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Waimea Community Association News

Waimea Town Meeting To Help Celebrate Makali’i’s 30 Years – All Invited!

Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 5:30-7PM

In-Person @ Keck Observatory Conference Room & Streamed 'Live'

“We believe the voyaging canoe to be a symbol of our indigenous excellence, hope and possibilities of the positive outcomes reached when we pool our strengths together.” 

– Na Kalai Wa’a


“In the thirty years of Nā Kālai Waʻa’s existence, we have experienced and been supported through the evolutions of learning and growth by the communities of Hawai’i (including of course, Waimea). Nā Kalai Wa'a as a non-profit organization was able to CELEBRATE this 30 year accomplishment because of the moku (land base), our communities who love our canoes and work side by side with us to ensure their life force remains strong. You filled our sails, our bellies, our hulls, and our spirits, inspiring us to always strive to be our best possible.” 

– Pomai Bertelmann, 2023

With great respect and gratitude, WCA invites the community to this Thursday’s Waimea Town Meeting to listen and learn from PWO Navigator Chadd Paishon and his multi-generational lahui about the Makali'i's 30-year vision and voyage and what lies ahead.  


As always, town meetings are from 5:30-7 p.m. and everyone is welcome – either in person at W.M. Keck Observatory’s Jerry Nelson Conference Room in Waimea, or virtually on WCA’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. To log in virtually, go to WCA’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation) or YouTube channel (www.WaimeaTown.org). The meeting will be recorded and available on Facebook and YouTube for later viewing. 


This week’s town meeting is one of a many events to celebrate Makali’i’s three decades, the highlight of which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 8, at Kawaihae Canoe Club. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. and all are invited – please bring a water bottle, chair and weather protection.  


WCA’s February Town Meeting will begin with a pule by Paishon, who is also Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, Waimea 2nd Ward, and include updates by Council Members James Hustace (District 9) and Heather Kimball (District 1) and Hawai’i County Police. The month’s spotlighted non-profit will be Na Kalai Wa’a, and as usual, a basket will be passed to accept donations to support the NGOs work, said WCA President Mary Beth Laychak


For more info about the meeting or community association, email WCA President Laychak at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org. Membership in WCA is not required but suggested to support the not-for-profit organization’s now 60+-year community support mission.  

Coming Events

Free NARCAN distributions:

  • Saturday, Feb. 8 - 10AM -1 PM - KTA Waimea
  • Saturday, FEb. 15 - 10AM - 1PM - KTA Waikoloa Village
  • Week Days - Tutu's House, Waimea


Hawai'i Community Foundation (HCF) scholarships include the Richard Smart Scholarship Fund, which was established by the late Richard Smart to assist Waimea students who live in the 96743 zip, will be the first in their family to attain a college education, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.7. Scholarships can be renewed for up to 5 years for students in good academic standing. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2025. The total Richard Smart Scholarship distribution annually is approximately $150,000. Please share with family, friends, co-workers. Assistance available by emailing HCF's Education Team at scholarships@hawaiicommunityfoundation.org.

Please Join & Support Waimea Community Association!

WCA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit supported by community memberships and donations. All officers and directors volunteer their time and donations are spent on numerous methods of outreach to help connect community members, businesses, elected officials, schools, clubs, government and not-for-profit agencies, services and programs. Funds also support several annual community events including our MAHALO First Responders dinner and Christmas Twilight Parade. Membership has increased to $20 annually for individuals, $30 for families or businesses. Your support is needed and most welcome! To learn more: Membership — Waimea Community Association (waimeatown.org)

2025 WCA Officers

 

 Mary Beth Laychak - President, WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com

Nancy Carr Smith - Vice President, nancy@alohakohalarealty.com

Makela Bruno, Secretary, makelabk@gmail.com

Victor Tom - Treasurer, waimeacommunitytreasurer@gmail.com


Directors

Patti Cook, cookshi@aol.com

David Greenwell, tgreenwell@hawaii.rr.com

Lani Olsen-Chong - Secretary, olsenchong@gmail.com

Riley Smith - Membership Chair, rsmith@lanihau.net

Ryan Ushijima, ryanushijima@yahoo.com

Chris Wong, chriswongee@gmail.com


Next WCA Town Meeting:



Thurs., March 6, 2025 (Hybrid) - 5:30-7PM - With Mayor Kimo Alameda and members of his Cabinet - Keck Observatory Waimea Headquarters Jerry Nelson Conference Room


For more info about the association, please email WCA President Mary Beth Laychak at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to:

www.WaimeaTown.org

www.Facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation