Active and Long Retirement

One of the noteworthy features of the plantation communities of the Hakalau Kuleana was the active collaboration among its members to create a better social, economic and nurturing environment for everybody. Throughout his life, Waichi Ouye participated and often lead these efforts. Examples include: Editor of the Voice of Hakalau,  Hakalau PTA , Hakalau Recreational Council, Volunteer Fire Squad, Hakalau-Wailea Water Project, Hakalau-Wailea Kumiai, Mochi Pounding...and many more.

In 1977, at age 63, Waichi Ouye retired after 44+ years of continuous service in the sugar industry. His retirement lasted 38 years filled with learning new things and supporting his community. 
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​Retirement offered more time and opportunity to serve the community. 

1979

Waichi continued his leadership activities with the Hilo Farm Bureau and served as the Chair of the Hawaii County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee (1979). His career prepared him well for these positions.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, April 12, 1979, accessed via Newspapers.com

Hawaii Tribune Herald, February 23, 1983, accessed via Newspapers.com.

​He took up beekeeping, photography, and was very interested in learning the computer. ​

Waichi was active with the Big Island Beekeepers' Association for many years. Its role consistent with his lifelong commitment to agriculture. 

Hawaii Tribune Herald, November 30, 1986, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2002 Leaders of the Big Island Beekeepers' Association, from Left to Right: Ted Jordan, Newsletter Editor; Don Tinker, Treasurer; Ruth Mizuba, President; Waichi Ouye and Walter Patton, Secretaries. Roy Oness, Vice President, is not in the picture. Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 12, 2002, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, September 14, 1987, accessed via Newspapers.com.

Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 24, 1981, accessed via Newspapers.com.

1987-1988--Historic Preservation

Waichi Ouye had many talents, including historian and chronicler. These talents came in handy when the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts funded an exhibition of photos on Historic Buildings of Hilo and the Hamakua Coast. A committee was formed to develop criteria and guidelines for the inventory and selection of historic buildings to be included in the project. Waichi Ouye represented Hakalau on this committee, along with Tadao Okimoto of Papaikou; Larry Kadooka and Irene P. Suda of Hilo; Leon H. Bruno, Lyman House Memorial Museum and Mission House  director; and Brian Y. Tanimoto, museum creator and the researcher and photographer. (Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald, January 8, 1988, accessed via Newspapers.com).

1998--Down Memory Lane with Future Farmers of America

​Sixty four years after attending the national FFA conference in Hilo, Waichi Ouye and other members gathered before the tree they planted.

Volunteering with Jane

He and Jane were very active with church activities and community work.  They both volunteered for many years at the information desk at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo. Jane Ouye passed away in 2009, ​

Hawaii Tribune Herald, April 29, 2005, accessed via Newspapers.com.

2008

Akiko Masuda and Waichi Ouye at the 2008 "Wailea-Hakalau: A Walk Back in Time". Photo courtesy of Dave Gallagher.

​In 2008, “Wailea-Hakalau: A Walk Back in Time” at Akiko’s Buddhist Bed and Breakfast, provided 94-year-old Waichi Ouye another opportunity to teach and to support his community by sharing stories of his life in Hakalau. His students were not Boy Scouts and their leaders, or others working in sugar…they were mostly newcomers to Hakalau. For many, this was their introduction to plantation and Buddhist values.

Today, Waichi Ouye serves as a role model for an active, engaged retirement.
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We are grateful for his many contributions to the community.