Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 3, 1 March 1988 — 'Only Helping Out' with Hoʻolokahi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Only Helping Out' with Hoʻolokahi

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Ho'olokahi was a massive undertaking but to an experienced organizer like Hawaii businessman and Waimea rancher Larry Mehau it was just another effort in "only helping out." Mehau, who steadfastly prefers to remain in the background, took over the organizational planning when asked and went full steam ahead. The result was the successful staging of Ho'olokahi on Jan. 23. Mehau, however, is quick to give due credit to those who accepted his eall for kokua. Even his wife and children were deeply involved, handling telephone calls, contacting people, taking care of a hundred and one chores at the stadium and looking after special guests. He put together the sharpest show business minds in Hawaii to give more than 50,000 people an outstanding five-hour entertainment extravaganza. Mehau left nothing to ehanee. He was on top of the entire situation, coordinating and repeatedly following up on the food, fire wood, refrigerated containers, food containers, manpower, tables, tents, stoves, entertainers and all aspects connected with the program.

Charles Heen, chairman of the planning eommittee, and Kamaki A. Kanahele III, administrator of the sponsoring Office of Hawaiian Affairs, are flabbergasted and yet sincerely thankful for the work done by this Hawaiian. The unselfish Mehau, owner and president of one of Hawaii's largest security firms, is a Hawaiian who gives back to his fellow Hawaiians and his community. His Hawaii Protective Association, incidentally, is observing its 25th anniversary this year. On behalf of the committee and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kanahele extends a heartfelt mahalo to Mehau and the several thousand who blended their talents, money, manpower and equipment to make Ho'olokahi the success it turned out to be. Mehau is of course happy at the success of his project but his most joyous moments are with his family and especially his two mo'opunas, Anna and Manna Mehau.

Larry Mehau is caught in a grandfather!y moment with one of his mo'opunas while taking care of business with, from left to right, Frank DeLima, Loyal Garner and Brickwood Galuteria walking towards DeLima.