Waipahu Community Association

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN STRENGTHENING WAIPAHUS CAPACITY TO CREATE AND PURSUE, THROUGH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES, COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES; TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL VITALITY AND IMAGE OF WAIPAHU, AND TO ENSURE THAT WAIPAHU WILL BE AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, VISIT AND DO BUSINESS.

THE WAIPAHU COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HELPED TO REVITALIZE AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN WAIPAHU BY PROVIDING AN OPEN FARMERS MARKET VENUE THAT LOCAL PRODUCE VENDORS AND SHOP OWNERS CAN SELL THEIR PRODUCTS. THE COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO ACCESS AND PURCHASE LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE, MEATS AND SEAFOOD AT PRICES SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN AREA RETAIL SUPERMARKETS. THIS ALLOWS HOUSEHOLDS TO STRETCH FOOD BUDGETS FURTHER WHILE PROVIDING ACCESS TO FRESH AND HEALTHY FOODS. IN ADDITION, THE MARKETPLACE CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A GATHERING PLACE TO HOLD COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS ETHNIC CELEBRATIONS AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ANNUAL TASTE OF WAIPAHU EVENT. DUE TO THE LARGE ATTENDANCE EVERY YEAR, THE TASTE OF WAIPAHU EVENT WAS MOVED TO AN AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SURROUNDED BY NEIGHBORHOODS, PARKING ACCESSIBILITY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ARE IN SHORTER DISTANCES AND A MORE ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR ATTENDEES. THIS EVENT SHOWCASES LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS, AREA SCHOOLS AND CELEBRATES COMMUNITY PRIDE. IN 2023, THE EVENT WAS MOVED AGAIN TO THE CURRENT DON QUIJOTE (DQ) STORE PARKING LOT TO SUPPORT DQ. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE STORE MAY CLOSE DUE TO IT'S LEASE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE LANDLORD.

IN ADDITION, WCA HAS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER LOCATED IN ITS OFFICE SPACE TO PROVIDE MICRO-ENTERPRISE CLASSES, EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS WORKSHOPS, AND ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES SUCH AS TABLETS, LAPTOPS, COPIERS, FAX AND INTERNET ACCESS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC INCLUDING SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS. THIS PROGRAM HAS A SATELLITE CENTER IN THE PUPU AREA TO SERVE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND ADULTS. THE PUPU AREA IS A LOW-INCOME AREA IN WAIPAHU WITH A PREDOMINANT MIGRANT POPULATION KNOWN IN THE PAST TO HAVE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND OTHER RELATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES. BOTH CENTERS PROVIDE SUPPORT ANDSERVICES TO OVER 2,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. FURTHER, WCA ESTABLISHED THE HEAL PROJECT IN 2016 THROUGH BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS AND TROLLEY RIDES TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES, ENHANCE COMMUNITY SPIRIT, ATTRACT PEOPLE AND NEW CLIENTELE TO WAIPAHU AND PERPETUATE THE COMMUNITYS RICH HISTORY THROUGH DIALOGUE AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER AREA ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS,SCHOOLS, CIVIC CLUBS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. FINALLY, WCA PARTICIPATES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS THE WAIPAHU FAMILY FUN DAY, AREA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, CHRISTMAS PARADE, HEALTH PROGRAMS AND OTHERS.