Public policy leadership changes within the State Legislature and Hawai’i County Council will be in the spotlight at Waimea Community Association’s Thurs., Jan. 9, 2025 Town Meeting in the Jerry Nelson Conference Room of the W.M. Keck Observatory Waimea headquarters at 65-1120 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela.  

As always, the entire community is invited to participate in the town meeting either in person or virtually from 5:30-7p.m. The in-person meeting will be streamed “live” for virtual viewing via WCA’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WaimeaCommunityAssociation) and YouTube channel (www.WaimeaTown.org). The meeting will be recorded and available on Facebook and YouTube for later viewing. 

Guest presenters will include State Sen. Tim Richards and State Rep. David Tarnas who will speak about policy issues and priorities, important leadership changes including committee assignments, and how the community can participate in the Legislative process. 

Also presenting will be Council Member Heather Kimball of District 1, and newly elected Council Member James Hustace of District 9. Council Member Hustace will be presenting in person and Council Member Kimball will be “zooming” in from Washington, D.C. where – as the elected Chair of the Hawai’i State Association of Counties – she will be participating in briefings with Presidential and Congressional leadership.  

There will be time for questions and answers and the community is urged to submit questions prior to the meeting by emailing: WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com. Questions may also be shared in person during the meeting or typed into FB chat to be addressed as time permits. 

The spotlighted not-for-profit organization for January will be Hawai’i County 4H 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 on public safety news and events.  Sharing the pule to start the meeting will be Pastor SIoni Tilini with New Hope Christian Fellowship.