Kaʻū Kōkua: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou
By Tim DeLozier, Wayne Kawachi, Guy & Julie Enriques, Carol Massey & Katherine Okamura
Kaʻū is very unique and special in countless ways. One of the key characteristics of Ka’ū is that it has a strong sense of community. It has a plethora of generous organizations dedicated to supporting the citizens of Kaʻū. Kaʻū News is proud to introduce a new column “Kaʻū Kōkua” that will highlight a Kaʻū-based non-profit organization or other civic/community group in each edition. The intentions are to share the history of these organizations, inform about their involvement in the various community events and services and encourage anyone with a desire to help support their efforts either financially or by volunteering their time to get involved to help keep Kaʻū, Kaʻū.
We feel it appropriate to feature first one of the largest, most well-known and well-respected organizations, ‘O Kaʻū Kākou (also known as “OKK”). OKK is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded and based in Kaʻū. OKK’s charitable goals are to promote a healthy community through education, culture, and economic opportunity.
A series of events in 2005 led to the creation of Ohana ‘O Punalu’u, an organization created to ensure that the people of Ka’ū were receiving accurate information regarding subdivision and development issues occurring near Punalu’u. Though the issue fell to the wayside, the group decided that the best strategy was to officially form a non-profit organization to help the community with other important matters. A new name, ‘O Kaʻū Kākou (which translates to English as “We Are Kaʻū”), was coined by Jeannette Howard, resulting in Articles of Incorporation being filed in July 2007, and thus the official formation and birth of ‘O Kaʻū Kākou, Inc.
The original board of directors included President Guy Enriques, Vice-President Wayne Kawachi, Secretary Elizabeth Kuluwaimaka, and Treasurer Raylene Moses. Additional founding members were Myra Sumida, Walter and Debbie Wong Yuen, Darlene Vierra, Katherine Okumura, Jeannette Howard and Dennis Elwell. This initial group of founders took on raising funds for various community groups, especially youth sports teams, by selling coconuts, shave ice and hot dogs at Punaluʻu Beach. As the organization grew, the next task was to take action for the need to fill the lack of elderly housing in Kaʻū, so they began a massive campaign to fundraise enough money to purchase a 2-acre lot in the heart of Na’alehu. Wayne Kawachi walked 100 miles in slippahs and raised $75,000. Olson Trust, Grace Foundation and Honuapo Foundation made sizeable donations. The Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run was created to raise money. Over $10,000 was made by collected cans and bottles for recycling. OKK was able to successfully purchase the Nāʻālehu lot and remove the dilapidated structures. Other priorities may grow larger than elderly housing units in the future, but until then OKK is utilizing this property for its community farmers’ market and other gatherings.
The farmers’ market began in the Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware parking lot. When it outgrew that location, OKK took it over during the Covid pandemic and moved it to their property to help meet the local needs of access to quality food and to provide employment opportunities for local farmers and craftspeople. The market has grown in recent years to include fresh produce, multiple food trucks, artisans and a variety of other vendors. The market is every Wednesday and Friday in Nāʻālehu. Since Wayne Kawachi became President, and through his great leadership, OKK has turned its mission towards working for the improvement and health of the Kaʻū Community and has made OKK the outstanding and most recognized Kaʻū non-profit community service organization.
OKK currently provides a vast scope of services to local residents. OKK volunteers assist local Kūpuna with the construction of wheelchair ramps, home maintenance and handicapped accessible facilities in their homes. OKK proudly hosts several large community events each year, including the Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, the Independence Day Parade/Family Fun Day, Veteran’s appreciation luncheon and the recently added Annual Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK also supports the Annual Kaʻū Coffee Run and provides scholarships to Kaʻū students.
OKK was critical in the construction of the makai lanai at Kaʻū Hospital and has provided medical equipment to Kaʻū Hospital. OKK has adopted 6 miles of Highway 11 and holds several “highway cleanups” each year from milemarker 54-60. OKK held a fundraising campaign that successfully resulted in the Na’alehu Bay Clinic. OKK has a 3-acre garden with greenhouse where they grow fresh produce which is donated to local food pantries and sold at the weekly farmers’ market. OKK assists each month with the Pahala Food Basket delivery and distribution.
Finally, OKK has a crew of volunteers who maintain several Ka’ū cemeteries keeping them well groomed and beautiful. The bottom line is that if you have extra time that you’d like to volunteer, there’s something that OKK does that will appeal to your liking! OKK has experienced incredible growth in less than 20 years, all via word of mouth! The current officers are President Wayne Kawachi, Vice-President Walter Wong Yuen, Treasurer June Domondon, and Secretary Elizabeth Crook.
Now that you’re more familiar with ‘O Kaʻū Kākou, please support them if you can. Donations are gratefully accepted and volunteers are always in need. Regular membership meetings in Nāʻālehu occur on the first Thursday of every month. To learn more about OKK, visit okaukakou.org or email okaukakou.org@gmail.com.
