The Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community is the "spark" for the greater Wailea/Hakalau community in terms of sponsored events and the spirit of cooperation. Stories and shared wisdom of area elders provided the vision for the values and priorities we carry into the future. Here are the latest updates on key milestones from the past year related to Hakalau School and The Ancestors Who Want Their Stories Told:

Hakalau School

At the end of October our long held vision of returning the abandoned Hakalau School building and grounds to community control and community use was finally confirmed in writing from the State Department of Education.  The Department was awarded $80,000 in the past legislative session to complete the environmental remediation work which clears the way for reversion of the property to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).  The final step of long term disposition (lease or otherwise) to WVHPC is likely to happen sometime in 2025. 
This milestone is a tribute to Akiko's 8+ years of unwavering commitment to the vision of creating a community learning center; thousands of hours of Green Team volunteer labor restoring and maintaining the Hakalau School grounds, and the skills and patience of WVHPC Vice-President, Brad Kurokawa in helping us navigate relationships with state agencies, elected officials and community partners.  Clearly- it takes a village- and 2023 was another banner year of hard work, steady progress and many blessings.


​The Ancestors Want Their Stories Told

Our next major historic preservation effort aims to shine a light on the untold stories of plantation era families from Wailea and Hakalau.  We envision a multi-media approach that includes recording and filming 50 individual "talk-story" interviews that will be developed into a widely distributed documentary available in print, video and multi-media formats like YouTube and the hakalauhome website.  

Akiko will serve as narrator and introduce the film with the inspiring story of finding her own "forever home" in Wailea Village over thirty years ago. The creative team is led by freelance historian Heather Fryer and videographer Easten Tanimoto. 
 
The budget is approximately $15,000 for research, writing, production, editing and distribution.  More importantly, the time for honoring and preserving these stories is now because the living descendants of our local plantation era families are fewer with every passing year. Please join Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community (WVHPC)  and our partners at Hakalau Jodo Mission in the creation of this living history legacy project.  Your gift of $50, $100, $500 or more ensures that these precious stories will be fully honored and preserved. 
Aloha Friends of Akiko & Wailea Village:

I wonder if you remember the first time you noticed this message above the door to the Artist's Studio next to the Garage Gallery entrance?  Perhaps you were a first time B&B guest on your way to breakfast from Pu'uhonua or Hale Aloha House, a neighbor on your early morning walk past Akiko's, or a "lost" tourist discovering the quiet charms of Wailea Village after wandering off the Belt Highway in search of Kolekole Beach Park or Akaka Falls?  

Our friend Akiko is clearly rooted to the source and living a life of service we all admire. In addition to founding the non-profit Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community (WVHPC)  more than 20 years ago her vision, leadership and energy are constantly creating opportunities and inspiration for each of us to be of service, wherever we are, according to our interests and abilities.
The Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community (WVHPC) was formed in 2002 with the mission: 
  1. to preserve the historic old buildings of Wailea Village that they may provide housing and services, 
  2. to maintain the rural nature of the environment, and 
  3. to sustain the country lifestyle for the current community and for generations to come. 

Events initiated and organized through the Community include Cemetery Stewardship, Reviving Hakalau School, and Senior Luncheons at the Jodo Mission.  
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If you're thinking all of this costs money, you're right!  Currently, our WVHPC community events are supported entirely by contributions from local friends and former B&B guests from around the world. We have no debt and are working to build our property reserve funds depleted from the purchase of Hale Aloha House in 2013. Please consider joining the Friends of Wailea Village with a tax deductible annual pledge of:
  • $60 ($5/month)
  • $120 ($10/month)
  • or more...
  • a gift of any amount for the property fund

Contact us for free, confidential assistance with planned gifts or bequests of any kind.

With sincere gratitude for your consideration and support.
 
Garry Wyckoff
WVHPC Board Member
Friend of Akiko & Wailea Village
Mail checks payable to WVHPC: 
P.O. Box 272 
Hakalau, HI 96710
Or donate electronically through:
For the Hakalau Kuleana, our responsibility is to care for the land, the people, and the culture. We are guided by cultural values of YESTERDAY: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us. Aloha and Mālama `Aina. In 2021, Akiko Masuda added two more values to the list: Consistently show up. Whatever has to be done, jump in and do it!