Waimea Community Association hosting 8th ‘Mahalo, First Responders’ community dinner

They are the first ones to arrive at the scene of a traffic crash, a fire or even a water main break. They often put themselves in harm’s way — literally — 365 days a year to protect their community.

Their community is once again giving back in a big way to not just say thank you, but honor them for the important work they do.

Waimea Community Association is hosting its 8th annual Mahalo First Responders community dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kahilu Town Hall, located at 67-1182 Lindsey Road, in Waimea.

The event is free and everyone is invited to salute North Hawai‘i’s dedicated first responders.

“While many of these individuals humbly insist they are just doing a job they get paid for, these men and women deserve our gratitude more than ever in these challenging times,” said Waimea Community Association President Nancy Carr Smith, who also is coordinator of the Mahalo First Responders event.

This year’s honorees include:

• Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.
• Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works, including the Waimea road crew.
• Hawai‘i County Ocean Safety officers for West Hawai‘i.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement and Division of Forestry and Wildlife officers.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department Kohala Station 15.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department Kona Station 7.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department South Kohala Station 14.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department Waikōloa Station 16.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department Waimea Station 9.
• Hawaiian Electric Waimea linemen and linewomen.
• Hawai‘i Police Department, including the Waimea Police Station and South Kohala Community Policing Section.
• Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization.
• Pōhakuloa Training Area first responders.
• Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital staff.
• Volunteer Fire Department Anekona 9 Bravo.
• Volunteer Fire Department Kohala 14 Alpha.
• Volunteer Fire Department Kona 7 Bravo.
• Volunteer Fire Department Pa‘auilo 8 Alpha.
• Volunteer Fire Department Pu‘uanahulu 16 Bravo.
• Volunteer Fire Department Waiki‘i 9 Alpha.
• Waimea Community Emergency Response Team.

Special acknowledgements will be made to:

• Darryl Oliveira, former Hawai‘i County fire chief and Civil Defense administrator, who was asked by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen to lead the emergency response following the horrific August 2023 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina and killed 100-plus people.
• Hawai‘i County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd will be honored for his efforts to keep Hawai‘i Island safe and better prepared while also providing statewide leadership with other county fire departments in partnership with state and federal agencies and the Hawai‘i Legislature.

The late Guido Giacometti also will be saluted for his contributions to truly affordable housing and securing funding to support first responders with the Volunteer Fire Department Anekona 9 Bravo.

The gathering again will spotlight the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation as well. The foundation is led by Dr. Frank Sayre and Laura Mallery-Sayre, who for the past 17-plus years have raised funds to ensure Hawai‘i County first responders have the essential equipment and training they need.

An update will be provided on the work the foundation is doing for the Hawai‘i Fire Department and beyond.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth and Hawai‘i County Council Chairwoman Heather Kimball will join the Waimea Community Association in honoring the brave men and women who keep North Hawai‘i safe and make sure they have everything they need to do their jobs.

Other officials, including Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, will convey their appreciation with recorded messages.

Also contributing will be students from all Waimea schools, who are making personalized mahalo cards for the responders.

In keeping with the emergency preparedness theme, guests will be offered a free box of Narcan from volunteers with the Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force to ensure readiness in the event of encountering someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

The event will begin with a pule (blessing) by Kimo Ho‘opai of Mana Christian ‘Ohana followed by an ‘oli (chant) by Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter School haumana (students).

Dinner, set to music by Waimea musician Ryan Hooley, will be prepared by Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Merriman’s Big Island, Waimea Butcher Shop, FORC, The Fish and The Hog, Earl’s, Ippys Hawaiian BBQ, Dom De Luca, Oy’s Fusion, Pau Pizza, Two Ladies Kitchen, Puakō General Store, Mo Betta Farm, Pā‘ina by Ocean, Tropical Dreams Ice Cream and Waiakea Water.

A number of businesses are assisting to make the dinner possible, including Waimea Instant Printing, Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope, Goodfellow Bros., Isemoto Contracting, Jas. W. Glover, Queen Emma Land Co., Dr. Michaela Martin, Orchid People and Ainahua Florals.

The Mahalo First Responders event is in lieu of Waimea Community Association’s monthly first Thursday town meeting for November.

For more information about the dinner or questions about the association, email waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com or call Carr Smith at 808-896-2239.