Some WCA History
The Waialua Community Association is a non-profit organization of concerned North Shore residents giving of their time and effort for the betterment of the community.
Over the years, the WCA has completed many projects and sponsored many activities.
1934, a group of local residents met to hear proposals from Mr. Frank Midkiff to form a Waialua Community Club. At that time, no one realized that the impact and influence that the WCA would have as the granddaddy and model for more than sixty Community Associations on Oahu and the neighbor islands.
Mr. Midkiff’s idea was to make rural life more attractive. Two projects were to be undertaken first – cooperation with the Honolulu Academy of Arts and with the Library of Hawaii.
1936 - Plans were made for a Community Center building. The Waialua Japanese Civic Club donated the first contribution of $3,000 toward the building, which was constructed in 1937 and dedicated in October of that year.
1937 - Incorporation papers were granted
1938 - The Bylaws were completed and stated:“The object of the Association shall be to develop a unified community spirit. To study the needs of the community and to support such projects as will further its interests culturally, morally and physically.” Today, as yesterday, the trustees and members continue to work toward these goals.
The Association’s building was turned over to the USO during the war years of 1942-1946. Recreation was provided for servicemen and women. During this period, the Association did not function as an organization, but the work carried on by the USO is what the Association would have done under similar circumstances.
Toward the last few years of the war, the Association allotted $50,000 for the Waialua Branch Library, which was completed and dedicated in 1952.
1947 - A Juvenile Delinquency Committee was formed to curb the delinquency in the area, which according to the police department and former secretary Edna Reese was very successful.
1948, the Association conducted, organized and influenced many events. A Chest X-ray survey, where 85% of the community over the age of 15 participated, the Waialua Blood Reserved was started and more than 1,000 people benefited, actively worked in see that Waialua High School changed from a two-year to a four-year school, and participated in a joint effort with the Waialua Athletic Association to sponsor the community carnival.
1949, long before the Civil Defense was established, the Association formed a Community Association Disaster committee, they also worked hard to have street lights installed as well as signs placed to mark the entrance into Haleiwa Town.
1950, the Annual Dinner Meeting was held for the first time in the Community Center. John Midkiff was honored on his birthday, and 225 people came to extend their best wishes. That summer, an organized Summer Fun Program started.
1951 and 1952, major repairs were done to the building and the outdoor circle along with 101 volunteers helped to plan and beautify the grounds.
1953, one of the largest drives by the Blood Bank was held at the Association and the entire community was visited in a house-to-house canvas for donors. The Association formed a committee to have every street, road or name in the district given an appropriate Hawaiian or Caucasian name, without duplication.
1954 – 1955 were busy years for the Association, when they helped to ensure a cafeteria and agricultural building be added at the Waialua High School, a break wall in the Haleiwa Bay, and additional classrooms at the Waialua Elementary School.
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