News Releases

Wednesday, July 31, 2002

PARKER RANCH TRANSFERS KAHILU TOWN HALL TO WAIMEA YMCA

WAIMEA, BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII - Parker Ranch on Hawaii ‘s Big Island recently transferred the lease of Waimea’s Kahilu Town Hall to the Island of Hawaii YMCA . The lease transfer was celebrated at a special ceremony at Kahilu Town Hall on Thursday, August 1.

The YMCA was designated by former Parker Ranch owner Richard Smart to receive land as part of Parker Ranch’s 2020 Plan that the community and the YMCA participated in developing. The transfer of Kahilu Town Hall marks the fulfillment of Smart’s promise.

On-hand at the celebration were Bob Masuda, president/CEO of the Island of Hawaii YMCA; Wayne Kamitaki, president of the corporate board of the Island of Hawaii YMCA, Al Frankel, chair of the Waimea branch YMCA board; Dr. Kimura, YMCA volunteer; and Tom Whittemore and Mel Hewett, Parker Ranch trustees.

“We are thrilled to work with the Island of Hawaii YMCA ,” said Parker Ranch trustee Tom Whittemore. ” Kahilu Town Hall is a landmark in Waimea, a pivot point in our community. We’re happy to transfer the lease to the YMCA, an organization that works explicitly for the community.”

All previous reservations for events at Kahilu Town Hall will be honored by the YMCA, and the organization will continue to work with the community providing space when YMCA programs are not planned. The YMCA will run many of its group programs for youth incorporating the use of the multi-purpose park. It will lease the park from Parker Ranch for $1 per year, maintaining the park and using it for youth programs.

The YMCA has been serving the people of Hawaii since 1869 through programs and activities that foster the development of the total person. Through its long history, it has touched the lives of many individuals by providing far reaching programs and activities dedicated to the development of the spiritual, physical, mental and social needs of its members. On the Big Island , the YMCA has a history that spans more than 75 years. It serves the multi-varied needs of its members through its three branches - the Waiakea Settlement YMCA, the Kona Family YMCA and the Waimea Family YMCA. To better serve its members, these branches are unified under the corporate organization called The Island of Hawaii YMCA.

Parker Ranch is one of the largest ranches in the United States , spanning over 225,000 acres across the Big Island of Hawaii. It surrounds the town of Waimea and spreads between the Kohala and Mauna Kea mountains. The ranch is owned by the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust for the benefit of four local charities: North Hawaii Community Hospital , Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Parker School Trust and Hawaii Community Foundation.