Upholding Legacy, Empowering the Future:
Our Board’s Commitment to Kaʻū
Kaʻū is rugged, remote, and resilient—home to generations of warriors who never surrendered and never lost a battle, even to King Kamehameha. That proud legacy lives on through our Board of Directors.
Rooted in the strength of our Kupunas and the land itself, the Mālama Kaʻū Foundation Board leads with purpose—preserving our cultural heritage, empowering our people, and building a future shaped by a deep sense of family, community, self-determination, and service.
We don’t just serve the Kaʻū community—we are the Kaʻū community.
Our NHO's Board of Directors
CAPT Mel Yokoyama Jr, USN (retired)
Founder & Board Chairman*Native Hawaiian
Kauwilakalaokalani Kaina Papalauahi “K” Liufau
Board Vice Chairman*Native Hawaiian
Jeff Abish
Board Treasurer
CAPT Wesley Sanders, USN (retired)
Board Director*Native Hawaiian
* Officially Registered as a Native Hawaiian with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) – documented family lineage living in Hawaii prior to 1778.
Want to support the Ka'u Community?
The largest commerce in Ka'u was sugar and leading the industry during its prime was Hawaiian Agriculture Co and Hutchinson Sugar Plantation Co.Hawaiian Agriculture Co was established in 1876 but did not start producing sugar cane until 1880. Locally, it was known as the Pahala Plantation but legally the corporation was filed as the Hawaiian Agricultural Co. The company employed many workers including immigrants from Philippines, Japan, Portugal, and others. Corporate housing projects were built to provide living quarters for staff and added to the community of Pahala. The founders were Peter C. Jones, Charles R. Bishop, J.D. Brewer, and H.A.P. Carter.