The Waikoloa Foundation Names Advisory Board Members
Experienced leaders and cultural experts advance The Foundation’s mission
Today, The Waikoloa Foundation announced the members of its advisory board. Inclusive of Hawaiʻi Island community members and leaders, the advisory board members will contribute leadership, ideas and perspectives relevant to The Foundation’s mission. Board members will serve The Foundation’s mission for a two-year term.
Relaunched in 2020 with renewed purpose and fresh programmatic priorities, The Foundation continues to focus its work on stewardship of the environmental, historical and cultural features at Waikoloa and the community The Foundation was founded to serve. Already, The Foundation has worked alongside organizations helping to strengthen the community and provide critical educational opportunities, including Keiki Heroes and the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. Planning is also underway to convert the historic Parker Ranch recreation building into a Waikoloa community cultural resource center, providing a new home for programming, education and historic preservation.
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“I am tremendously grateful for the service of our board members and the guidance and insights they will bring to the execution of The Foundation’s mission,” said Cary Boeddeker, board chair for the Waikoloa Foundation. “It was critically important to my family that each board member had a special connection to Waikoloa, as they will be integral to our efforts to serve the community.”
The Waikoloa Foundation’s advisory board members include:
Nani Lim Yap
Yap joins the advisory board as an award-winning hula instructor of Hālau Manaola and a renowned entertainer, hula dancer and teacher. Through music and hula, Yap shares her family’s legacy and her aloha with the world. Yap’s career spans over four decades, and for many years she’s served on the advisory board of the Moku O Keawe Foundation.
Margo Harumi-Mau Bunnell
Bunnell joins the advisory board with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. A Hawaiʻi Island resident, she previously worked for the Mauna Kea Resort, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Bureau, the Waikoloa Land Company and Roberts Hawaiʻi. She remains highly involved in the community, volunteering on the committee for the Waimea Heritage Cherry Blossom Festival, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food and Wine Festival, Asian Fest at the Waikoloa Beach Resort and the Waikoloa Great ʻUkulele Festival. She has also served on the board of the Moku O Keawe Foundation, Hawaii Island Food Basket, KONISHIKI Kids Foundation and M.Y.T.H. Youth Foundation.
Ed Teixeira
A Waimea resident, Teixeira has vast government experience, including 42 years of service in various leadership positions. Teixeira is a private consultant specializing in emergency preparedness planning and training. Since 1999, he has been a proud member of the Waikoloa Canoe Club, serving as the head coach from 2017 through 2020.
David A. Honma
Honma is the senior vice president and Hawaiʻi region manager at First Hawaiian Bank. Born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, Honma maintains an active role in the community, currently holding board positions with the Hawaiʻi Island Economic Development Board, Family Business Center of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Leeward Planning Conference. Waikoloa holds a special place in his heart as he held his wedding on the grounds of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach.
Kanani Aton
Senior design specialist in Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE), Aton specializes in designing and executing professional development retreats and workshops rooted in HCBE. Her work benefits teachers, administrators, counselors and the private business community. Aton resides in the uplands of Hilo in Kaumana City.
Scott Dodd
Co-founder of Lava Lava Beach Club and a 29-year resident of Hawaiʻi Island, Dodd has a deep respect for the significance of Waikoloa. He is passionate about educating visitors on the importance of preserving the area.
Rob Pacheco
Pacheco is the Founder and CEO of Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail and Kohala Zipline. With extensive leadership experience dealing with Hawaiʻi’s conservation challenges, land use issues and the tourism industry, Pacheco has spent three decades sharing his passion for nature with the community. He has a keen interest and appreciation for the abundant natural and cultural resources of Waikoloa.
Judith “Judi” Jennet
Jennet is the President and CEO of the locally owned and operated Ocean Sports. She is deeply committed to sharing her love for the ocean and Hawaiʻi with residents and visitors alike. Jennet previously served on the board of directors for the American Red Cross Hawaiʻi State Chapter.
The Waikoloa Foundation
Founded by Waikoloa developer Ron Boeddeker in 1987, The Waikoloa Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to steward the precious cultural and environmental attributes that make Hawai‘i unique. The Foundation’s primary focus includes protecting and restoring historical and cultural sites, preserving Waikoloa’s natural resources, empowering Hawaiʻi’s future generations, leaders and change-makers through education and community initiatives, leading responsible tourism efforts on the Kohala Coast and encouraging sustainable development to protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystem.