KILAUEA — The board of directors at Anaina Hou Community Park announced the hiring of Jill Lowry as the new executive director.
In this role, Lowry oversees all aspects of Anaina Hou Community Park, a nonprofit on the North Shore, including guest service, operations, programs and events and fundraising, while monitoring business performance to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
“With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, we’re excited Jill has joined the Anaina Hou ohana,” said Julie Schuller, chair of the board of directors. “Her experience and strong, collaborative leadership style will be essential to Anaina Hou’s progress.”
Lowry’s hiring comes at a pivotal transition for Anaina Hou as it implements a strategic expansion plan.
Anaina Hou is most popularly known for its unique mini-golf course within a Hawaiian botanical garden and community-focused services that include a playground, skate park and a weekly farmers’ market.
“Anaina Hou is a unique organization whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents on Kauai, especially on the North Shore. A combination of community programs and high-quality entertainment results in something for everyone,” Lowry said.
In the last year, the organization completed one of its goals to augment revenues by opening the Porter Pavilion complex, the only one of its kind on Kauai. Anaina Hou now hosts weekly events at the pavilion, including the Ahi Lele Fire Show, movies and concerts, and rents the pavilion.
“Bill and Joan Porter gave the most precious gift to the community that they could imagine, but the time has come, as predetermined, for the organization to stand on its own two feet,” Lowry said. “I feel supremely honored to help facilitate new opportunities for the future and ensure financial sustainability.”
