KAILUA-KONA — Fifty years in, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce isn’t slowing down.
Since its incorporation in 1968, the Chamber has consistently pushed to promote local businesses, particularly as the region’s economy has become increasingly focused on tourism and away from agriculture.
In its early years, said executive director Wendy Laros, the Chamber’s priorities included a better airport for Kona as well as doubling cruise ship arrivals — from one a year to two.
Today, the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole welcomes visitors from throughout the world and several cruise ships arrive in Kailua Bay every month.
And later this month, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its five decades of advocacy at a gala at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, with a cocktail hour starting at 5 p.m. and dinner and dancing to follow from 6-10 p.m.
Reservations are required by Tuesday and Laros said they are close to being sold out.
“We are really excited to celebrate being in existence for 50 years,” Laros said Friday.
Celebrating the Chamber is also about celebrating the people who have led and contributed to the Chamber’s success, Laros said, and “to honor those people who worked so hard to get us to where we are.”
That includes people like Bill Mielcke, who was vice president of the board when the Chamber was first incorporated. Mielcke will be a guest at the upcoming gala.
“So many dedicated people, past and present, have contributed to the Chamber’s mission of providing leadership and advocacy for a successful business environment in West Hawaii,” she said. “We feel it’s important to highlight these positive efforts and celebrate accomplishment.”
Sponsoring the event is a slate of Hawaii businesses. Among them are West Hawaii Today, Lanihau Center and ALTRES Staffing.
ALTRES Staffing’s regional manager, Michelle Conrey, who also chairs the Chamber’s membership committee, also spoke to the importance of taking time to recognize milestones as well as the people who have helped the organization along the last five decades.
“For all the people that have helped the community and helped the chamber grow, I think it’s a nice opportunity to say ‘thank you,’” she said.
Conrey said ALTRES Staffing too is celebrating 50 years and said they find common ground with the Chamber through a focus on supporting businesses in the area.
“As a company, we’ve always been about small businesses and helping the community as much as we can,” she said. “I think being more involved is always better than not.”
The Chamber, she said, offers businesses and business leaders plenty of opportunities to connect and network with one another as well as stay in the loop in regards to what’s happening throughout the region.
And the gala, she said, is a great chance to honor those who laid the foundation for the decades of advocacy that the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce has brought to the region.
“I think life goes past too fast, and celebrating the big events is important,” Conrey said Friday. “And 50 years is a big event.”
Registration for the event is available through https://bit.ly/2A87pqg.
