About Waikoloa Village

Waikoloa Village is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, 6 miles from the Kohala Coast. Although less than 10 years old, Waikoloa Village Outdoor Circle has made quite a difference for the village. Its first project, the beautification of the median that serves as the entrance to Waikoloa Village, turned an ugly eyesore into a community asset. The WVOC continues to maintain the median through membership fees, fund raising projects, and special solicitations to property developers and realtors.

In 2007, four large and very old wiliwili trees were found on a commercial project in the village that was being developed. WVOC consulted with the developer and arranged to have these trees along with four other smaller wiliwili trees moved safely out of harm’s way. The four small trees were moved to the median and the most beautiful tree was moved to a prominent corner in Waikoloa Village. WVOC is working with local landscaping companies to develop this corner into a beautiful park to make this corner into a beautiful park for all the residents and visitors to enjoy the tree whose blossom is the Waikoloa Village logo.

The most ambitious current project for WVOC is the Dry Forest Recovery Project. With the blessing of the Waikoloa Village Association, WVOC has undertaken the stewardship of 250 acres within Waikoloa Village. This community-based effort will preserve and restore a very special, unique wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicense) dry-forest currently home to 13 endangered uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kavaiense) trees and approximately 80 wiliwili trees. There are only 30 wild uhiuhi remaining in the entire world.

To date WVOC has contracted for the removal of fountain grass 50 feet from the 11 endangered uhiuhi and 20 of the wiliwili to save the trees from wildfire, one of many threats. A grant has been awarded and other funding sources identified. An extensive network of supporters, both lay and expert, has been growing along with the plans. All generations will have the opportunity to “own” this project. There will be the “Kid Connection” for Waikoloa Elementary School children and research opportunities for University of Hawaii students.

WVOC meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the community room for the Waikoloa Village Association.

The 2008 board members are: