LIHU‘E — Over a year ago, my fellow Sunday contributors were invited by then-business reporter Blake Jones to each contribute a monthly article about what we as business and community leaders are doing. The “Leadership” column was seen as an
LIHU‘E — Over a year ago, my fellow Sunday contributors were invited by then-business reporter Blake Jones to each contribute a monthly article about what we as business and community leaders are doing. The “Leadership” column was seen as an opportunity to share a message about business and community and also a chance to share different viewpoints and perspectives about Kaua‘i as we see it.
During the past year, while there were some recent changes including the departures of Jones, former County of Kaua‘i Director of Economic Development Beth Tokioka (replaced by George Costa), and former Small Business Development Center Director Dr. Diana Shaw (replaced by Dr. John Latkiwicz), and the addition of Kaua‘i Economic Development Board President/CEO Mattie Yoshioka, we also continue with contributors Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance CEO/President Diane Zachary and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho.
What I’d like to do in today’s column, as a follow-up to last week’s article on volunteerism and the Board of Directors, is to share information about four of the organizations, including their mission, and, some of the activities each organization is involved in.
Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance provides a forum to the community on issues that matter most to Kaua‘i. The organization serves as a neutral convener and facilitator, working with action teams and committees to develop and implement solutions to Kaua‘i’s priority issues.
KPAA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, offering community groups, nonprofits, government and businesses, opportunities to work collaboratively. The organization’s work is guided by the community’s vision included in the Kaua‘i General Plan 2000.
Currently, KPAA goals focus on park improvements, growth management tools, planning for Kaua‘i’s sustainability, and community indicators. New projects will be added soon, with a focus on affordable housing, traffic mitigation and transportation alternatives. Visit KPAA’s Web site at www.kauainetwork.org.
The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit organization charged with marketing the island of Kaua‘i. The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau’s vision is to be an innovative marketing organization providing leadership that contributes to the well-being of the island’s community. The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau promotes tourism through effective partnerships with community, government and business. KVB encourages and supports a healthy environment and welcomes visitors with Aloha, integrity and respect. The non-profits core values include: Aloha Spirit, Culture, and Integrity. The organization receives funds from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) with two contracts through the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB): Leisure Marketing and Meetings and Conventions & Incentive Marketing. KVB can be reached at www.kauaidiscovery.com Presently, the bureau is working on promotions in partnership with various members and other organizations to encourage visitors to Kaua‘i which recently experienced a 20%+ drop. The Bureau is working on 2 campaigns to encourage California residents to visit Kaua‘i from 2 of its top markets which are San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The Kaua‘i Economic Development Board (KEDB) founded in 1984 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, member-based organization. KEDB’s members include a variety of Kaua‘i businesses, community organizations, legislators, and government officials who work in partnership for the common goal of improving the quality of life in the County of Kaua‘i from Haena to Barking Sands and the Pacific Missile Range Facility. This goal is accomplished by the following:
Developing partnerships to diversify the economy; initiating efforts to educate local youth in order to succeed in the global marketplace and nurturing key economic clusters in alignment with the County of Kaua‘i’s Economic Development Plan which include: Food & Agriculture, Health & Wellness, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Culture, High Technology and Renewable Energy.
By focusing on these efforts, KEDB comprehensively addresses the island’s economic issues from assisting businesses with creating new jobs on Kaua‘i to facilitating Kaua‘i job and career opportunities for local students, to promoting affordable housing, and more.
A new comer to the Sunday column is the addition of Mason Chock, Executive Director of Leadership Kaua‘i. Leadership Kaua‘i’s goal is the following:
To develop leaders with awareness of and sensitivity to Kaua‘i’s culture and people; educate leaders who will succeed in our unique environment and within our global economy; motivate leaders to effectively address community needs and improve our quality of life; and establish and expand the ranks of Kaua‘i’s leaders.
Learn more about Leadership Kaua‘i and about Leadership as a topic in future Sunday columns beginning in May on alternating months as Executive Director Chock and I will be submitting articles on alternating months. In the meantime, visit www.leadershipKauai.org to learn about the upcoming recruitment for the 2009 and 2010 Adult and Youth Leadership Programs commencing in August.
• Randy Francisco is president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at randall@kauaichamber.org
