‘An evening of celebration’

Attendees at the 50th anniversary Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce gala pose for a commemorative shot. “Mahalo to Bill and his colleagues in providing leadership in forming our Chamber and the impact that action has had on our community a half-century later,” said chamber Executive Director Wendy Laros. “We are very grateful to the vision and follow-through of those before us.”

Co-Chairs of Young Professionals Leadership Council - Elizabeth Elkjer and T. Ilihia Gionson holding Kawai Gionson.

Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Anniversary Gala in the Naupaka Ballroom at the Marriott Waikoloa.

Past board chairs, from left: Ross Wilson, Jr., 1988-89; Peter Young, 1989-90; Ron Aronson, 2000-02 and 2006-07; J. William Sanborn, 2009-11; Debbie Baker, 2011-13; and Dale Suezaki, 2015-2017.

William Mielcke, Jr., Founding officer in 1968. Although not in attendance, the Chamber has honored Bill with the KKCC 50th Anniversary Founder’s Award.

From left: Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Laros; and board members Dale Suezaki, Teri Leicher, Pam Latinis, Steven Kaneko, Sharon Sakai and Mark Leong. For more photos of this event, see Business on page 5A. (Kirk Shorte/Kirk Shorte photography)