From the President’s Desk
WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR, THE ELKS? As we have considered our lease negotiation, I’ve learned a lot about our neighbors. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by my recent interactions with the Elks’ leadership and have a newfound understanding of the organization and its members.
As we consider common challenges ahead, I thought it might be helpful to share some of the insights I’ve recently gained. History The Elks Lodge 616 was founded on O‘ahu in 1901 and leased their first physical space in a modest building on Beretania and Miller Streets. In 1920, Mrs. James B. Castle sold her 155,000 sq. ft. property in the “countryside” of Waikīkī to the Elks. When her husband passed away in
Common Challenges We are both stewards of these beautiful properties that are precious as well as a
tremendous responsibility. We have the same environmental challenges. We also have similar operational challenges such as limited parking, homeless visitors and a diverse membership that is sometimes hard to please. Elks and OCC management teams have collaborated on solving several of these issues in the past and will continue to do so in the future. As neighbors, are there opportunities to support each other? Think joint fundraising for selective causes, joint sports events and contests that combine athletic teams and events when the participation numbers are low. We are quite dierent in many respects, but who knows, in small bites, one and one just might equal three. While some have voiced perceptions of ill-will between the Elks and OCC, my experience with Elks’ leadership over the past year is quite the contrary. Make no mistake, we both approach lease negotiations with a business mindset, but we are joined together in many ways. Respecting each of our long-held traditions, addressing our common challenges and remaining stewards of our beautiful property seems to continue to be the right path forward.
1918, the property was simply more than Mrs. Castle could manage and she sold it to the Elks for a very reasonable fee. In February 1957, after several failed attempts to purchase the Ewa side, the OCC entered into a long-term lease with the Elks. Steeped in Tradition Designated a 501 c8, the Elks is a Fraternal Beneficiary Society whose common purpose is to improve the quality of life in local Elks communities by supporting projects like helping youth develop life-long skills, sending students to college, and meeting the needs of local veterans. Honolulu Elks donates $400,000 to $500,000 annually to many local causes. They have a paddling program, a swimming pool and an overall family atmosphere. The national organization provides guidance/rules for keeping its 501 c8 status, but beyond that, the local lodge makes its own decisions. Designated a 501 c7, the OCC is a non-profit organization and is arguably the premier ocean sports club in the world. Our longtime mission has been to perpetuate a place where “man may commune with the sun and sand and sea, where good fellowship and aloha prevail and where the sports of old Hawai‘i shall always have a home.” We also invest in charitable organizations, but our common bond is the fellowship and the perpetuation of old Hawai‘i sports.
Laurie Foster President
4 AMA | JULY / AUGUST 2022
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