COM 0954.000 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

H�O'OMALU KA'U BOARD OF DIRECTORS — 2017 Biographies Wendy Vance, President P.O. Box 785, Na'alehu, HI 96772 Phone: 8o8 -937-45o6 Email: kkhandr)@jgD,Q&(�L A 40 -year resident of Hawai'i, former Ho I omalu Ka,'u Secretary/Treasurer and founder Wendy Vance (originally from New York) is the retired assistant manager of the Kona Historical Society's Kona Coffee Living History Farm, a nonprofit located along the Kona Coast showcasing the history, artifacts, and workings of a ioo+-year-old Japanese coffee farm. She is also a highly -experienced retreat organizer and managed Lotus Gate Sanctuary, a Buddhist retreat center in Ka'u. She has served on the boards of several non -profits, was a "founding mother" of Ka 'Ohana 0 Honu'apo, chaired the Hula and the Arts Cultural Festival for seven years, and has been a Hawaiian language and hula student for more than 25 years. She was the Ka'u representative for the HTA/CPEP Kala Committee for 3 years and was the Ka'u contact for the 2% Fund ballot initiative (now PONC), collecting signatures and organizing community meetings. She also researched and wrote the Ho'omalu Ka'u publication "Native Plants of the Ka'u Dryland Forest." She now works as an Interpretive Ranger for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in Ka'u's Kahuku Unit. She and her husband, David, built their own home on ii acres in Ka'u in 2011. Charmaine Keanu, Vice President P.O. Box 142, Na'alehu, HI 96772 Phone: 8o8-430-9598 Email: ctuap Born in Pahala and raised in Waiohinu, Charmaine has lived in Ka'u her entire life. For over 30 years, Charmaine worked at Naalehu Elementary School where she held many different positions including counseling "at -risk" students, administering disciplinary actions and tutoring through the After -School Plus (A +) Program. After her recent retirement, Charmaine reflected upon the highlights of her career specifically her role as a mentor for the youth of Ka'u. She has always stressed the importance of education and staying in school. Today, Charmaine is proud to see many of these former students who are now active with their careers, families and communities. Many thank her for the guidance, patience and compassion which she shared at Naalehu Elementary. Charmaine has four adult children, eleven grandchildren and two great - grand children. She enjoys caring for her molopuna, reading the bible, attending church services, crochet and studying genealogy. As a strong supporter of the Ka'u community, Charmaine hopes to perpetuate the unique Ka'u lifestyle and Hawaiian traditions of our kupuna which include love of family, preservation of resources for future generations, and honoring our heritage.