The Wai`anae Coast Community Mental Health Center, Inc., dba Hale Na`au Pono began offering services as a non-profit organization in 1987.  The Center replaced a State-run clinic delivering such inadequate services that community members had asked that it be shut down.  In response to the request, collaborative work began among community members to establish a new form of service delivery.  As a result, the Wai`anae Coast Community Mental Health Center, Inc. became an independent, private, non-profit agency governed by a community based Board of Directors. Hale Na`au Pono was selected by the State of Hawaii as a demonstration model of a community mental health center.

As of May 2006:

President & Chair of the Executive Committee:

Florene Pell, a resident of the Waianae Coast since 1958, has served as Secretary to the Board of Directors and as Chair for the Program Committee.  Ms. Pell is a graduate of the University of Illinois and for over 35 years has worked on the Waianae Coast as a Speech Pathologist with the Department of Education.  Ms. Pell's tireless efforts at volunteerism make her a name known in most homes on the coast.  To mention a few of her endeavors, she is on the State Planning Commission, Waianae Area, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Co-Chair of the Hui Hana Pono Advisory Board, Public Relations Chair for Special Olympics, a member of the Wai`anae Coast Community Clean-Up Effort and the President of the Makaha Shores Condominium.  Ms. Pell has served as a judge for the Leeward Oahu District Spelling Bee as a "Pronouncer", for over ten year.

Vice President & Member of the Executive Committee:

Margaret Aikala Kahele is a life long resident of Waianae, Hawaii.  She is a Native Hawaiian and a graduate of our coastal schools.  Ms. Kahele has worked with residents suffering from mental retardation and also with serious mental illness.  Ms. Kahele maintains a strong belief that the efforts she contributes to her community will ultimately serve to improve the quality of life on the Waianae Coast.

Secretaries & Members of the Executive Committee:

Gail Pictum is a resident on the Waianae Coast.

Treasurer & Member of the Executive and Finance Committee

Puanani Burgess, a community member and native Hawaiian was elected as WCCMHC's first Board of Director's President in 1987.  Ms. Burgess also holds a Bachelors degree in English from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and also attended the UH Richardson School of Law.  Her expertise in such areas as Community-Based Economic Development and Native Hawaiian Values have proven to be a tremendous asset and the longevity of her board involvement lends a unique, valued stability.  She is also in demand as a public speaker.  Ms. Burgess was the recipient of the the 1999 Small Business Advocate of the year award.  She is also an ordained Zen Priest at the Daihonzan Chozen-ji Buddhist Church in Kalihi.

Directors:

Annette Hikichi is a property owner in Wai`anae and has taught at Wai`anae Elementary School -- She has a 30 year history as an elementary teacher.  Ms. Hikichi graduated from the University of Hawaii, Manoa with a Bachelors of Education Degree.  She has been active in volunteerism, her volunteer efforts have included, Hui Ho`ola O Na` Nahulu O Hawaii, District Court and the American Cancer Society.

Al Matusevich has worked with the Department of Education for over thirty years employed in our community by the Leeward School District.  Mr. Matusevich joined our Board of Directors several years ago.  He is familiar with the needs and services of the local population here on the coast and has worked with tremendous energy to see that those services are adequately provided to meet the needs of the local community.

Robert Mole, a Native Hawaiian has served on WCCMHC's Board of Directors for the past several years.  His intense desire to develop, implement and support efforts which promote the Health & Safety of the coastal residents continue to drive his service, not only on our Board of Directors, but on the board of Ho`o Mau ke Ola, another community board organization aiding the substance abuse treatment in our community, and on the board of Legal Services for Children, an agency concerned with the legal rights of children in our community. Mr. Mole is also a volunteer with the Wai`anae High School in the area of fundraising for the band.

Father Sebastian Chako has resided on the Wai`anae Coast for the past several years and serves as the priest for the Sacred Hearts Parish.  He has also traveled extensively and brings to the Board a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Patricia Wilczynski resides on the Wai`anae Coast. She is an advocate for consumers who suffer from mental illness.  Her interests involve, caring for adults who are incapable of getting around, canoe paddling, and raising pets.

Joan Peters - New Board Member 2008

Beverly Rae Borden -  New Board Member 2008

Rocky Naeole - New Board Member 2008

Hale Na`au Pono's Board of Directors remain committed to service delivery that promotes, encourages and supports the mental, physical, spiritual, social, and cultural well-being of the people within our community.