The rural town of Pepe‘ekeo (population 1462), on the Hamakua coast of Hawai‘i Island, has an extraordinary community organization. It's thanks to its president, Tracey Wise, who grew up spending time there with her grandparents and who now brings her academic and cultural knowledge to organizing there.
She didn't get involved just to hear problems, she explains. She and the local people on her committees gather people around positive interests, to stay ahead of problems as much as possible. The ocean access group has 150 members.
Check out this interview and see what Tracey and Pepe‘ekeo are doing about hunting, fishing access, emergency preparedness, youth education, police and fire substations, and more
The next Pepe‘ekeo community meetings are at the Kula'imano Community Center on February 16 and March 16, 2025. Mayor Kimo Alameda will attend the March 16th meeting to learn about the community's initiatives and needs. #hawaiiisland #hawaii #community #communityorganizing
The Pepeekeo Community Development Corpopration website: www.pepeekeocommunity.org