Citizen of the Year

May 1, 2024

The Citizen of the Year is someone who has improved the local community, shown leadership, and demonstrated the “Elks Care, Elks Share” ethos. Additionally, here in Hawaii, our Citizen of the Year is someone who lives aloha.

Honolulu Elks Lodge 19-year member Richard “Dick” Rankin, Col., US Army (ret) was bestowed the honor of Honolulu Elks Lodge 2023-2024 Citizen of the Year.

Past Exalted Ruler Calvin Hara said, “Recognizing Colonel Rankin was not due to one reason, but multiples reasons, once you hear about Colonel Rankin since his young adulthood.” Colonel Rankin received a full football scholarship at Virginia Military Institute. He went on to serve in the Army for over 20 years, including a combat tour in Vietnam, and a teaching appointment at the US Military Academy at West Point.

Despite offers on the mainland, Rankin opted to teach economics at Honolulu’s ‘Iolani School. During his 20-year career, he won teaching awards and coached the economics team to multiple state and national championships. Upon his second retirement in 2014, Rankin co-founded the Wounded Warrior Ohana, a nonprofit
which provides enriching experiences for wounded and injured military members and their families. In 2018, the Makana program was created to assist our Wounded Warrior families with everyday needs and issues.

The Honolulu Elks Lodge has teamed up with Wounded Warrior Ohana to host various events, most recently the MG Frank Tate Memorial and Paddle. Congratulations to Colonel Rankin, the very deserving 2023-2024 Honolulu Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year.