and get to socialize with while discussing how to address important community issues. Melody is the Advocacy Committee Chair and serves on the Scholarship Committee. She considers all Zonta sisters as mentors. Those that have in provided the most mentoring at Zonta have been Lori Benkert, Regina Carvalho, Cyndi Ayonon, Marge Akana, MaBel Fujiuchi Darrellyn Lemke and Edie Ignacio Neumiller. Powerful women taking on leadership roles and doing it so gracefully. Melody tries to watch and learn as much as possible. Thank you, Melody, for serving with Zonta and in the community. |
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Lisa R. Arin
Lisa has her own private law practice of Lisa R. Arin, Inc. She joined the Zonta Club of Kauai to belong to a service organization that specifically focuses on work that empowers and promotes equality for women and girls on Kauai, along with furthering Zonta's mission of ending violence against women and girls. She has been involved in several committees as well as held the office of Vice President and has learned so much from each of those experiences. However, the primary committee that she has been most engaged in has been the advocacy committee. This committee best fit her personality and interests. She admires all of her Zonta sisters and feels that she has gained important insights from every member. She would have to say though that Darrellyn Lemke and Sue Kanoho are the two members that have been her mentors and role models. |
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Member Spotlight July 2023
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Diana Harvey
Diana is “retired” but enjoys giving back to the community through her work as a Shelter Advocate at the YWCA Family Violence Shelter, as well as her volunteer work with Zonta Club of Kauai and Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park. You can find her most Saturday mornings working with a crew of dedicated people to ensure the beach is beautiful for our kama’āina and visitors. Her mentor, Edie, has encouraged her to grow and learn while being active in Zonta. Diana continues to hone her leadership skills by leading the club’s Budget/Finance Committee. She also learned how to maintain a website and has made improvements to the club’s website. |
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Member Spotlight - June 2023
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Allegra Gaines
Zonta Club of Kauai highlights member Allegra Gaines for June 2023. Allegra is the Managing Director at Ho'ike Kaua'i Community Television, Inc. Allegra has been engaged and participated in the Zonta committees. She assisted with website needs, graphic and poster creation and worked with the Fellowship Committee to create fellowship opportunities for Zonta members. When asked “What Leadership skills have you gained from your job and/or with your membership with Zonta Club of Kauai” she said “I have learned to VOICE my opinion more readily instead of staying hidden in the back of the room. I have also learned to LISTEN intently to staff and other Zonta members because this is the fastest way to learn from others' tremendous knowledge base and skill set. Listening helps me to be more confident in my decision making. I would say Edie has been my mentor in Zonta.” We are glad her confidence is soaring!!! |
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Member Spotlight - May 2023
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Betty Bell
Did you know that Betty Bell was Kauai’s first female pharmacist at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in 1966? As a Zonta Club of Kauai member of over 50 years, she makes sure Kauai women can forge ahead to further their careers. Betty has donated several times to The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation scholarships program for women graduating from high school and entering college. You can say she broke many glass ceilings in her humble way, has a commanding voice and is not afraid to speak up at meetings. |
(Photo: Betty Bell donates to the 2023 Christmas Fund
(CF) with Chair Cyndi Ayonon) |
Member Spotlight - April 2023
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Dimples Kano & Marge Akana Dimples and Marge have been friends since 1960. Dimples was in real estate with Lihue Plantation when Molokoa subdivision was developed and later she became office manager with Prosser Realty. Marge was licensed and worked with Dimples. Dimples became a broker and was in real estate until her retirement. Marge went on to work in insurance. Dimples became a Zontian in 1972 and Marge was asked to join in 1986. Both held various Zonta offices and worked together on the Zonta Club of Kauai Christmas Fund. Dimples remained active in Zonta and many organizations into her 90’s. When she could no longer drive Marge made sure she got to Zonta meetings and functions. Friends forever! |
Photo: Marge Akana (left); Dimples Kano (right)
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