County, state lawmakers to talk priorities during next Waimea Community Association town meeting

A new Hawai‘i County Council was seated and got to work in December 2024 with a few new faces at the table, including one who represents Kohala.

Opening day of the 2025 session of the Hawai‘i Legislature is next week on Jan. 15.

Waimea Community Association invites residents of the Kohala and Hāmākua communities to come learn about the priorities of their elected local and state government officials directly from them during its next town meeting.

The meeting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Jerry Nelson Conference Room of the W.M. Keck Observatory headquarters, located at 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway, in Waimea.

State Sen. Tim Richards, who represents Senate District 4 (North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona), and state Rep. David Tarnas, who represents House District 8 (Hāwī, Hala‘ula, Waimea, Makahalau, Waiki‘i, Waikōloa, Kawaihae, Māhukona), will speak about policy issues and priorities, their committee assignments and how the community can participate in the state legislative process.

Two members of the Hawai’i County Council are presenting as well — Hāmākua Councilwoman Heather Kimball and newly elected Kohala Councilman James Hustace.

Hustace will speak in person. Kimball, chairwoman of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, will attend via Zoom from Washington, D.C., where she is participating in briefings with presidential and congressional leadership.

There will be time for questions and answers.

Community members are urged to submit questions prior to the meeting by email at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com.

Questions can also be shared in person or on chat by those watching the livestream on Waimea Community Association’s Facebook page and will be be addressed as time permits.

The spotlighted nonprofit organization for January will be Hawai‘i County 4-H Equine Council represented by Kohala educator and horsewoman Fern White.

Also participating in the meeting will be South Kohala police Capt. Roy Valera and Community Policing Officer Justin Cabanting with an update about public safety news and events.

Community members can attend in person or watch the meeting livestream on the Waimea Community Association Facebook page or YouTube channel.

A recording of the meeting also will be available on Facebook and YouTube for later viewing.

2025 Waimea Community Association leadership

Waimea Community Association recently elected new leadership for 2025.

Former vice president Mary Beth Laychak was elected president and former president Nancy Carr Smith was selected as vice president.

Other officers for the new year include newly elected secretary Makela Bruno and re-elected treasurer Victor Tom.

Board members are Patti Cook, David Greenwell, Lani Olsen-Chong, Riley Smith, Ryan Ushijima and Chris Wong.

Email Waimea Community Association President Mary Beth Laychak at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com or click here for additional information about the upcoming town meeting or the association.