Officers

With the president overseeing the entire organization, LCA vice presidents take responsibility over a range of committees and concerns which board members and other officers chair.

Committee Assignments:

• Government Relations: Pane Meatoga, Junior Ah You
• Parks & Recreation: Tipa Galea’i
• Public Relations: Kevin Schlag, Verla Moore
• Safety/Health: Kela Miller
• Housing/Infrastructure: Junior Ah You
• Economic Development: Verla Moore, Carol Feinga, Pane Meatoga
• Culture/Environment: Ka’umaelani Walk
• Membership/Education: BJ Kahawaii

Special Projects:

• Bike Path: Junior Ah You, Kevin Schlag
• Flooding/Drainage: Kevin Schlag, Pane Meatoga, Junior Ah You
• Emergency Task Force: Kevin Schlag, Kela Miller
• Crime Task Force: Kela Miller

BOARD MEMBERS

Pane Meatoga Jr., President
Pane, who was born in Honolulu, grew up in Laie and, on his mother’s side, is related to the extensive Kekauoha family. His late father was the first Honolulu Fire Department firefighter of Samoan ancestry. After graduating from Kahuku High in 1976, he went to work in the PCC maintenance department. He later worked at Laie Quarry and in the construction industry. He’s currently a heavy equipment operator, considers himself more of a handyman, and built his own two-story home on the corner of Iosepa and Lanihuli Streets. Pane and his wife, Rita, who is originally from Kahuku, have 5 children and 1 grandchild. In his spare time, Pane says he likes to play with his children. “I would like to see Laie become politically active,” he adds.

Barbara Jean Kahawaii, Vice President
B. J. was born in Michigan while her father was stationed there in the Air Force, but the family soon returned to Laie. She graduated from Kahuku High in 1977 and attended BYUH before she married Robert Kahawaii, who recently retired from the Navy after serving for 30 years. The couple, who now have 6 children, have lived all over the US and other parts of the world on military assignment. After they moved back to Laie several years ago, B. J. joined her oldest daughter as a student at BYU Hawaii and recently graduated in elementary education. “I look forward to serving the community of Laie the best that I can,” she said.

Tipa Galea’i

Junior Ah You, Vice President
Following standout athletic performance at Kahuku High, Junior went off to Arizona State on football scholarship, where he earned All-American honors. When he wasn’t playing or studying, Junior and his wife, Almira, toured the Intermountain West putting on luaus and Polynesian shows. Then came 12 years with the Montreal Alouettes — for which he was recently inducted into the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, and two more years of professional football, before he decided to return to his home town of Lä’ie. Junior is widely known for his support of local athletics, youth activities, chicken barbecues, and “blowout” New Year’s Eve block parties. Junior has also been instrumental in developing and sustaining the annual New Year’s Day Concert of Stars for the past 10 years. He was recently inducted into the Hawaii State Hall of Fame. Junior’s LCA responsibilities include parks and recreation. For example, he helps coordinates the use of Laie Park. He also works with Laie fishermen on access to Hukilau Beach.

Kevin Schlag
Kevin and his family have lived in La’ie since 1996. He works for BYU-Hawaii, currently as the director of Enterprise Information Systems. His children attend Kahuku Intermediate and La’ie Elementary. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from BYU-Provo, and his masters in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University. “We love living here, and it feels like home,” Kevin says of La’ie. “I’m hoping to do my small part to help the community move forward while respecting the past.”

Ka’umealani Walk

Kela Miller, Vice President

Carol Feinga

Ex-Officio Positions
Kathy Pulotu, Recording Secretary
Ted Maeda, Treasurer