BLAKE CONANT,  BOARD PRESIDENT
Born and raised in Hanalei, Blake left Kaua'i to attend Kamehameha HS and then on to Massachusetts, where he earned his BA in English Literature. He owned a computer retailing business for 10 years and after selling the business, worked for Hewlett Packard Co. where he worked as a corporate sales executive for some of our country’s largest companies. 

GAYLORD WILCOX, TREASURER
Gaylord Wilcox is the great great grandson of missionaries who taught in Hanalei in the mid-1800s. He is a part-time Kaua'i resident, spending most of his time in Honolulu. He attended grammar school in Lihue from kindergarten to 8th grade, and raised children in Hanalei from 1975-82. He is a former book publisher and current owner of Hanalei Center. In his free time, he is an avid outrigger canoe paddler.

NAOMI YOKOTAKE, BOARD DIRECTOR
Naomi Yokotake is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and obtained her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. She is the Kumu Hula of Halau O Hanalei, the Cultural Director at Hale Halawai 'Ohana O Hanalei and the creator of original Halele’a Exploration Program curriculum and remains active as the lead volunteer. She was employed as an elementary school teacher with the Hawaii DOE for over 30 years and is a founding board member of Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei. She is also the Choir Director at Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church and past president of the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club. 

WICKI VAN DE VEER, VICE PRESIDENT
Wicki Van De Veer retired to Hanalei after a career as a Social Worker and Administrator for the County of Santa Cruz, California. She also cofounded and served as Co Director for the non-profit Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center which just marked it's 40th anniversary. She earned a BA in the Humanities at University of California Berkeley and a BA in Fine Art at University of California at Santa Cruz. She serves as a board member for Hale Halawai and volunteers as one of the art teachers for the Halele'a Cultural Exploration Program.

CHARLIE COWDEN, BOARD DIRECTOR
Charlie Cowden moved to Kauai in 1970. He started Hanalei Surf Company in 1982. Over the years, he has grown his business and expanded to own other local businesses. He is an avid surfer and supports the local community through various endeavors.  

PRESLEY WANN, BOARD DIRECTOR
Presley Wann was born in 1949 and raised on Oahu. He traces his Hawaiian ancestry to Ha’ena and Kalalau valleys of Kaua’i and to Nihoa island, Papahānaumokuākea. He retired in 2014 as a construction supervisor with 47 years of construction experience. He has served or is serving on the Kaua’i/ Niihau Burial Council under Governors Cayetano and Lingle administrations, Na Kalae Wa’a, Waipa Foundation, Malama Kua’aina, Holomua Marine Advisory Committee, and is currently serving as President of the Hui Maka’ainana O Makana. Married with two daughters and four grandchildren, Presley enjoys taro farming, traveling, and being in or on the ocean.

MARAU BECK, BOARD DIRECTOR
Info coming soon