Lions鈥� district convention returns to Hilo after eight years
The 90th Annual 91直播 Lions District 50 Convention is today through Saturday at the Hilo 91直播an Hotel.
Hosted by District Governor Lion Sean Benito of the Hilo Crescent City Lions Club, the convention brings together members from across the state to celebrate a legacy of service, leadership and community impact.
This year’s theme, ‘Ohana of Service Heroes, reflects the strong sense of family and shared purpose among Lions statewide.
According to Bonito, a 54-year-old Keaukaha native and a customer service team leader for KTA Super Stores, about 225 to 250 of the 1,500 Lions members statewide are expected to take part in the convention — where service to the community will be front and center.
A featured effort of this year’s convention is a diaper drive on Friday afternoon, led by the Hilo Crescent City Lions Club in partnership with the 91直播 Diaper Bank and Waiakea Kokua Initiative.
“People can just come up to the lobby and drop off their donation, between 2 and 3 p.m.,” Benito said.
The goal is 5,000 diapers to support 100 keiki.
Lions are also a part of the disaster relief effort following the Kona low storms that wreaked havoc statewide, said Bonito. He added that the Lions Club International Foundation and the 91直播 Lions Foundation donated $15,000 each in emergency grants to help the harder-hit locations.
“We’re shipping a container to Molokai … and we’re also going to distribute some of our funds on Oahu, as well,” Bonito said. He added the container to the Friendly Isle has “things to clean up and rebuild — like gloves, shovels, plywood, drywall, things like that.”
In addition, the convention will have a keynote address by Brian Sheehan of Bird Island, Minn., a past president of Lions Clubs International, who’s attending with his wife, Lori.
Bonito, an Eagle Scout fluent in Japanese who graduated from Waiakea High School, said he enjoys being of service to the community.
“We have a legacy project at Lili‘uokalani Gardens that local Hilo Lions do every quarter,” he said. “Whatever the community needs, we are there to help — and we are all volunteers.
“I was poor while I was growing up. I didn’t know where our next dinner was coming from. And that’s why I joined the Lions, because we help people.”
According to Bonito, today’s agenda includes a quarterly cabinet meeting, a flag ceremony and a golf tournament at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
“Friday and Saturday are our main sessions, and we vote for new leaders — a new district governor — and we also vote for new policies and amendments,” he said.
Bonito said the district governor hosts the convention, and the last time it was in Hilo was in 2018. He added that his successor as district governor will be Hilo optometrist Cedric Mitsui of Big Island Vision Center, so next year’s convention also will be in Hilo.
There will be a “Fun Night” fundraiser by the Leos, a Lions-affiliated youth organization for ages 12-18.
“I have passion for mentoring the younger generation,” Bonito said. “We provide leadership experience opportunities for the Leos. We’re going to have a conference for Leos at Kilauea Military Camp at the end of May, as well. As well as adults, we’ll have Leos club members from throughout the state of 91直播.
“It’s important, it’s necessary, that we mentor the younger generation to continue leadership for taking care of our communities.”
The convention also features recognition and awards ceremonies honoring outstanding service by Lions statewide. The festivities will conclude with the District Governor’s Gala — a night of celebration, unity and pride, reflecting on shared achievements and looking forward to the year ahead.
“We are the largest service organization in the world. We have 1.4 million members,” Bonito said. “Our goal is to increase our membership, to get everybody together from across the state, our Lions club members, to motivate one another and increase our visibility in our community so we can further support them.”
For more information or to learn how to become a Lion, visit 91直播Lions.org.
Email John Burnett at john.burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
